Stacy Makarewicz, Jefferson, NY.
I am the owner of the property at 104 Willow Springs Road, and I did not consent to any easement for this pipeline. My land has remained undeveloped for generations and is full of natural water that flows into Clapper Hollow Creek, then Charlotte Creek, and eventually the West Branch of the Delaware River. The ground stays wet for long periods, and during heavy rain the water spreads across multiple downhill paths before draining into the stream. Any digging or heavy equipment would damage the soil, change the water flow, and harm the wetlands that keep this area healthy.

The land is sloped from the stream upward, and the proposed pipeline route sits on the higher, uphill portion of the property. Water naturally drains downhill toward the stream, and the presence of willows and consistently wet soil shows how much water moves through this area. Disturbing this slope would increase erosion, sediment runoff, and long‑term impacts on the watershed.

New York State has worked extremely hard to protect its water resources, and my property is part of that larger system. My property lies within the headwaters of the Delaware River system. It is part of the same larger watershed, and any disturbance here affects downstream water quality and habitat. The water here is clean, constant, and supports a thriving ecosystem. This land is not empty. It is alive. I have personally seen beavers, black bears, coyotes, deer, fishers, bobcats, snakes, turtles, fish, and spotted salamanders on the property. I have also seen a river otter, a species that only lives where the water is clean and undisturbed. These animals rely on intact forest, wetlands, and quiet habitat. If the land is cut open, these species will not return. Pipeline construction would permanently damage the conditions they depend on and erase the ecological value that has existed here for generations.

This project is led by Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC, an out‑of‑state pipeline developer whose operations and project management are based in Texas. The company is not from New York, the gas is not for New York residents, the jobs are not for New York workers, and the profits do not stay in New York. Texas pipeline standards are not New York’s standards, and they do not reflect the level of protection New York requires for its water, wetlands, and natural resources. The environmental risks fall entirely on our land, our water, and our community, while the benefits go elsewhere.

I purchased this land with the intention of farming only small, suitable areas while keeping the majority of the property natural and protected. A pipeline would limit even that careful use and introduce risks to a rural community that does not have the emergency services or infrastructure to handle a major pipeline incident.

The last environmental review is more than ten years old. The land, water, wildlife, and community have changed since then. I respectfully ask FERC to conduct a full, updated environmental analysis that reflects current conditions before making any decision.

Thank you for considering my comment.