Millennium Pipeline through New York's Black Dirt

I am temporarily employed as a consultant on a paleoenvironmental study in southern New York. We are obtaining complete stratigraphic columns with block excavations and piston cores into the "black dirt" of the Wallkill Valley. The funds for the study are coming from natural gas companies which are constructing a 425 mile pipeline running all the way from Lake Erie to New York City. Because this pipeline was originally scheduled to be in operation by the start of the year 2000, it was called "Millennium." Environmental review as well as a variety of other causes for opposition from local citizens have been a major factor in the delay. I also believe, however, that the current construction is timed to take advantage of the rising price for the product to be delivered.