November 19, 2014

Pipeline Update: Dominion Threatens to Sue Landowners for Survey Access

This summer, WV-SORO updated the pipeline information available our website when we learned about the proposed interstate pipelines and heard that landowners were being approached by Dominion Resources, Inc. and other companies about conducting surveys on their land. After we updated our pipeline information, we were told that landowners were getting letters citing a section of West Virginia’s eminent domain law and claiming it allows surveyors to come onto people’s land before an eminent domain proceeding is initiated or finished. However, even if this statute applies, in West Virginia eminent domain laws may only be exercised for a "public purpose.”  Being made aware of the letters did not change our advice much. We anticipated that landowners might be sued if they denied access to the surveyors, and after learning of Dominion’s plans to sue landowners our advice remains unchanged, as no court has established that the interstate pipelines proposed by Dominion or other companies. Don't be intimidated! If you are sued for denying surveyors access to you property please contact me at (304) 346-5891.  WV-SORO's pipeline resources can be found here.

Reminder: Pipeline Meeting Tomorrow in West Union

Tomorrow evening (Thursday, November 20) the Doddridge County Watershed Association will host Elise Keaton with the Greenbrier River Watershed Association who will provide an update on the proposed pipelines and community activities taking place in response.  Lawyers from Appalachian Mountain Advocates will also be there to discuss landowner rights and answer questions from concerned community members.  The meeting is at 6 PM at the Doddridge County Senior Center, West Union, WV. For more information or to schedule a meeting in your community, please contact Elise Keaton at 304-647-4792 or email elise@greenbrier.org. 

Appalachian Mountain Advocates also has resources available for landowners here, here and here.