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Author	Topic: As Enbridge crude oil pipeline project moves forward, family prepares for loss of their yard	Post a Reply Back to Topics

xgojim All-Star Author Michigan Posts:524 Points:452,520 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 9:48:38 AM Ignore xgojim Report Abuse For the Bradley’s, their quiet, wooded Lyndon Township MI backyard in the northwest corner of Washtenaw County is many things. To the family’s three daughters it’s a playground. To their father Brendan, it’s a place to grow vegetables and cultivate native plants. And to wife and mother Ztaise, it’s an integral part of her home. The majority of the family’s beloved yard is now in peril, as flags and markers indicate an imminent reality: A crude oil pipeline is plotted through the middle of the yard -- which means the trees, garden and rolling hill of the back yard will soon be leveled to make way for the project. The pipeline is Line 79, a project planned by Enbridge Pipelines Toledo Inc. as an expansion of the company’s crude oil delivery to the Detroit refinery of Marathon Petroleum. Visit Ann Arbor News for full article

xgojim

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Michigan

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Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 9:48:38 AM

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For the Bradley’s, their quiet, wooded Lyndon Township MI backyard in the northwest corner of Washtenaw County is many things. To the family’s three daughters it’s a playground. To their father Brendan, it’s a place to grow vegetables and cultivate native plants. And to wife and mother Ztaise, it’s an integral part of her home. The majority of the family’s beloved yard is now in peril, as flags and markers indicate an imminent reality: A crude oil pipeline is plotted through the middle of the yard -- which means the trees, garden and rolling hill of the back yard will soon be leveled to make way for the project. The pipeline is Line 79, a project planned by Enbridge Pipelines Toledo Inc. as an expansion of the company’s crude oil delivery to the Detroit refinery of Marathon Petroleum.
Visit Ann Arbor News for full article

