Clarification needed to protect landowner property rights
“Last March a land agent showed up at my door to inform me that two private companies wanted to install a pipeline for natural gas liquids on my farm. It would originate in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and join with an existing pipeline in Hardinsburg, which would link it to Louisiana. I was shocked and told the man I was not overjoyed with that news. But his response set me back even farther when he stated that they felt their project would have eminent domain power, meaning they could come through my property whether I like it or not.
He only wanted survey permission at that time. I agreed to the survey very reluctantly, thinking there was no way I could fight these multi-million dollar companies without going broke.
I am farmer with a cow-calf operation in central Kentucky. I also have a full-time job off the farm. I have lived and worked on this farm my entire life, which has now been in my family for five generations. To say my land is important to me would be a huge understatement. Now someone is insinuating that they have more say-so on my property than I do. I don’t take that lightly!”
Boone, Joe. Floyd County Times 20 March 2014.