Right-of-Way (ROW) clearing is not simply a vegetation management task, it is a foundational element of pipeline safety, regulatory compliance, and liability reduction. A clear ROW ensures the visibility, accessibility, and operational integrity of buried energy infrastructure. When ROWs become overgrown, companies face heightened risks of third-party damage, delayed emergency response, and regulatory exposure.
- Visibility Saves Lives
Unmaintained ROWs obscure signage and make it impossible for the public or contractors to see where pipelines are located. Third-party excavation remains one of the leading causes of pipeline incidents nationwide, often because operators fail to recognize they are working near a buried pipeline and forget to call 811.
By maintaining clear ROWs, companies:
- Reinforce public awareness of underground assets.
- Keep pipeline markers visible from roads, fields, and properties.
- Support 811 compliance and reduce third-party strike probability.
- Enhanced Aerial Patrol and Monitoring
A clear ROW creates a visual corridor for aerial inspections, a primary method used by pipeline operators to detect encroachments, leaks, or vegetation changes signaling subsurface issues. Dense vegetation obstructs pilots’ line-of-sight, hindering the early detection of risk factors.
Maintained ROWs improve:
- Leak detection accuracy.
- Monitoring of unauthorized activities.
- Catch issues proactively.
- Compliance with PHMSA and API aerial inspection standards.
- Emergency Access and Incident Response
In emergencies, every second matters. When vegetation blocks the ROW, response crews lose critical time navigating overgrowth or inaccessible terrain.
A clear ROW ensures:
- Rapid access for emergency and repair crews.
- Reduced liability from an unkept ROW when all eyes are on it.
- Easier coordination with local fire and EMS responders.
- Environmental Stewardship: Safety Meets Sustainability
Lanracorp’s SmartROW™ approach integrates operational safety with environmental responsibility. After clearing, we restore corridors using native grasses and pollinator-friendly vegetation that stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and extend maintenance cycles.
Benefits include:
- Lower long-term maintenance frequency.
- Improved biodiversity and ESG reporting value.
- Alignment with the Monarch CCAA and other conservation initiatives.
- Summary: Reducing Risk = Reducing Liability
Each maintained corridor reduces potential for:
- Third-party excavation strikes.
- Explosions, injuries, and fatalities.
- Environmental damage and fines.
- Delayed response during emergencies.
Visible ROWs save lives. They make pipelines safer, protect the public, and reduce liability for operators.
Contact us to schedule a SmartROW Assessment or inquire about a multi-year maintenance plan.