ROANOKE, Va. (AP) _ The builders of a proposed natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to North Carolina have the green light to survey a 12.6-mile slice of the George Washington National Forest. The Forest Service announced Tuesday it is issuing a temporary special use permit for the survey. The survey will assess soils, federally listed threatened and endangered plants and animals and cultural resources. The Forest Service stressed that the survey approval does not clear the way for construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Dominion Resources is partnering with other energy companies to build the $5 billion, 550-mile pipeline. It would deliver natural gas from Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania to the Southeast. Dominion said the survey is key to finding the best pipeline route with the least environmental impact.
