EQT Corp. Will Spray WV Gas Lines Soon (Helicopters)

Helicopter Spray Controls Vegetation

Herbicide will control vegetation growth

Submitted to The Morgantown Dominion Post, on Page 9-A, May 4, 2013.

 EQT Corp. will use the aerial application of herbicides to help maintain the rights-of-way (ROW) for some of its gas transmission and gathering lines throughout select counties in West Virginia. The program is designed to control the growth of trees, brush and other vegetation in order to provide uninterrupted, reliable natural gas service; and to allow safe, unobstructed access for crews to inspect, repair and maintain the natural gas pipelines.

The company will apply the herbicides in Monongalia, Marion, Taylor, Wetzel, Fayette, Mingo, Lincoln, Wyoming, Boone, Logan, Nicholas, McDowell, Kanawha, Raleigh, Braxton, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Clay, Ritchie, Tyler, Upshur, Jackson and Roane counties.

Industrial Helicopters LLC will perform the work in accordance with regulations established by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (DOA), with herbicides approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state. By law, EQT is required to report that its contractor will be using the following herbicides: DuPont Escort HP, and Alligare Triclopyr 3. Any questions about the herbicides should be referred to the DOA or to the EPA.

The program will begin in no less than 60 days and will continue throughout the summer.

All people who are registered on the state’s hypersensitive list in the spray areas will receive personal notification in the form of a letter via standard mail before the program begins. EQT will give advance notice before spraying a property to those people who submit a written request, which must include the name, mailing address, property location and telephone number of the person asking for notification.

Additionally, maps are available for inspection, showing the location of rights-of-way to be included in the 2013 vegetation maintenance program.

On a weekly basis, EQT will provide advance notification of the proposed aerial spray program to the commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and to a media broadcast station serving each county in which the aerial application of herbicides is planned.

To report a potentially sensitive area, submit a comment, or ask questions regarding the herbicide program, call 1-855-237-0797 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Written correspondence may be sent to EQT Corporation; Attn: Vegetation Maintenance Program; 500 S. Oakmound Road; Clarksburg, WV 26301.