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slicerette Champion Author South Bend Posts:3,525 Points:541,205 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 5:17:31 PM Ignore slicerette Report Abuse After they are finished placing the oil pipeline four feet underground, the soil will be placed over it, grass seed planted and the kids can play on it.
sjf238 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,215 Points:647,955 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 26, 2012 8:49:03 AM Ignore sjf238 Report Abuse Sad. Every child in America should have at least 1 yard to play in. I pray for the Bradley family and hope that they can recover from their loss.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,950 Points:753,185 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 11:40:38 PM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse Letemeatcake, there would be no title search as the land is not owned by the Bradley's, they lease it.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,507 Points:603,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 12:33:15 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse Hope they resolve this equitably.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,968 Points:2,118,365 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 9:14:26 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Its got to go somewhere...
Sparky19038 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,048 Points:580,140 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 8:47:11 AM Ignore Sparky19038 Report Abuse The Bradley's knew of the easement, and of the existing pipeline. Their main complaint appears to be the method of laying the pipeline - leveling the back yard, and removing the trees to bury the pipe. From the article: Much of the Bradley’s backyard is in the middle of an easement owned by ITCTransmission, the parent company of Consumer’s Energy, which has transmission towers in the area directly behind the Bradley’s house. ITC's transmission towers in the middle of wetlands behind the Bradley's home in Lyndon Township. The easement owned by ITCTransmission already has Enbridge's crude oil Line 17 running through it. Line 79 will go to the right of the towers in the Bradley's back yard, the edge of which is marked by the flags. The easement is fairly large, and when the Bradley’s bought the house near the intersection of Farnsworth and Boyce roads six years ago, they never imagined the property they lease from ITC also would be in demand by Enbridge. [Skipping ahead] For that area, Ztaise Bradley said Enbridge plans to horizontally drill a path for the pipeline underneath the wetland instead of digging a trench through the area. When she asked the company to extend the horizontal drill underneath her back yard so it would not have to be leveled for the project, Ztaise Bradley said she was met with a negative response. "I lease this land, too," Ztaise Bradley said. "Why is their project more important than my project?"
Ticoman54 Champion Author Miami Posts:7,046 Points:1,492,770 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 5:00:20 AM Ignore Ticoman54 Report Abuse Why do these types of projects have to come so close to where people live? Who is going to compensate the Bradleys for the loss of home value this is causing them?
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,819 Points:1,287,110 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:35:29 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse Heart tugging story provided by your local anti-pipeline organization.
equusheart Rookie Author Riverside Posts:52 Points:37,490 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:00:31 AM Ignore equusheart Report Abuse Wonder how you would find out information about things like this before you start in on the long process of escrow, or if that information is required to be given to renters. I wouldn't want an oil pipe running under my back yard. Although, I do find it interesting that they're concerned about the effect of the new pipe but don't seem to have expressed concerns about the old pipe. Even more interesting is that Enbridge is constructing the new pipe w/ the same materials and standards as the old pipe which has already dumped crude into the waterways. Hmmm . . . .
NOTSOGRN Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,059 Points:1,512,200 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 2:09:52 AM Ignore NOTSOGRN Report Abuse . . Expected as Enbridge has been doing PR ads in Michigan over the last month on pipeline upgrades.
MN1 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,364 Points:651,565 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 12:43:10 AM Ignore MN1 Report Abuse First of many similar stories.
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:5,426 Points:1,097,170 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Nov 25, 2012 12:23:52 AM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse There is already an easement and a pipeline to start with going through this property.
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,825 Points:643,250 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:21:58 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse You never can predict what may come along & threaten property you think you own!
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,596 Points:1,206,355 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 10:52:42 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Normally the case would be that the Bradley's Title Company at the time of purchase, would have told them of the existing easements. These are not secret. I am truly sorry for this extreme situation, but the Bradley's where probably not ignorant at the time of purchase.
ktbaeohana Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:2,311 Points:422,975 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 7:09:25 PM Ignore ktbaeohana Report Abuse not good news. watch and see.
Wanda127 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,499 Points:915,880 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 6:57:50 PM Ignore Wanda127 Report Abuse This really shows you need to know what the easements are for & if they will use them before you buy a home.
investmentdr Champion Author Cleveland Posts:4,034 Points:1,456,025 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 6:04:54 PM Ignore investmentdr Report Abuse Ed, have you seen enbridges track record with pipelines
YaBassa Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,435 Points:518,075 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 5:35:38 PM Ignore YaBassa Report Abuse I have nothing good to say about Enbridge.
EdWoods Veteran Author Maryland Posts:430 Points:65,180 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 3:55:21 PM Ignore EdWoods Report Abuse A Pipeline should only be a short term disturbance, and then back to normal....... Unlike a Railroad Track or a Highway........ All three of which are Transportation methods.....
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,263 Points:2,372,345 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 3:36:47 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse once buried and re land scaped nobody will know the difference [Edited by: humblepie at 11/24/2012 3:37:38 PM EST]
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,493 Points:734,300 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 2:19:54 PM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Buyer beware.
