ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 6, 1996 TAG: 9608060101
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLUE GRASS
SOURCE: Associated Press
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
Environmental groups said Monday they dropped their opposition to a gas pipeline near a mountain preserve after Thornwood Gas Inc. agreed to relinquish exploration and drilling rights at the site.
The Southern Environmental Law Center and seven other groups had fought Thornwood's plans to build the 34-mile pipeline near Laurel Fork, a 10,000-acre preserve in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
The preserve in Highland County, near the West Virginia border, is known for its diverse plant and animal life. Among its inhabitants is the Virginia northern flying squirrel, which is on the federal endangered species list.
Although the pipeline would not have run through the preserve, Thornwood owned mineral rights in the area and environmentalists feared the project would open Laurel Fork to future development and drilling.
The U.S. Forest Service last month rejected the groups' appeal to block the pipeline. After several weeks of negotiations, the groups and the company struck a deal.
``Thornwood has shown real concern for the Laurel Fork area by coming to the table and giving up these lease rights,'' said Blaine Phillips, an attorney for the law center.
``Not only does this agreement achieve protection for an outstanding resource, it demonstrates that environmental disputes can be resolved amicably.''
Brian Glasser, a lawyer for the Pennsylvania-based gas company, said: ``It's a fair deal for everyone concerned. Everyone lost a little and gained a little.''
Thornwood wants to build the pipeline to transport gas from six wells in West Virginia to markets in the Northeast.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB