Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 1 of 15 PageID #: 1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
: Civil Action No. 2:17-cv-04214
:
:
Plaintiff,
:
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vs.
:
:
AN EASEMENT TO CONSTRUCT,
:
OPERATE AND MAINTAIN A 42-INCH
:
GAS TRANSMISSION LINE ACROSS
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PROPERTIES IN THE COUNTIES OF
:
NICHOLAS, GREENBRIER, MONROE,
:
SUMMERS, BRAXTON, HARRISON,
LEWIS, WEBSTER, AND WETZEL, WEST :
:
VIRGINIA, OWNED BY D. LANE
:
MCMILLION (PARCEL ID NO. 1-14-2, 1:
14-3.1, 1-14-3.3); D. LANE MCMILLION
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AND DALE L. AND ALICIA D.
MCMILLION (PARCEL ID NO. 1-13-49, 1- :
:
13-68); PACO LAND, INC. (PARCEL ID
:
NO. 1-18-69); BRIAN AND BETH
ARMSTRONG (PARCEL ID NOS. 1-18-86, :
:
1-18-84); JERRY ALLEN AND MARY E.
:
HAMMONS (PARCEL ID NO. 1-24-35);
:
BRUCE A. & KIMBERLY ROBERTS
(PARCEL ID NO. 5-34-2); TODD E. WHITE :
:
(PARCEL ID NO. 5-34-4); TAMARA L.
:
WHITE DELONG (PARCEL ID NO. 5-34:
4); VIRGINIA D. AND CONNIE
:
MCCLUNG (PARCEL ID NO. 1-24-7);
ARTIE ORLENA ROBINSON AND DAVID :
LANE ROBINSON (PARCEL ID NO. 5-14- :
22); QUINWOOD COAL COMPANY F/K/A :
:
ALEX ENERGY, LLC F/K/A ALEX
:
ENERGY, INC. F/K/A GREEN VALLEY
:
COAL COMPANY, LLC (PARCEL ID NO.
5-15-28, 5-20-48, 11-30-19); ESTATE OF C. :
:
L. KEENER (PARCEL ID NO. 11-22-75);
:
JAMES KEENER (PARCEL ID NO. 11-22:
75); JOHNNIE RAY KEENER, BRANDE
:
NICOLE KEENER, AND DAVID
:
HARMON (PARCEL ID NO. 11-22-75);
:
THOMAS KEENER (PARCEL ID NO. 11:
22-75); CLYDE FOX, MICHAEL FOX,
MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE, L.L.C.,

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 2 of 15 PageID #: 2

NAOMI J. FOX, AND ROBERT W. FOX
(PARCEL ID NO. 11-30-5); NAOMI J. AND
ROBERT W. FOX (PARCEL ID NO. 11-305); REX COAL LAND COMPANY
(PARCEL ID NO. 11-39-7); EUGENE RAY
AND TINA ROBIN TUCKWILLER
(PARCEL ID NO. 11-54-13); SILAS
STEVEN AND LAUREL TUCKER
(PARCEL ID NO. 11-54-12); JEFFREY
DEWAYNE OSBORNE (PARCEL ID NO.
11-68-33); RONALD AND ELISABETH
TOBEY (PARCEL ID NO. 11-84-10);
UNKNOWN HEIRS OF MARTHA I.
KESSLER (PARCEL ID NO. 3-13-24);
UNKNOWN HEIRS OF MARY L.
SURBAUGH (PARCEL ID NO. 3-13-24);
UNKNOWN HEIRS OF NORA E.
VANDALL (PARCEL ID NO. 3-13-24);
UNKOWN HEIRS OF AZEL FORD
ZICKAFOOSE (PARCEL ID NO. 3-13-24);
UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOSEPH ORVILLE
ZICKAFOOSE (PARCEL ID NO. 3-13-24);
UNKNOWN HEIRS OF ROBERT C.
ZICKAFOOSE (PARCEL ID NO. 3-13-24);
DOREEN S. ALLEN, FREDERECK M.
OSBORNE, JO LYNN BLANKENSHIP,
MICKEY D. OSBORNE, AND SCOTT S.
OSBORNE (PARCEL ID NO. 11-68-10);
DONNA M. HUFFMAN (PARCEL ID NO.
09-13-10.1); NORVEL P. AND JEAN M.
MANN, THOMAS B. AND HANNAH G.
MANN, AND CHLODA CROSIER
(PARCEL ID NO. 05-25-31.3); WILLIAM H.
MANN, LUCY G. BOOTH, HARRY L.
MANN, NANCY L. PHILLIPS, DONALD E.
MANN, CARL E. MANN, LARRY W.
MANN, AND BONNIE K. BARBERIE
(PARCEL ID NO. 05-25-31.5); REBECCA
K. BRAGG (PARCEL ID NO. 05-5-27);
LANDCEY RAGLAND (PARCEL ID NO.
05-14-1, 05-14-19.2, 05-14-24); JOHN
WHITE, II (PARCEL ID NO. 05-14-21, 0518-3.1, 05-19-11.2); PETRIE DOBBS
BROWN (PARCEL ID NO. 05-18-3);
ADDISON DUNLAP DOBBS AND LEE
FILMORE DOBBS, III (PARCEL ID NO.

