DENVER, Dec. 1, 2008
New Pipelines Cross Nation, Property Lines
As Projects To Deliver Natural Gas Proliferate, Americans Find Land Rights Compromised
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A natural gas pipeline being constructing near Cheyenne, Wyo., close to the Colorado border. Upon completion, the 1,679-mile Rockies Express pipeline will reach Ohio. (AP/Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC)
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The couple settled with developers on the advice of their attorney, but say it will take up to five years to rebuild pastures to grazing quality.
Rockies Express spokesman Allen Fore said they have worked with federal and state officials throughout the process and accommodated requests where they could. He said the natural gas is pressurized so it won't leak into the ground, and if there is some type of impact, the pipeline shuts down automatically.
"We have made literally hundreds of adjustments, minor adjustments, to deal with landowner concerns," he said. "Most folks believe we give them a fair price. They understand the significance of this project."
Some of the projects, while less likely to play a role in someone's livelihood, can change the landscape for others.
Owners of summer homes in the Scare Canyon Ranch area are worried by El Paso Corp.'s proposed Ruby Pipeline in northeastern Utah, which would require a 150-foot wide swath of trees be cut down during construction.
Ray Gibbons, head of the Scare Canyon Ranch Association, also said there are 22 underground springs that the association owns, which he said may be threatened by the 42-inch pipe.
"They've been pretty decent about trying to work with us but if they get FERC backing, then there will be no stopping it," he said.
Crossing Vineyards, And Vintners
On a steep hillside in northwest Oregon, the Wahle family planted their first vines in the 1970s on a 100-acre plot.
Developers have proposed routes across the property for the 220-mile, 36-inch pipeline which would connect TransCanada's system in central Oregon with NW Natural's distribution system. It is pending federal authorization.
Oregon Pipeline Co., which said it always tries to work closely with landowners, has proposed a 117-mile pipeline that also could cross the vineyard.
"They won't allow us to replant vines above the pipelines," she said. "There's very little that you could actually do with this piece of property."
By AP Energy Writer Sandy Shore
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."
Are you f*ck*ng kidding. "AS SOON AS YOU START LOOSING RIGHT''''S"!? START!? Wake up, turn off Faux News, buy a dictionary, mortgage the trailer and buy a f*ck*ng clue! You and your ilk are the reason we''re in this mess. Bush trashed our Constitution. You have no rights! You are just too ignorant to know it. I suppose this is Obamas recession? Wake the f*ck up.
I THINK THAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE VERY SORRY THAT YOU HAVE VOTED IN obama.... TIME WILL TELL.
AS SOON AS YOU START LOOSING RIGHT''S YOU WILL BE THINKING TWICE OR THREE TIMES AS TO WHAT YOU HAVE HELPED TO PERPETUATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REST OF THE SO CALLED FREE WORLD.
THE NEW MEDIA HAS RAMMED ALL OF THIS STUFF RIGHT DOWN YOUR THROAT, AND PEOPLE WERE SO CAUGHT UP IN THE MOMENT THAT THEY DID NOT EVEN FEEL IT WHEN IT WENT DOWN.
As far a damage to the land it takes about 15 years until the crops over where they built the line fall back to the yields of the undisturbed ground around the pipe line.
Mr Fred Hoeme, of of the Graham-Hoeme chisel plow notice this and built a plow to take advatage of it in the 30''s
www.asabe.org/awards/historic2/Graham_Hoeme.html
I have had Oil an Gas companies for neighbors and on land I farmed all my life and they always paid better than they damaged by a factor of 2 or 3.
In most cases the land was in better shape when they left than before as they made sure they did leave mud holes and drained one or two that had been there long before they came.
If they dig a well it take 15 or 20 year for the land where I am to completely cover but they paid enoght for over 100 hundred years of what the land would produce.
It''s isn''t pretty while its going on but it sure beats the city or county by wide margin.
Be nice to them and they will be nice to you. If you try to hold out they have a way to deal with that too. It is called emanate domain for a reason. If you fight it you loose almost ever time.
Gc
Posted by coppertales
I had the same experience. They have all the power - it is called eminent domain.
My advice: Put up all the fight you can, hire an attorney if you can afford one. They may re-route that section of pipeline to avoid your property, if you are a big enough pain.
I''m curious as to how Bush, the homosexual community and the religious groups are gonna spin this debate.
Let the BS begin.
This, of course, had been forcast by environmentalists for the past year, but who listens to environmentalists who want to save the planet anyway! Certainly NOT the Great Emperor Bush II and the neocon Fascist Socialist Nazi Republicans who are only thinking about a steady supply of energy and getting the utility companies providing it RICH!
As stated before, neocon Fascist Socialist Nazi Republicans NEVER think ahead. It requires too much brain power to plan ahead and there is no PROFIT in it anyway!!!
SIG HEIL, PLAN? THERE AIN''T NO PLAN!!!, BUSH!!!