Conservation Solutions for High-Stakes Crossings

Linear infrastructure projects — from pipelines and roads to transmission lines — almost always intersect with public resources that communities care deeply about. Rivers and streams double as recreational corridors and wildlife highways. Trails and scenic byways are cultural touchstones, offering people connection to nature and history. When these resources are crossed, the impacts extend beyond permitting checklists — they touch public trust, recreation access, and species migration routes. 

Agencies and developers know that Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401 permits require consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers and state regulators. What is often underestimated, however, are the public interests tied to rivers, scenic trails, and recreation areas. Those interests frequently drive project delays, community pushback, and even litigation if not proactively addressed. 

These are the projects where The Conservation Fund shines — helping developers navigate complex crossings with conservation solutions that address public interests, protect beloved resources, and reduce the risk of costly delays. 

In the case of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, for example, we worked with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to design and implement a voluntary stewardship plan that provided lasting conservation benefits around the Appalachian Trail (AT). Given the AT’s national significance, the project faced heightened scrutiny. The Conservation Fund partnered with The ATC to identify meaningful projects, and designed conservation solutions that protected viewsheds, preserved buffer lands, and minimized impacts on this iconic public resource. Together, we were able to permanently safeguard thousands of acres that uphold the trail’s character and the public’s experience of this treasured resource. 

Other examples include: 

• Crossing the James River, Virginia: We worked with Dominion Energy on its Surrey-Skiffes Creek-Whealton Transmission Line project to mitigate impacts to cultural and historic resources by conserving over 640 acres, supporting archaeological restoration on Jamestown Island, and helping establish Machicomoco State Park to honor Native American heritage. 
• Crossing Three National Parks: We partnered with PPL Electric Utilities and PSE&G to mitigate impacts from the Susquehanna-Roseland Project, conserving nearly 3,500 acres across the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Appalachian Trail, and Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. 
• Crossing a Historic Parkway: We collaborated with Tennessee Valley Authority’s transmission line at Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi to conserve scenic views and recreation areas along this historic parkway. 

Each of these projects required tailored conservation outcomes that went above and beyond traditional permitting — outcomes that balanced development needs with public expectations for protecting cherished landscapes. The Conservation Fund’s reputation as a respected conservation leader adds credibility that goes beyond compliance to help projects gain public trust and move forward with fewer obstacles. 

The Lesson is Clear 

Before crossing rivers, streams, trails, or scenic byways, consider how the project will affect public resources. Treat these areas as sensitive assets to be avoided and minimized wherever possible. For impacts that cannot be avoided, The Conservation Fund has decades of experience and an unmatched reputation for designing and managing conservation projects to protect these resources and help projects move forward with community support.