(Roanoke County, Va.) — Construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline resumed Wednesday along much of its 303-mile length. This after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a special decision that prompted two FERC commissioners to voice “significant concerns” about allowing construction “while required right-of-way and temporary use permits remain outstanding.”

FERC said the best way to minimize environmental damage was to allow work to continue on non-federal land. The decision clears the way for work to continue on the project’s route “as is.”

The natural gas pipeline is being constructed between Wetzel County, W.Va., and Pittsylvania County. Construction was halted after a federal court invalidated key project permits and FERC ordered a work stoppage. A Mountain Valley Pipeline spokeswoman told the Roanoke Times that the move “confirms that MVP’s existing route minimizes impacts to sensitive species and environmental, cultural, and historic resources” in the national forest.

Pipeline opponents disagree and say the project has already caused erosion and pollution of local creeks and wells.