Special Chapter Meeting, May 11, 2016

Post date: Apr 24, 2016 12:0:51 AM

At our April 20 Chapter Meeting, we discussed whether the Chapter should accept a $10,000 grant from the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Community Investment Program..

Some members argued that the grant should be declined because they oppose the Pipeline and do not want to be associated with ACPCIP, felt the grant was intended to portray SVTU as aligned with the ACP, felt the grant created a conflict of interest, or feared that acceptance of the grant would create conflict and disunity between chapter members.

Other members argued that the grant should be accepted because they thought ACP construction would not have longer-term negative effects on cold water fisheries, the ACP was part of developing a transitional source of energy to replace coal that is more harmful to cold water fisheries, TU national has not opposed the ACP, we have a long history of accepting grant money from Dominion and would probably accept ACP mediation grants, the grant would allow us to do projects consistent with our mission, or the grant would establish a relationship with ACPIP that might result in the Chapter being included in ACP mediation programs.

Because opinions were evenly divided and the absence of a quorum, we voted to table the issue until a special meeting to decide the issue on Wednesday, May 11, 6:30 at the South River Fly Shop. That meeting will replace our regular monthly chapter meeting, and we will also be making final plans for the Waynesboro Fly Tournament.

Jim