Pipeline Rights-of-Way Help Protect Your Safety
A pipeline right-of-way is the strip of land over and around a pipeline. Rights-of-way are kept clear of obstructions to enable the gas company to safely operate, patrol, inspect, maintain and repair its pipelines. We regularly inspect our rights-of-ways.
A right-of-way agreement between the gas company and the property owner is called an easement. Easements provide the gas company with permanent, limited interest to the land to enable us to access, operate, test, inspect, maintain and protect our pipelines. Although agreements may vary, rights-of-way can extend up to 25 feet each way from the center of the pipeline.
If the gas company has an easement on your property, you should be aware of our guidelines for encroachment and construction near natural gas pipeline equipment. They can be found on our website or by calling our toll-free number 1-800-688-6160.
It is important that property owners not install any structures, store anything that could be an obstruction, or plant trees or shrubs along the right of way. Normal gardening and agricultural activities are generally acceptable. But you should never dig or construct anything in the area without first having a gas company representative mark the pipeline, stake the right of way and explain the company’s construction guidelines.