Bill Overview
Title: Valley Forge Park Realignment Permit and Promise Act
Description: This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to issue a right-of-way permit for portions of the main segment of the natural gas distribution pipeline within Valley Forge National Historical Park if the segment is relocated to a proposed realignment of Valley Forge Park Road and North Gulph Road within the park.
Sponsors: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Target Audience
Population: people living near or visiting Valley Forge National Historical Park
Estimated Size: 22000
- The bill concerns the realignment of infrastructure (a natural gas pipeline) in a specific location (Valley Forge National Historical Park).
- Primary stakeholders are thus likely those directly using, residing in, or traveling through this area.
- The legislation will impact those concerned with the preservation and environmental integrity of the National Park.
- Local residents and businesses may be impacted during and after construction due to changes in infrastructure and traffic patterns.
- Visitors to Valley Forge National Historical Park may experience altered access routes or increased travel time during construction.
- The environmental impact of pipeline realignment could affect local wildlife and ecosystems.
Reasoning
- The bill primarily affects individuals in proximity to Valley Forge National Historical Park, including residents, local businesses, park visitors, and environmental proponents.
- This translates to a relatively small geographic and demographic segment of the U.S. population, potentially in the thousands.
- The policy could lead to temporary inconveniences for park visitors and nearby residents, but potentially longer-term benefits if it helps preserve the park's environment and infrastructure integrity.
- Given the project budget constraints, significant direct financial impacts on individuals or businesses seem unlikely unless construction overruns severely.
- For many Americans, especially those living far from Pennsylvania, this policy is unlikely to have any impact, hence interviews should balance between those directly or marginally affected.
Simulated Interviews
local business owner (Phoenixville, PA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The realignment might cause some temporary decline in business due to road closures.
- Overall, supportive if it means better infrastructure long term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
environmental scientist (King of Prussia, PA)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Worried about the environmental impact of pipeline construction.
- Supports monitoring and conservation measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
graduate student (Philadelphia, PA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Rarely visits the park; might be interested in changes if access is enhanced.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
national park service employee (West Chester, PA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supportive as it might improve safety and preserve the park's integrity.
- Concerned about the short-term disruption to educational programs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
tourist (New York, NY)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Unlikely to visit during construction but interested in future improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
retired (Valley Forge, PA)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Worried about noise and pollution during construction.
- Happy if it'll secure infrastructure for the community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
commuter (Trenton, NJ)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hopes the road improvements reduce travel time long-term.
- Concerned about detours during construction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
ecotourism blogger (Boston, MA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supports changes that secure park resources.
- Wants to see clear environmental benefits post-construction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
local government official (Montgomery County, PA)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Believes this is a critical step in modernizing local infrastructure.
- Plans to ensure minimal disruption to locals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
wildlife activist (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Concerned about impacts on local fauna during construction.
- Wants assurance of protections for animals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $2500000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $300000, High: $700000)
Year 5: $100000 (Low: $50000, High: $200000)
Year 10: $50000 (Low: $20000, High: $100000)
Year 100: $10000 (Low: $5000, High: $20000)
Key Considerations
- The alignment and pipeline construction must adhere to environmental standards to prevent negative ecological impact.
- Potential funding and responsibility-sharing between government and private entities must be clearly defined.
- Coordination with local communities to mitigate disruption during construction is essential.