USFS Rejects Gas Pipeline Route Through Two National Forests

"A massive interstate natural gas pipeline proposed to run through two national forests suffered a setback Thursday, as the proposed route was rejected following concerns about endangered wildlife.

The U.S. Forest Service said in documents that the $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline and its 550-mile route lacks “minimum requirements” to safeguard wildlife. The now-rejected route would have crossed the Monongahela and George Washington national forests, and in doing so, the forest agency said, threaten endangered salamanders, flying squirrels, and red spruce ecosystem restoration areas.

“Alternatives must be developed to facilitate further processing of the application,” the letter reads."

Alejandro Davila Fragoso reports for Climate Progress January 22, 2016.