 West Union, Illinois | We have a 345 kv line that I can just barely remember being put in new (and I'm almost 70). It was replaced a recently and there will be a new one going in at some point. The solar farm up the road needed a line to get to it that crossed us. I've spent a lot of time on high line easements the last few years. There was a discussion on AgTalk back in September. Rather than repeat myself I'll just refer you to it. ( see https://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1213120 ).
I will say this:
1. Do not take the first (or even second) offer. 2. There will be a few non-negotiable things. But anything you don't like, argue about negotiate. For example we have irrigation. One of our non-negotiable points is it must not / cannot / will not interfere with existing irrigation. 3. Regardless of what the land agent tells you, what it says on paper rules. And read it thinking like the other party. If it can be interpreted in a way you don't like, it will be. 4. The most dangerous land agent (from your perspective) will not be in a suit and tie with shiny shoes. The ones to watch out for will be wearing a Wrangler work shirt and Wolverine boots, or be a woman that doesn't look like a runway model, was raised on a farm, whose mom still lives with her. She might even exchange persimmon pudding recipes at some point.
Let me throw in one more thing. They will throw in phrases like adjacent property and try to get you to let them drive all over the farm. Do not allow that to be in the agreement. And when they do anyway document it and go for damages when you settle up after it's all done. Especially when they get outside the easement. Those ruts and the compaction may hurt your corn yield for years, at least 50 bushels and the price may hit $6 a bushel. And you're gong to have to hire someone with deep tillage equipment for $100 per acre to run through that every year for at least 3 years.
Never lie but consider all the possibilities. |