hmw10284 Champion Author California Posts:1,142 Points:198,200 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 1:07:21 PM Ignore hmw10284 Report Abuse You buy a house with an easement you have to expect something like this to happen
mlmeng Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,635 Points:591,810 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:59:56 PM Ignore mlmeng Report Abuse Glad I live where I live. It is very unlikely to get a pipeline.
YumaFellow Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,290 Points:622,595 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:56:51 PM Ignore YumaFellow Report Abuse One always has to pay attention to the details.
mitt4prez Champion Author Tacoma Posts:1,752 Points:1,246,425 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:18:19 PM Ignore mitt4prez Report Abuse When the Bradleys closed on their house, the easement had to be disclosed. Or if Enbridge purchased the easement from the Bradleys after they closed, they would know then. It's a harsh awakening, but that's the price they must pay.
dorisntx Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,079 Points:646,605 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:10:56 PM Ignore dorisntx Report Abuse Wow. They should buy their house so the family can move.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,448 Points:1,326,225 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:08:19 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse There are a lot of interesting comments on this. Makes you wonder sometimes.
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:610,325 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:04:45 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse I never cease to be amazed at the response of people who enter into a contract (lease, in this case) and are then upset that the contract has teeth. This is "non-story". The family will retain the use of their backyard (albeit, in a different "lay-of-the-land").
djwhit Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,017 Points:1,209,430 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:00:59 PM Ignore djwhit Report Abuse IT'S ABOUT TIME........
GDAE Champion Author Wichita Posts:1,155 Points:221,875 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 12:00:36 PM Ignore GDAE Report Abuse "but im sure big money gets there first" They always do :-(
GDAE Champion Author Wichita Posts:1,155 Points:221,875 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:59:30 AM Ignore GDAE Report Abuse The sad price of so called progress.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,263 Points:2,372,345 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:52:45 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse but im sure big money gets there first
Suzzoom Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,368 Points:506,140 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:52:06 AM Ignore Suzzoom Report Abuse When they leased the land behind the home they bought, they knew there was an easement, over which they have no control. The danger is that the pipeline will be only 4/10 inch thick & only be buried four or five feet deep If it leaks, it will affect their water supply. There have been leaks in this company's nearby pipelines. However, how long will they be drinking contaminated water before the leak is found?
greatartiste All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:540 Points:105,810 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:45:15 AM Ignore greatartiste Report Abuse this needs to be looked at, for changes to protect people...
barber7796 Veteran Author Oklahoma Posts:426 Points:277,560 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:38:43 AM Ignore barber7796 Report Abuse Not to worry. It appears the oil company is not giving enough money to help them with their PAIN AND SUFFERING. Just up the payment and everything will be fine. Wish some oil company wanted to tear up my back yard. Be less to mow and would have more money to mow with. [Edited by: barber7796 at 11/24/2012 11:40:43 AM EST]
Zuegma All-Star Author Nova Scotia Posts:990 Points:258,820 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:38:21 AM Ignore Zuegma Report Abuse I guess the story speaks volumes to the saying "Buyer Beware" and in particular of easements which just about anything can be added or deleted.
GasFreeLeaf Champion Author Orange County Posts:1,248 Points:475,695 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:35:47 AM Ignore GasFreeLeaf Report Abuse Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness requires careful choices.
tnfran Champion Author Arizona Posts:4,388 Points:844,140 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:31:53 AM Ignore tnfran Report Abuse Wow, quite a rude awakening , they did know about the easement but you'd think that the oil co could relocate it not in their back yard.
fullcirclethink Champion Author Washington Posts:2,007 Points:159,270 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 11:19:17 AM Ignore fullcirclethink Report Abuse The word 'easement' is in the details for a reason. The northwest corner of our property has a county road running through it. The southwest corner allows our neighbor to the south to use a driveway to get to his house from the same county road. Such is life.....
Discovery02 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:2,570 Points:311,640 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 10:58:59 AM Ignore Discovery02 Report Abuse Yes, you should check your property for easements. Most people don't know where they are or what they mean until someone shows up with a backhoe.
VomVom Champion Author Calgary Posts:3,857 Points:1,627,080 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 10:49:39 AM Ignore VomVom Report Abuse The landowners are well compensated with fair market value for the easement. The landowner still owns the land. He/she cannot build permanent structure on the easement so the utilities company can access the pipeline for service if necessary.
200porter Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,070 Points:543,110 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 10:39:07 AM Ignore 200porter Report Abuse I hope those families are being well compensated.
fjkcpa Champion Author Houston Posts:4,520 Points:602,435 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 10:37:46 AM Ignore fjkcpa Report Abuse What a revolting development this is.
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:10,372 Points:1,979,960 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 10:23:19 AM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse Kind surprised that a easement for a power line could be used for a pipeline. Must have been a really stupid landowner in the chain somewhere. Unless that landowner got a ton of money for the easement.
Melinda205 Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,839 Points:359,790 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 10:19:00 AM Ignore Melinda205 Report Abuse Okay
roadrunnerMO Champion Author Kansas Posts:8,411 Points:1,700,440 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 9:57:46 AM Ignore roadrunnerMO Report Abuse Sad state of affairs when emminent domain is used to take part of folks property for these purposes. But when we see these articles we usually do not get the full picture of what is really happening.
xgojim All-Star Author Michigan Posts:524 Points:452,520 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 24, 2012 9:50:44 AM Ignore xgojim Report Abuse This is a lesson about checking easements on your property, our sympathy to the family notwithstanding....