A PennEast Pipeline Company crew was approached and allegedly threatened Wednesday morning, by a rifle-bearing man, according to a company release.

The crew was stopped to confirm property information about an authorized survey scheduled for April 20, PennEast said.

As the three-team crew was parked on Milford-Warren Glen Road in Holland Township, New Jersey, the man approached the crew and asked if the crew was with PennEast Pipeline.

When the crew members responded affirmatively, the man allegedly held up the rifle, began waving it in the air, shouted in opposition to the Project and vowed that he would prevent it.

Following an investigation in conjunction with the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office, Holland Township Police arrested Lester Kinney Jr.

Kinney has been charged with making terroristic threats and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

"PennEast is committed to safety, which starts with ensuring the well-being of our team members, who simply are doing their jobs on properties where we have landowner permission," said Peter Terranova, chair of the PennEast board of managers.

"We are thankful our team was able to return safely to their families without escalation of the situation."

PennEast continues to conduct surveys with landowner permission. The surveys provide beneficial information that helps to ensure safe construction and operation of the PennEast Pipeline, which will serve local families and businesses.

PennEast is seeking approval for an 118-mile pipeline that will begin in New Jersey and wind through the Lehigh Valley to Carbon and Luzerne counties.