ustmd
Platinum Member
Here is the initial proposal. Let it be known: 1.) My land is not for sale. 2.) The initial offer is low ball and unreasonable. If we don't get a reasonable offer exercise our rights: 1.) We will hire Appraisers. 2.) We will hire Attorneys. 3.) We will require a hearing before a court appointed panel. 4.) We will go to trial. 5.) We will appeal their decision if we are not satisfied.
TBN: Can you help me find these items in their agreement. I want to address them and make sure I haven't missed them somewhere in the fine print.
TBN: I'm interested in these items. 1.) We want to restrict all surface rights. 2.) We want to limit what they transport. 3.) We want allow only one single line. 4.) We want to enjoy our land as much as possible. 5.) We want to limit the hours of which they can enter our property. 6.) We want a defined timeline of when they will do the project. 7.) We want to restrict their activity to the easement only. 8.) We want to save some trees near their intended easement. 9.) We want to be held harmless against any damage to environment and environmental issues. 10.) We want to reserve the right to build ANY type of road or driveway across their easement. 11.) We want to be able to build a pond in close proximity. 12.) We want to restrict their ability to grant other easements within our easement area. 13.) We want compensation for any future disruption. 14.) We want abandonment defined. 15.) We want to restrict warning signs. 16.) We want them to warrant title searches etc. 17.) We want the right to move the pipeline. 18.) We want them to build their own driveway across the open trench. 19.) We want to restrict pressure through the line. 20.) We want to know their schedule for scheduled maintenance. 21.) We want to restrict assignees to comply with this agreement. 22.) We want the payment apportioned; selling vs damages. (damages are not income).
ITHINKICAN,
It is lawyer time.
Some the things you want may be covered in the agreement. For example, the "hold harmless" condition in paragraph 11 may indemnify you against environmental claims.
Some of the things, you won't get. You are not going to get the right to move the pipeline. You are not going to be able to limit what they transport in the pipe, etc. The signage maybe governed by state/Federal law.
Some of the things you want may be negotiable. For example, limiting hours of access except for emergencies, requiring them to construct their own access point.
A good real estate lawyer should be willing to consult with you on these issues and advise you. You might be able to tell the gas company to go pound sand, but I doubt it. Being Texas (land of Big oil and gas), I am betting this one will fall into eminent domain.
While I am all for standing up for your rights and getting what you are entitled to, the gas company has a lot more money and lawyers than you do. You need to know what battles you can win and what battles are lost cause before picking the fight.