What to do if surveyors come to your land even though you’ve sent denial permission letters?
IF THEY COME WHEN YOU ARE PRESENT:
- If they ask permission, tell them no and let them know that you have filed a letter denying Spectra, NEXUS or any of their agents permission to survey your land (or have otherwise not signed to give them permission).
- If they say they have the right to be there, ask them, “On what specific legal authority do you think you have a right to be on this property?” Find out what law they think allows them to be there.
- If they insist on coming onto your land, you have the right to call the police. Inform them that you will, and follow up if they go ahead onto your property.
IF THEY HAVE COME WHEN YOU WERE NOT PRESENT:
- Take photos and, if possible, video of the survey markers on your land. If you can, use a camera that marks GPS. A smart phone camera will have that option along with time stamping.
- File a police report for trespass and tell the police department about your official denial letters being received by Spectra/NEXUS.
- Notify the press and community.
- Send a letter of complaint (via registered mail) to Spectra/NEXUS, putting them on notice that you have filed police reports for trespass.
Points to make in a letter of complaint:
- You have filed a letter of denial (or rescission) of permission to survey with Spectra/NEXUS.
- If you received a certified delivery receipt, include a scan or copy of it in the letter.
- The survey crew did not contact you for a verbal before arriving which would have allowed you the opportunity to tell them that you have not given permission and have filed a denial of permission letter.
- Include any photos of the survey markers, any damage to your property (limbs cut, any bore holes, etc.) and a copy of the police report about the survey crew trespass. Send this via certified mail to Spectra/NEXUS.
- Send copies of this to FERC and all of your elected officials: selectmen and legislators, the state Attorney General, Governor and Congressional Reps.
HOW TO MAKE THE “NO SURVEY” MESSAGE CLEAR:
- If you haven’t yet done so, send a letter to Deny Permission to Survey. If you previously gave permission, you can send a Rescind Permission to Survey Letter. This should be filled out, scanned or copied for your records and sent to the Spectra/NEXUS office at the top of the letter via certified mail, so you get confirmation when their office receives the letter. Also send a copy of it, and if possible, the receipt confirmation to FERC, Docket #PF15-10 .
- Post no trespassing signs on your property. If you have space for specific reference to Spectra/NEXUS Surveyors on a store-bought sign, please add this info.
- See our Sign Page for No Trespassing and No Survey signs you can print.
PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY / NEIGHBORHOOD:
- Make sure to send a Deny Permission or Rescind Permission Letter via certified mail and save the receipt
- Put up No Trespassing or No Survey signs on edges of your property
- Set up neighborhood watch
- Network, share contact info with your neighbors, agree what level of action is ok in your absence(photos or video of evidence as its happening, contact police for you)
- Hold a potluck and invite all neighbors along the pipeline route to talk about the issue and help others fill out and file Deny or Rescind Permission letters.
- Place wildlife cameras or other security cameras. Sports stores often offer motion-activated cameras for very little, and it can catch evidence when you’re not present.
- Ask you local officials to adopt provisions to prevent private companies from conducting surveys without permission from the board of Selectmen.
