We’re getting information indicating that a Red Oak Pipeline Route Update is underway. In this video, Landowner Condemnation Rights Attorney Philip Hundl talks about the information he’s receiving and how it may be affecting landowners. He also talks about the importance of negotiating for a temporary right of access agreement that protects the rights of landowners. Call or text 800-266-4870 for an appointment with Mr. Hundl.
Summary of the Red Oak Route Update Video
Hi, I’m Philip Hundl. I’m an attorney based in Wharton County who represents landowners throughout the state facing condemnation. Most of the condemnation cases that we’re seeing right now are pipeline cases. However, there has also been an uptick in landowners who are facing condemnation related to high voltage transmission lines or power lines.
I wanted to give you an update on the Red Oak Pipeline Project. As many of you remember, we talked about this Red Oak Pipeline Project in several earlier videos. It is a project by Plains All American and it comes in from Oklahoma , comes in near Wichita Falls, comes down toward the Gulf Coast and then splits into two pipelines. The location of the split was going to be in Washington County, near Brenham.
Now it looks like that split location may be moved. The junction is what they’re calling it. From the junction one fork of the Red Oak Pipeline cuts across Grimes County and then it heads towards Jefferson County, Texas.
Then the other fork of the Red Oak Pipeline runs through Goliad County and Gonzales County, and all the way down to Nueces County in Corpus. The junction was going to be near the town of Brenham in Washington County, but that appears to no longer be the case.
Many of the landowners who had been contacted by right of way agents, and told that their land would be affected by this pipeline, have now been told that there’s a good chance that their land will not be affected by the pipeline and that the pipeline route is being changed quite a bit. I’ve heard comments from landowners and other attorneys for landowners who say that in some places the route has shifted west up to 80 miles. I think there was a comment in Parker County that it moved 80 miles to the west.
The moral of the story at least for right now is these pipeline projects are often very fluid. The routes change quite a bit. So what’s been submitted to the Railroad Commission as the “route” appears to have changed significantly.
So if you’re a landowner who was initially contacted by right of way agents or by attorneys, believing that you are affected by the Red Oak Pipeline and you haven’t been contacted again by right of way agents, there’s a good chance that you’re no longer affected.
But if you haven’t been contacted at all by right of way agents in the past, related to this Red Oak Pipeline and now all of a sudden you’re getting contacted, well, that could mean that you’re in the new route.
If you might be affected, you should pay attention and be aware of what’s going on with this pipeline project. If you’re in the counties that are affected, you’ve probably already heard about this pipeline because other landowners have been contacted. So just be aware — know that it’s out there.
Be Careful in Signing a Temporary Access Agreement
As always, you’ll first be approached by the right of way agent asking for you to sign a temporary access agreement to allow them on your property so that they can do some initial surveying. I strongly recommend that you visit with an attorney who understands condemnation. You should talk with an attorney who can inform you about your rights and some things to be aware of with that temporary access agreement.
I strongly recommend that you visit with an attorney who can inform you of your rights before you sign a temporary access agreement.
Attorney Philip Hundl
I recommend using a temporary access agreement that is different from the one the right of way agent will give you. The agreement I recommend limits the pipeline company’s access to your property — it limits access by time and by what they can do on your property.
It defines the scope of what the surveyors or the subcontractors for the pipeline company or its agents may do on your property. It includes subcontractors, agents, right of way agents, surveyors and their crews and limits what they can do on the property.
What kind of limitation? Oftentimes we talk about a survey and we think they’re going to go on the property and do some civil engineering surveys, determine metes and bounds, the center line of the pipeline, or the proposed route of the pipeline. In reality that survey could include all kinds of other environmental studies, archeological digs and environmental sampling. So you should be aware of what it could all include and a good temporary access agreement helps make that happen.
Let Us Help You Navigate the Condemnation Process
Call or text 800-266-4870 for experienced help in getting through the Red Oak Route Update and the condemnation process and protecting your rights and your property. Attorney Philip Hundl has years of experience related to property law, eminent domain and condemnation. He can explain the process and help you develop a strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.
The Law Firm of Wadler, Perches Hundl & Kerlick has four offices in Southeast Texas. Our main office is in Wharton and another office is in El Campo in Wharton County, and we also have offices in Richmond and Fulshear in Fort Bend County.
Call 800-266-4870 or text 979-320-9320 for an appointment. We can also arrange for online and telephone appointments all over Texas.