Texas rancher won't budge for Keystone pipeline

[scootrd]

(CBS News) DIRECT, Texas - The Keystone XL pipeline is a massive, controversial oil delivery project cutting through America's heartland. The company behind the project says, if it's completed, it could help reduce America's dependency on foreign oil.
That pipeline would carry oil from Canada to refineries on the Gulf of Mexico. The northern part has not been approved, but the southern stretch is already under construction - except where a few Texas ranchers are standing in the way. The Keystone XL Pipeline extends two miles a day into Texas, but it can't get past Julia Trigg Crawford. Crawford has 650 acres of land and TransCanada only wants a small piece, but Crawford won't let them take it. "I don't think they have a right to take it," she said. "I mean if it was 650 inches or something, I wouldn't want them to take it."
Plans call to bury the oil pipe a quarter-mile upstream from Crawford's creek, which is critical for her livestock and crops. She's worried about a leak. She rejected a $21,000 offer from TransCanada. The company says it's too late to go around Crawford's land, so Transcanada has sued her.
"I just don't believe that a Canadian organization that appears to be building a pipeline for their financial gain has more right to my land than I do," Crawford said.

[SharonAnne]

damn straight

[-Shaggy-]

That woman is going to find out that the Supreme Court has already ruled that she doesn't really own that land. Good luck to her regardless.
 
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelo_v._City_of_New_London

[jhm]

     I just WON a lawsuit against a vary large Natural gas co. that Tresspased on my property without my permission, I have a road that runs N & S on my property in sec. 3 and there was a man in sec. 4 that was to have a well drilled on it, my road was 12 ft. wide and ran a 1/4 mile B-4 it turned W off of my property going into sec. 4 they widened the road to 32 ft. wide and elevated the S end 2.5 ft. well it all added up to a vary large settlement, like my lawyer and I said they were paying me a check every Mo. to sue them.  Stand your ground and fight them, it isnt too late for them to go around or they can always offer her alot more $$.  Jim  PS the settlement is a non disclosure amt. but we are not complaining and I have alot of B stone and gravel for sale if anyone needs any.  Jim

[SharonAnne]

hmm, she doesn't own the land? surely she has a deed. The gas/oil co. knew at least ten years ago they were planning to head her way. They had years to negotiate with her. So now they get to her property and tell her 'hey, we are coming through'? No frackin way! Stick to your guns gal. literally if necessary.

[scootrd]

But where's all the outrage that was coming from individuals not to long ago? , You know GOVT pass Keystone approval now!!!

This lone individual is obviously holding up all those "JOBS JOBS JOBS" we heard about (which Trancanada later retracted the bloated amount) and all that important Canadian oil sand crude we kept hearing about during the election process. (which by the way we will have to purchase on open MKT just like everyone else )

Hypocrisy abounds.


My families first house was taken by imminant domain laws when I was a child. They forced my father to accept pennies on the dollar Just so they could expand access to a new airport Runway to allow larger jets to land.

Just for the record , I'm on her side as well.

Semper Fi

[jhm]

     My whole point is that they didnt just get there and this is coming to a head now, there are some points that are not being told as yet,  If the pipeline is going exactly thru the middle of her land 640 acres is exactly 1 mile in sq. so say it is going thru the dead center it is only a 1/2 mile detour to Keystone in either direction no big deal or cost to them and I am sure one of her neighbors will negotiate a fair fee. It has taken years for mine case to come to trial as most of these do, but if you own the land then fight for your rights.  Jim

[FPH]

     My whole point is that they didnt just get there and this is coming to a head now, there are some points that are not being told as yet,  If the pipeline is going exactly thru the middle of her land 640 acres is exactly 1 mile in sq. so say it is going thru the dead center it is only a 1/2 mile detour to Keystone in either direction no big deal or cost to them and I am sure one of her neighbors will negotiate a fair fee. It has taken years for mine case to come to trial as most of these do, but if you own the land then fight for your rights.  Jim

Except when it's the damn gov. that wants your land.  They just claim imminent domain and bend you over, have had the TVA due that to my family.

[SHOOTALL]

She might have a case , first it is not a govt. project like the TVA. Second what is Texas law ? And her case may be the first case to challenge the law they are trying to use and the Jury may side with her. She also may win in other ways also.

[Ranger99]

kinda like just south of here when they
were building this super conducting super collider.
just had to have it, the world would stop turning
without it, lots of jobs to be had, etc.
all those folks tossed out and all that tax money wasted
and they never even finished the piece of ----
 

[Oldshooter]

Well I dunno, she has the right to fight the pipeline and she may win. Seems like Jim said they should be able to by pass her. When "hope and change" was balking about it up North, still is for that matter, the canucks said no problem we'll just go west and sell it to the chicoms. either way may be a plus. Only "WE" wont get the jobs. But the chicoms wont need as much mid east oil, and we can keep on keeping on........

[Ranger99]

my worry would be security and maintenance.
is it going to be inspected regularly, or will
they just gauge it somewhere 1500 miles away?
if this company goes bust, is somebody gonna
continue to monitor, or is it just ms. crawfords
problem now with her tore up land? lotta factors
to consider now and 10-20-30 years down the road.

[Awf Hand]

"Eminent" not imminent, Domain would be abusive, but the precedent has been set.
 
It seems difficult to believe that a pipeline that is proposed to be over 2000 miles can't divert around a 650 acre tract in TX.  It may be an oddly configured parcel as Texas doesn't use a regular PLSS Sec., Town and Range system like 3/4 of the country, but still...  They can't go around?
 
Kelo V. New London wrought horrific damage on property rights and takings by Eminent Domain.

[RPRNY]

The correct legal doctrine is of course eminent domain but from the sounds of it, her case may indeed be one of "imminent domain "!

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