FERC Document Reveals Ongoing Issues with MVP ROW Easement

Strategic Insights -

Maury Johnson, a West Virginia resident, has submitted a document to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) detailing ongoing issues with the easement agreement for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) ROW on his organic farm. The document highlights unresolved problems with invasive thistles and Japanese stilt grass on the MVP ROW and the Access Road across his property. Johnson expressed frustration with MVP's incomplete removal of thistles and stilt grass, citing the need for "whatever rate MVP would have to pay a worker with a weed eater would normally get" for the work he performed to address the issue. He also plans to inspect the MVP ROW and discuss establishment of trees, orchard grass, and pollinators with the company's Landowner Liaison.

Key Takeaways:

  • Johnson submitted a document to FERC detailing unresolved issues with invasive thistles and Japanese stilt grass on the MVP ROW and Access Road.
  • MVP was accused of incomplete removal of thistles, with Johnson stating he spent 1.5 hours manually removing the invasive species.
  • Johnson subsequently used a weed eater to cut areas with stilt grass, also allocating 1.5 hours for this task.
  • He claimed to need compensation at the rate MVP would pay a worker with a weed eater for his work.
  • Johnson is planning to inspect the MVP ROW and discuss reforestation and pollinator establishment with MVP's Landowner Liaison.
  • The document reveals ongoing issues between Johnson and MVP regarding the easement agreement.
  • The document can be viewed at https://elibrary.ferc.gov.

Statistics:

  • Johnson spent approximately 3 hours manually removing thistles and stilt grass.
  • Johnson is requesting compensation at the rate MVP would pay a worker with a weed eater.
  • Johnson's farm is an organic farm, with significant investment and time allocated to land management best practices.

Sources:

  • Document submitted by Maury Johnson, "Follow-up Regarding Invasive Thistles and Japanese Stilt Grass on my Organic Farm To FERC Staff and Others Whom It May Concern," dated August 8, 2025.
  • Johnson's statement in the document, "My father used to say, 'Any job worth doing is worth doing right the first time.'"
  • Johnson's plan to inspect the MVP ROW and discuss establishment of trees, orchard grass, and pollinators with MVP's Landowner Liaison.

Note: The exact date of submission, as per the original document, is 09/23/2025. This date appears multiple times within the document but refers to the submission.