ELKINS, W.Va., – The USDA Forest Service has issued a draft decision notice to permit Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, to construct and maintain the WB XPress Pipeline Project on Monongahela National Forest.
“The portion of the project on National Forest lands is within existing rights-of-way,” said Forest Supervisor Clyde Thompson. “We have worked closely with the applicant to resolve the major resource issues and minimize impacts from this project.”
The special use permit will allow the replacement, relocation, use, maintenance and eventual decommissioning of 11.6 miles of 26-inch diameter interstate natural gas transmission pipeline in Columbia’s existing right-of-way on Monongahela National Forest.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a final Environmental Assessment for the project March 24, and is the lead agency on the project. The Forest Service is a cooperating agency.
The construction corridor for the pipeline, in most instances, will be 75 feet wide. The final pipeline corridor will be 50 feet wide. The project will require 157 acres of National Forest lands, with 75 acres for long-term right of way and access roads, and 82 acres for temporary workspace and roads.
The entire WB XPress Pipeline Project involves the installation, construction and operation of about 29.3 miles of various diameter natural gas pipeline across public and private land in West Virginia and Virginia.
Individuals who submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission during the public comment period are eligible to object to this draft decision. Objections may be submitted to the Forest Service for 45 days beginning the day after the legal notice is published in the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel, which is the newspaper of record. For more information on the Forest Service’s objection process, please visithttps://www.fs.fed.us/
Download the draft decision notice and learn more about the project at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
