Marathon Pipe Line LLC (MPL) regularly performs vegetation control on their rights of way. This vegetation control consists of mowing, tree canopy trimming, and ground clearing. Trees and shrubs greater than three feet high are not allowed within 25 feet of the pipeline.
MPL reserves the right to remove any trees, shrubs or other noncrop vegetation within 25 feet of the pipeline. No vegetation is allowed to obstruct pipeline markers.
Right of Way Clearing is performed for one reason; Public Safety
- Aerial Surveillance – Aerial patrols are completed on a weekly basis to detect threatening excavation activities along the pipeline and visually assure no releases have occurred.
- Excavation Damage Prevention – A clear pathway provides a visual corridor so the pipeline can be defended from unauthorized excavation and development.
- Routine Maintenance Access – Clear access to the pipeline is critical to completing required maintenance in a safe, efficient and effective manner.
- Corrosion Protection – Tree roots can wrap around a pipeline, damaging the protective coating of the pipeline. This damage compromises efforts to avoid pipeline corrosion.
- Emergency Response Access – Clear access to the pipeline allows for prompt response in the event of an emergency.