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 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 3 of 15 PageID #: 3

05-18-3); OSCAR D. DARAGO (PARCEL
ID NO. 05-18-11); MAURY W. JOHNSON
(PARCEL ID NO. 05-19-8, 05-19-10);
MAURY W. JOHNSON, DAVID ALLEN
JOHNSON, WAYNE JOHNSON, AND
EVERETT JOHNSON, JR. (PARCEL ID
NO. 05-19-9); CLARENCE FRANK SILLS,
JR. AND KELLEY ANNE SANDELL SILLS
(PARCEL ID NO. 05-25-1, 05-25-1.6);
NORVEL P. AND JEAN M. MANN
(PARCEL ID NO. 05-25-32, 03-12-4.1);
JAMES O. GORE (PARCEL ID NO. 03-127, 03-12-8); DAVID R. HUGHES (PARCEL
ID NO. 03-12-9); JAMES O. GORE, BARRY
G. AND LISA B. MEADOWS, AND ZANE
R. LAWHORN (PARCEL ID NO. 03-12-18);
JAMES ROBERT PERSINGER AND
LILLIAN SUE PERSINGER (PARCEL ID
NO. 03-12-19); STEPHEN C. AND LORRIE
P. BROYLES (PARCEL ID NO. 05-31-25.3);
TRUSTEE OF THE PAULETTE A. SEARS
FAMILY TRUST (PARCEL ID NO. 03-1832, 03-18-4); MELANIE J. MILLER
(PARCEL ID NO. 03-18-8, 03-18-9, 03-1810); ANNE C. CHAMBERS, EXECUTRIX
OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS P. LONG
(PARCEL ID NO. 03-18-23.3); CAROL M.
AND KENNETH L. VASS (PARCEL ID
NO. 03-18-23.4); CYNTHIA A. BROYLES
MORRIS, TRUSTEE OF THE WILLIAM S.
BROYLES REVOCABLE TRUST AND
THE VIRGINIA B. BROYES REVOCABLE
TRUST (PARCEL ID NO. 03-24-39); ROY
P. AND JOYCE A. REESE (PARCEL ID
NO. 03-30-20); TRUSTEE OF THE LACY
H. TONEY FARM TRUST (PARCEL ID
NO. 03-30-18); MOUNTAIN LAIR, LLC
(PARCEL ID NO. 03-30-38); DENNIS F.
AND CARLA D. FOUNTAIN (PARCEL ID
NO. 05-19-36, 05-19-24); NORVEL P. AND
JEAN M. MANN AND THOMAS B. AND
HANNAH G. MANN (PARCEL ID NO. 0525-31.4, 05-25-31.1); THOMAS E. AND
ROSETTA B. TONEY AND AUSTIN B.
TONEY (PARCEL ID NO. 03-12-6);
DANNY SPENCE, JR., ADMINISTRATOR

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 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 4 of 15 PageID #: 4

OF THE ESTATE OF DANNIE LEE
SPENCE (PARCEL ID NO. 03-12-17);
LAURA BOWEN-COFFELT, TRUSTEE OF
THE SUSAN H. LEEPER (A/K/A ELLA
SUSAN HOUCINS) REVOCABLE LIVING
TRUST (PARCEL ID NO. 09-17-10);
MONTE G. AND ELORA C. MCKENZIE
(PARCEL ID NO. 09-17-21); EARL C. AND
PATRICIA J. WILLIAMS (PARCEL ID NO.
05-25-1.13); ROGER D. AND REBECCA H.
CRABTREE (PARCEL ID NO. 03-30-18.8);
RODGER L. AND MARJORIE BOOTHE
(PARCEL ID NO. 03-18-3); CHERYL
BOWERS (PARCEL ID NO. 03-18-11);
BONNIE LAREW WALSH, GLADYS
LAREW CARTER, JAMES TULLY
LAREW, AND JANET LAREW HAAG
(PARCEL ID NO. 05-14-25); ALLAN
WALTER LEHR (PARCEL ID NO. 3-1222); HEIRS OF J.H. HARRAH (PARCEL ID
NO. 3-12-23); IRA HICKMAN HARRAH,
JR. (PARCEL ID NO. 3-18-15); RICHARD
AND ANNE M. BERKLEY (PARCEL ID
NO. 7-4-20); CONNIE HARPER (PARCEL
ID NO. 7-4-19); MELISSA A. LESLIE
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-4-19); ANTHONY D.
RICHMOND (PARCEL ID NO. 7-4-19);
DENNIS WAYNE RICHMOND (PARCEL
ID NO. 7-4-19); RHONDA RICHMOND,
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF
ROGER L. RICHMOND (PARCEL ID NO.
7-4-19); SANDRA RICHMOND (PARCEL
ID NO. 7-4-19); ERVIN E. RICHMOND
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-4-19); GERALD K.
RICHMOND (PARCEL ID NO. 7-4-19);
JESSE JAMES RICHMOND (PARCEL ID
NO. 7-4-19); CAROLYN S. WALLS
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-4-19); RICHARD
DEAN WARD (PARCEL ID NO. 7-4-19);
KERRY N. AND CHERYL L. BOONE
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-7-27.2); ASHBY A.
AND EMMA JEAN BOONE AND
DOROTHY MARIE BOONE FOGLE
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-7-27.3); ROBERT M.
JARRELL (PARCEL ID NO. 7-11-15);
MARK GREY SMITH (PARCEL ID NO. 7-

