I really appreciate the pipeline dos and don'ts by RCBS . I had a pipeline company approach me for a right of way a number of years back with threats of using imminent domain to confiscate my rights. Unlike many of the neighboring properties I did not sign a darned thing but did act sort of like I wanted to work with them if they could do right by me. They contracted with a local college to do the search for indian artifacts because of the topography of my land and the possibility that their path might have crossed through temporary camp locations from before the white man arrived. I found it a bit amusing when I got a call from a college prof wanting to make sure I knew he and a bunch of students would be on my property on a particular weekend. When I suggested that they all wear their blaze orange because they would be there opening weekend of the firearms deer season he decided that maybe another date would be better. Sometimes I am amazed at how little thought goes into some of the activities surrounding college activities. As it turned out, the pipeline company gave up on that path so I never did need to push things to the breaking point. My neighbors sold their rights even though the pipeline has not been built and I am building right on top of what would have been their path so the company could return and just use the right of way they already paid for on my neighbors but they are not allowed to build within quite a large distance of existing buildings so I will never see them again on my place.
No one wants to make a lawyer richer, especially me. But...know that these companies have "sharks" on their payroll. They can afford the nastiest lawyers you can imagine. Once upon a time, a landowner could do his own negotiations. Those times have passed unfortunately. There are so many pitfalls and backdoor workarounds nowdays that it'll make your head spin. And when I encourage an attorney, I'm speaking of one who specializes in ROWs. Let the company wanting to run the line know upfront that they will be paying your attorney's fees for the negotiations. I believe those threats are illegal. I forgot to mention the need to record all conversations with the Landman, and let him know you are recording. Nothing that is spoken can be held accountable, only the written, unless you have a record of the conversation. Good on you for not giving in to pressure! For many landowners, the temporary monetary gains often outweigh the perpetual consequences of having a utility come through your land. It's easier to resist once you realize just how much money will go through that pipe in your lifetime (and beyond) compared to what is offered as compensation...insulting, quite frankly. The artifact diggers are pretty standard fare. There was a bat study done where the line came through my parcel. Not caves. Shagbark hickory trees. The Indiana bat roosts under the large bark scales on the trunks. The worst environmental damage IMO is all the new "edge" created by clearing the ROW and the fragmentation of forested land. Invasives also love to pop up in the newly cleared land ( I have an upcoming fight with about 1000 new Alanthis saplings coming soon that sprang up along the edges of the "workspace"). Some invasives are brought in on the tracks of equipment (which is supposed to be sanitized between each location). I have small shrub like pants growing that I have never seen before. I understand that pipelines are absolutely necessary in today's world, but they are for sure filed under the old NIMBY clause for me (obviously, they have to go through *someone's* back yard though). The only discourse there seems to be is to fight hard enough to make them put it on someone else's land. I have noticed that the routes usually avoid the high priced real estate for the most part, even if the route makes more sense going there. OK, off my soapbox. Just know, these people are not going to do you any favors. YOU have something THEY need. Your parcel was chosen because it was deemed the "cheapest route" possible. Whatever your agreement ends up being, it is perpetual (forever). They will do with the land as they please once the paperwork has been signed and those people who were *so helpful beforehand will be nowhere to be found when you have an issue.
I had a guy from Trace Energy stop by the house one night. They were doing a seismic test (boom boom, not thump thump) in our area and wanted to drill 6 holes for the shots and run sensor cables across my property. There were no holes to be drilled closer than 400' to any of my buildings. We agreed on a $1,000.00 for this. I left on a business trip. My neighbor calls and says the drilling rig was going to drill in the middle of my grass airstrip, which was also off limits in my conversation with the Trace rep. My neighbor stopped them. I get home and took my ultra-light up to see what's going on in the neighborhood. I count 13 holes on my land, one was less than 100' from my freshly poured hanger floor! I was livid! I called the guy and said they didn't hold up their end of the deal. Nothing was to happen until we got this straightened out. The next day I heard a helicopter out back. They were dropping sacks with the sensor cables. I went to their makeshift office and told him face to face they needed to remove the cables until we came to a resolution. I didn't know if the close shots would crack my floor. They removed the cables that day. I submitted a quote from the concrete contractor for a removal and re-pour. I told the rep. nothing was going to happen on my land until I had a check in the bank for the total. We agreed on that total, less the 1k I was paid. I got the check deposited, they blew the shots, turned out my floor was fine. Last I knew they were going after the survey and drilling company. I bought a new truck. ETA: No attorneys were involved, just a general "you ain't running roughshod over me attitude" .
Thanks buddy. I think it was a Chesnut. I don't know my oaks well, I rarely cut them... and when I do, I would rather send them to the mill. Pretty sad to see a tree like this cut down for an easement. I didn't count, but am pretty certain it was 200+ years old.
