Dominion sues landowners to survey land for pipeline

STAUNTON, Va. (AP) — Dominion Resources is suing more than 40 landowners in Virginia who won't allow the company to survey their properties for a proposed natural gas pipeline.

Dominion filed lawsuits earlier this week against 20 property owners in Nelson County and 27 in Augusta County.

Dominion spokesman Jim Norvelle tells The News-Virginian that Virginia law allows the company to enter the properties to conduct the surveys. He says the surveys are needed to avoid future problems, such as family cemeteries.

If the court orders access, Augusta County resident Travis Geary tells the newspaper that his family will abide by the decision. But Geary says they will continue to oppose the project.

The proposed $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline would run 550 miles through West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina.