Gas Pipelines: Are They a Detriment or an Enhancement for Crops?

The summer of 1999 was hot and dry in Central New York, with precipitation coming just in time more than once to keep crops from withering. While crop growth overall was normal, a phenomenon was observed over a 32-year old natural gas pipeline. Alfalfa plant growth was noticeably higher directly over the pipeline by up to 50%, and the authors wondered “Why?” A corollary question raised by these observations concerns the magnitude of damages that should be recognized for gas pipeline permanent easements that cross agricultural crop fields – are the traditional damage levels excessive as well?