Right of Way

Land Acquisition and Negotiations

The Company employs professional negotiators who work effectively with landowners to obtain the required land rights. During this process, the Company is well aware of the client’s cost factors and time considerations and works to maintain and enhance the client’s reputation with the community.

Construction Monitoring

NLS provides support to the client and its construction contractor to ensure that any special provisions agreed to with the landowner(s) are incorporated in the construction documents and complied with during construction. NLS can also coordinate pre and post-blasting inspections where required.

Damage Claims Settlement

NLS provides services associated with the settlement of damage claims. These typically include determination and valuation of crop loss, ornamental trees, shrubs, etc. to ensure a cost-effective, fair, satisfactory, and speedy settlement of damage claims.

Inspection Services

NLS is experienced at providing a wide variety of inspectors to protect the client's interest during construction and can assist with any post-construction activities and surveys. NLS maintains a substantial pool of inspectors available to oversee the various phases of construction inspection, such as all types of utility inspectors including ditch, backfill, welding, corrosion, cleanup, etc. The NLS also has a ready pool of environmental inspectors available for construction inspection.

Feasibility Studies

any factors influence route and site selection. The accumulation of data and the evaluation and analysis of that data is needed to determine the proper route. NLS provides accurate and comprehensive analytical data upon which to base informed decisions about the client’s final route.

Title Examination and Curative

Title examination is an essential ingredient of effective right of way work and leads to a successful project flow. NLS provides elementary as well as comprehensive title reports according to client standards and specifications. In the event of defective land titles, NLS cures these defects by preparing and executing the necessary documents without the need for litigation. NLS’s field staff works independently on title curative matters or in cooperation with the client’s legal department, as the circumstances require.

Real Property Valuation Studies and Appraisals

NLS provides full and fair market valuation for temporary and permanent rights of way or fee property and has over the years developed and upgraded an effective matrix which is used to determine appropriate and accurate real property values.

Right of Entry Permits

During the preliminary or planning elements of a project, a broad range of activities must be undertaken which require permission from the landowner to enter the property. NLS secures permission on the client’s behalf to perform the entire range of activities and in some instances, depending upon the scope of the work, can secure permission for all these planning functions within one agreement.

FERC Order 609 Regulatory Compliance

The NLS Group provides the implementation of FERC Order 609 required landowner notifications with the use of pre-existing databases and documents. NLS can tailor programs to fit the client's needs to comply with this and other landowner related regulatory requirements.

Public Outreach Programs

NLS can assist with the development and implementation of public outreach programs targeted at informing the general public and building support for new projects and facilities. NLS is experienced in contacting local, state and, federal public officials to gain support for new projects by taking advantage of many pre-existing relationships and building new relationships with community leaders to gather the needed support for new projects or to site new facilities.

Condemnation Support

NLS has developed highly effective procedures and policies to ensure good faith negotiations. Upon determination that an eminent domain action must be initiated, all the necessary documentation is prepared and presented to the projects legal counsel in a manner that will expedite receiving right of entry for construction.

Database Design and Data Management

The NLS Group is experienced at performing the broad range of services necessary to track progress and a wide variety of reports and documents. We have on staff resources to develop and maintain the information system that each client requires.

Relocation Services

The planning and implementation of various public projects can result in the displacement of a significant number of residents and businesses. NLS has relocation specialists that have a broad experience in this area and provide aid to all levels of government and their respective agencies in the relocation effort. These specialists also have a full understanding of the "Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act" and provide clients and services in full compliance with requirements of that legislation.