Alix Albright
September 15, 2009
As far as the eye can see Middletown Valley, located in historic Frederick MD, reaches towards the mountain sides with it's rolling hills and breath taking farm land. George Washington himself said it was the most beautiful valley he's ever laid eye's upon. Middletown played host to one of the well known civil war battles, the Battle of South Mountain. "This is one of the Civil War Preservation Trust's top 10 endangered battlefields," Maranto said. The list, released earlier this year, names Civil War battlefields across America being threatened by development. (Frederick News Post) This historical and beautiful agricultural valley is soon to be disrupted by another one of man's modern factories. A energy company has plans to build natural gas compressor station on one of the historical plots of land in Middletown. The company, Dominion Transmission, purchased the site on Dec. 29, 2008. Dominion states they bought the plot of land due to it being the best potential spot to build due to costs. They planned to start build on the 150th anniversary of the South Mountain battle, but many Middletown residents protested to the construction. Not only would the compressor ruin the idyllic scenery, but disrupt the valley with noise and cause chemical run offs into streams damaging near by farms. Dominion states the reason why they picked Middletown is because of near by pipes that run by, and because agricultural land is cheaper than industrial zoned land.
The site where Dominion plans to build is part of a beautiful piece of land with a house that housed George Washington and other famous generals from the past. Middletown is said to be a rich land of soil and minerals, with breath taking views from it's mountain tops. The little town and the other surrounding towns and the land surrounding them are all historical establishments that need to be protected by law. All though it is important to move through the 21st century, why can't we still keep and preserve our past? In this paticular situation, not only will a historical battlefield be preserved but it will help continue to keep our Earth clean and healthy. For the residence of Middletown, they will benefit from the peaceful ambiance of the valley, its gorgeous views, and non-contaminated soil and water.
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=95191
http://www.gazette.net/stories/01292009/brunnew183127_32479.shtml
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