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I need a little help here. I have acquired some land and now there is a power company wanting to put a power line across it. Not for sure what they want to pay just yet but I was wondering if anyone else has ever had to deal with power lines before. Stuff like easement and the brush they push out. Effects on deer movement and things like that. The path they want to take is going to knock out two of my best stands and go right over the top over my 3 acre food plot. I know that I can’t stop them but I was wondering if I have any ground to stand on or should I just take whatever they offer and just be glad they aren’t calling eminent domain. Any advice is welcome
Posts: 237 | From: Ardmore Oklahoma | Registered: May 2007
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I have no idea, but I wish you luck. That really sucks. No way to compensate you for cutting your property in half.
Posts: 3620 | From: Ada, Oklahoma | Registered: Jun 2007
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Kind of depends of the voltage of the line. A single phase distribution line should call for a 20 to 30 ft ROW. A 345 Transmission might have a 100 ft ROW. If it is a distribution line, I don't think the impact will be much. They should cut, build the line and be out without much impact. A transmission line with towers, etc. could have a major impact in the short term.
-------------------- "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit" Harry S Truman
TGMM Family of the Bow Posts: 4010 | From: Lenexa, Ks | Registered: Jul 2003
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Be sure of their limits as far as the future is concerned. Can they add more to the right of way later if they deem it necessary. Also check to see if you have to sign over a "right of way" to them or can you just offer them the use over your property. With a deeded right of way be sure what the deed reads also. You might get legal advise to see what your options are. Each state will be different.
-------------------- Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes! TGMM Family of the Bow Posts: 10079 | From: Brevard, NC. | Registered: Apr 2003
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You might come to love the power line. I hunt a lot of power lines you find good young growth in the power line and thick growth along the edges. We also plant food plots on the power line. Deer movement might improve for you, when they are cutting the line try to get them to block any deer trails that do not go by your stands to create a funnel pushing deer to you, also find out what they are planting in the line and see if they can plant different types of plants and shrubs to attract deer.
Posts: 251 | From: Canton Ohio | Registered: Feb 2004
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It depends on what they are putting in, but a regular power line could help. Brushy edge areas are perfect for movement, and growing shrubs for browse. It is still your land if they are just getting an easement unless they are buying it.
-------------------- PBS regular UBM life member Compton Posts: 1013 | From: Imperial, MO | Registered: Jul 2005
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This thing is supposed to be massive. They are saying 1000 feet between poles.
Posts: 237 | From: Ardmore Oklahoma | Registered: May 2007
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I have a power line running across my property that was there when I bought it.It is still your property at least in La.but a right of way in perpetuity.They will pay any damages (trees,crops etc.)Need to be careful on location and your future plans for it including your heirs. Mine is on the very back of property so very little loss of value.After they leave you can plant crops put stands and use it but no trees of course.Again make your price very careful for your damages you only get one time after you sign it is over forever but you can make lemonaid with some lemons.Congrats on your purchase.Kip
Posts: 2005 | From: Ville Platte Louisiana | Registered: Mar 2004
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I have to tell you that few powerlines are government and you do have the right to tell them no. They will try to force you to let them thru but imminent domain isn't the way they can do it. They have no right to cross, they have to negotiate and pay for it which puts you in the drives seat all the way. The power line will eventually go thru your property and lawyers will become involved if you fight them. The fight can add years to their efforts.
If I were you I would be in contact with them right now. I would work with them on every facet and become fully informed. You can often plant low growing shrubs and possibly food trees along the edges of the cut and food crops in patches under the power lines near the tree edges. You want to negotiate with them to have what you want planted in specific areas. You can expect to get paid for the intial damages and for the perpetual crossing of your property. I work with these issues a lot in my job. I would without a doubt be positive and work with them. I would also immediately involve a lawyer and have the area on your property assayed for it's value. The lawyer is to ensure your rights as the property owner are protected. He / she does not need to be fully involved. You do need them for advice and to read the contracts you will sign to ensure that all your rights are protected and you get what is properly owed to you for the permanent crossing of you property. Out west here we hunt powerline cuts a lot. Animals use them a travel highways all the time.
I find that when you are positive and willing to work with the group, they are normally willing to step up a bit to keep you happy and avoid a legal fight that can delay their project and cost them a lot of money and time. Working with them gets you a lot more of what you want than fighting them does.
-------------------- Clay Walker Skill is not born into anyone. It is earned thru hard work and perseverance. Posts: 3246 | From: Vancouver, WA. | Registered: May 2009
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Just to chime in - you didn't mention how large the property is. A substantial utility line installation will require some type of environmental assessment. Are there any water courses along your property? Are you aware of any Federally recognized species on the property? Any critical habitat or important bird nesting? Do you have the mineral rights to the land? Any cultural resource sites, Native American artifacts? All these issues are important to you as a landowner. Federal energy policy nowadays can make the company's proposal almost equivilent to imminent domain - they're not a gov't entity but still very powerful; kind of like railroads. And the other folks here are right - could be a benefit for you if the transmission lines don't have the constant hum. You should definitely be fully informed about the project's environmental impacts to your property, if any.
-------------------- *** Skysoldier - 1/509 ABN
--"You don't get old until your dreams are replaced by regrets"-- Posts: 378 | From: Rio Rancho, New Mexico | Registered: Mar 2010
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It can be an involved process if you are reluctant and if you really want to be compensated for true value. How much timber will it take out? What is the value of that timber? Is that value from your forester's evaluation or from their estimate? What is the value/cost of your impacted food plots?
The impact to your bowhunting may be positive or negative depending upon the scope of impact. It could quadruple your early successional habitat and edge. You'll have to scout it every year for a while to see how the fauna reacts.
-------------------- "A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke of his axe he is writing his signature on the face of his land." - Aldo Leopold - Posts: 666 | From: Sinking Creek, VA | Registered: May 2005
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