Section 22-3-82. Right to acquire property or property interests by eminent domain; notice to landowner; relocations; right of reasonable access; compensation for damage incident to entry

   (a) Subject to the provisions and restrictions of this article, pipeline companies are granted the right to acquire property or interests in property by eminent domain for the construction, reconstruction, operation, and maintenance of pipelines in this state; provided, however, that prior to instigating eminent domain proceedings or threatening to do so, the pipeline company shall cause to be delivered to each landowner whose property may be condemned a written notice containing the following language in boldface type:
   "CODE SECTIONS 22-3-80 THROUGH 22-3-87 OF THE OFFICIAL CODE OF GEORGIA ANNOTATED PROVIDE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS WHICH MUST BE FOLLOWED BY PETROLEUM PIPELINE COMPANIES BEFORE THEY MAY EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO CONDEMN YOUR PROPERTY. THOSE CODE SECTIONS ALSO PROVIDE SPECIFIC RIGHTS FOR YOUR PROTECTION. YOU SHOULD MAKE YOURSELF FAMILIAR WITH THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND YOUR RIGHTS PRIOR TO CONTINUING NEGOTIATIONS CONCERNING THE SALE OF YOUR PROPERTY TO A PETROLEUM PIPELINE COMPANY."

(b) The restrictions and conditions imposed by this article on the exercise of the power of eminent domain by petroleum pipeline companies shall not apply to relocations of pipelines necessitated by the exercise of a legal right by a third party or to any activities incident to the maintenance of an existing pipeline or existing pipeline right of way. A pipeline company shall have a right of reasonable access to property proposed as the site of a pipeline for the purpose of conducting a survey of the surface of such property for use in determining the suitability of such property for placement of a pipeline.

(c) After obtaining the certificate of convenience and necessity provided for in Code Section 22-3-83 and after complying with the notice requirements set forth in subsection (a) of this Code section, a pipeline company shall have a right of reasonable access to any property proposed as the site of a pipeline for the purpose of conducting additional surveying which may be necessary in preparing its submission to the Department of Natural Resources as provided for in Code Section 22-3-84.

(d) The owner of any property or property interest which is entered by a pipeline company for the purpose of surveying such property, as allowed in this Code section, or for access to or maintenance or relocation of an existing pipeline shall have the right to be compensated for any damage to such property incident to such entry. Any survey conducted pursuant to this article shall be conducted in such a fashion as to cause minimal damage to the property surveyed.

Code 1981, § 22-3-82, enacted by Ga. L. 1995, p. 161, § 2; Ga. L. 1996, p. 6, § 22.