Landowner Resources
Working with you.
The Project hopes to work with each landowner to come to an agreement that works for both parties.
Todd Langston, Manager, Transmission Projects
Partnering with you.
Creating a transparent and simple process for landowners allows for ease of conversation and relationship building. We will continue to be partners with landowners through the life of the transmission line.
Rob Frank, Director, Electric Transmission Engineering
Our easement needs
We'll need 150-foot-wide easements to safely construct, operate, and maintain the proposed transmission line. Additional temporary workspaces may also be necessary for construction and land agents will work closely with individual landowners to identify construction needs.
This image is for illustrative purposes only and is not to scale.
What is an easement?
An easement is an agreement that provides Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities the rights to access, construct, operate, and maintain transmission lines and associated facilities (e.g., structures, wires) on private property. Our goal is to work closely with landowners to resolve concerns and reach voluntary agreements.
What's the difference between an easement and an option?
An option is a binding document and payment that gives Otter Tail Power and Montana-Dakota Utilities the right to choose to acquire an easement within a specific period of time for the project. Options are typically completed before easement agreements.
What is a right of way?
Right of way is a portion of land needed for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission line. Typically, a width of 150 feet is needed for a 345-kV transmission line. Right of way is typically secured through negotiation and acquisition of an easement agreement.
What landowners can expect
Our typical process
- Landowners will be notified that an easement may be needed on their property.
- A right of way agent will present the landowner an easement.
- We'll work with landowners to address questions or concerns, coming to an agreement to grant an easement.
- Once the project is approved, the utilities will construct, operate, and maintain the transmission line.
Landowners will be notified that an easement may be needed on their property.
A right of way agent will present the landowner an easement.
We'll work with landowners to address questions or concerns, coming to an agreement to grant an easement.
Once the project is approved, the utilities will construct, operate, and maintain the transmission line.
Our anticipated schedule
Our right of way team will keep landowners informed as we progress through the anticipated schedule. All landowners' experiences will be unique in order to accommodate individual needs, but generally, they can expect the following to occur.
- Summer 2024 - Begin acquiring options, right of entry for temporary access, and various environmental surveys (we are here)
- Fall 2024 - Continue to obtain options and conduct environmental surveys
- Winter 2024 - Begin easement acquisitions
- Summer 2025 - Ongoing coordination with right of way team through pre-construction activities, construction and restoration
- Fourth Quarter 2025 - Vegetation management and civil construction
- Spring 2026 - Start line construction
- Line energized and land restoration in fourth quarter 2028
As part of the restoration for this project, our team will work with landowners to repair or compensate damage to crops, fences or other property. Please visit our FAQs for more information.
As part of the restoration for this project, our team will work with landowners to repair or compensate damage to crops, fences or other property. Please visit our FAQs for more information.
What we've been up to in your area
Planning & Processing
Gathering routing input and feedback to review and consider during the routing process.
Landowner Discussions
Hosting right of entry conversations to continue field surveys, which can require access to private property to investigate areas for sensitive species, habitats, and resources.
Haven't Heard from Us?
We're sorry we haven't been able to connect with you yet. Our team is always available for a phone call or in-person meeting. Reach out if you have questions or are looking for additional information.
Want to connect? We’re here.
Want to connect? We’re here.
Landowner FAQs
A final route has not been determined. If you own land in the project area or along a proposed route, you may have heard from us. We sent out request for survey permission letters, our right of way agents have attempted to make contact with you, or you may have received a letter from the project team.
An option for an easement is a binding document that gives OTP and MDU the right to choose to acquire an easement within a specified time period (e.g., a number of years) for the project. Options are paid at the time landowners sign them.
Once compensation for an easement is determined, and the project receives an executed agreement, landowners have the option to receive a full, one-time payment, or annual installments for up to five years. Landowners may elect to receive installment payments per ND Century Code; however, payments are for the land itself — not the landowner. As such, if property with an easement changes ownership, installment payments would then be made to the new owner(s).
Damage to crops, fences, or other property will be compensated or repaired. This assessment is completed on a case-by-case basis.
Prices and expected yield for damaged or destroyed crops will be based on the current market value of the crops. Current value will be based on the average spot price for the commodity per the website of the three nearest elevators.
Yields will be based on the previous three years' averages for that particular crop. Data for yield calculations will be found on USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service website.
Buildings, structures, pumps, wells, swimming pools, trees, other objects, or flammables, are examples of things not allowed within easement areas to ensure the safe construction, operation, and maintenance of the transmission line. Landowners may continue to use the property in ways that are compatible with the transmission line as long as the use does not interfere or endanger the transmission line. Right-of-way agents can work with landowners to help determine allowed and unallowed uses within easement areas.
This type of facility typically does not have an impact on property use which would affect land valuation. For more information reach out to your County.
Construction areas and temporary access roads that are not needed for ongoing operation and maintenance of the new transmission line will be restored to their previous condition, to the extent possible. The reclamation team will take direction from the landowner regarding needs and specifications for each parcel with grass or hay. However, cropland will be de-compacted and left in an orderly state to continue farming operations. Construction materials will also be removed.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission requires reclamation, fertilization, and reseeding to be done according to Natural Resources Conservation Service recommendations. Any landowner requests that deviate from these recommendations will require the project to first get approval from the ND Public Service Commission.
Once the line is energized, maintenance crews will periodically inspect, repair and maintain the transmission line within the right of way.
Webpage disclaimer:
The information on this page is intended for general purposes only and is not intended as legal advice and circumstances may vary for each landowner and property.
Library & FAQs
Download project and permitting documents and find answers in our FAQ section.
Learn about the projectMap & Routing
Learn more about how we route a transmission line and explore our interactive map. Have feedback? Drop a pin to leave us a comment.
See our progress