We are in the midst of a once-in-a-generation build-out of major interstate pipelines to move natural gas from the Marcellus shale region to markets, other transmission lines, and export terminals on the East Coast. If not properly managed, this construction boom could have major impacts on the streams and forests of the Delaware River Basin states, and the fish and wildlife that live there.
TU works with partners in government agencies, the conservation community, and industry to find ways to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts from pipeline construction. For this project, we identified overlapping areas of ecological concern in the Delaware River Basin states. Using GIS datasets, we plotted locations that are critical to the protection of important coldwater fisheries, high water quality, intact lands, and biodiversity, including wild trout streams, waters with special regulatory protections, state Natural Heritage Program sites, and public lands.
We developed an interactive web-based map as a user-friendly tool for anyone who wants to assess the ecological impacts of major pipeline proposals in the Basin, including:
- Industry: To inform and guide route selection during the planning phases of major interstate pipelines.
- Agencies: To evaluate routes, set permit conditions, and assess mitigation needs.
- Conservation professionals: To support science-based discussions when analyzing major pipeline proposals with industry and agencies.
Use the following links to: Download a GIS dataset (zip file), read our methods report (pdf), or visit our Story Map highlighting 3 special places.