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 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 5 of 15 PageID #: 5

15A-5); ORUS ASHBY BERKLEY
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-15A-13, 7-15A-13.1);
TAMMY A. CAPALDO AND CAITLYN A.
GRAGG (PARCEL ID NO. 7-15-125);
GENE AND PHYLLIS M. WISEMAN,
TRUSTEES OF THE WISEMAN LIVING
TRUST (PARCEL ID NO. 7-15-25);
ROBERT JACKSON HOLT (PARCEL ID
NO. 3-23-16, 3-23-12, 3-23-15); PHILIP J.
HARRAH (PARCEL ID NO. 3-23-12.3, 323-12.4); REINHARD BOUMAN AND
ASHOFTEH ASSAD-BOUMAN (PARCEL
ID NO. 3-18-17, 3-23-12.2, 3-23-24, 3-18-16,
3-23-12.5); MEADOW CREEK COAL
CORPORATION (PARCEL ID NO. 7-420.1); KIRANASA SWAMI (PARCEL ID
NO. 3-18-17.1); DANNY R. AND
GREGORY L. BERRY (PARCEL ID NO. 715-80.7-80.13); LC MILLER, JR (PARCEL
ID NO. 7-13D-11); JAMES R. MILLER
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-13D-11); CHARLES D.
SIMMONS ESTATE, SHARON D.
SIMMONS, ADMINISTRATRIX (PARCEL
ID NO. 7-13D-11, 7-13D-15); JOSHUA D.
SIMMONS AND JERRY L. CANNADY
(PARCEL ID NOS. 7-13D-11, 7-13D-15);
BRYAN SIMMONS (PARCEL ID NO. 713D-11); JOSHUA SIMMONS (PARCEL ID
NO. 7-13D-11); RED HAWK TRUST
(PARCEL ID NO. 7-13E-10); WILLIAM G.
LLOYD (PARCEL ID NO. 7-12F-11);
JAMES MCALLISTER (PARCEL ID NO. 713F-2); HILRY GORDON (PARCEL ID NO.
14-123-41); CHAD W. JOHNSON (PARCEL
ID NO. 14-163-86); MARTHA JEAN
KOTSCHENREUTHER, KAREN JEAN
KOTSCHENREUTHER, AND ELSA LYN
KOTSCHENREUTHER (PARCEL ID NO.
14-163-86); ESTATE OF BARBARA JUNE
REGER (PARCEL ID NO. 14-163-86);
BARRY G. PALLAY (PARCEL ID NO. 18242-23.1); ADAM L. MATHENY (PARCEL
ID NO. 18-282-108); GLENN D.
MATHENY, II (PARCEL ID NO. 18-282108); CHARLES F. CHONG AND
REBECCA ANN ENEIX-CHONG (PARCEL

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 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 6 of 15 PageID #: 6

ID NO. 18-322-14); COURTNEY CECIL
AND STACEY POSTUS (PARCEL ID NO.
18-321-40); CLIFFORD S. AND LAURA
CLEAVENGER (PARCEL ID NO. 18-32140); TERESA D ERICKSON, POA FOR
GERALD WAYNE CORDER (PARCEL ID
NO. 20-362-20); LORENA B. KRAFFT,
POA FOR RANDALL N. CORDER
(PARCEL ID NO. 20-362-21); KINCHELOE
MITIGATION HOLDINGS LLC (PARCEL
ID NO. 20-421-8, 20-421-5, 20-421-4, & 20421-6, 03-4A-27 & 03-4A-29); DANNY
AND TINA MARTIN (PARCEL ID NO. 18321-40.5, 18-321-41); GARY CASTO,
SHARON CASTO, AND AVERAL TODD
CASTO (PARCEL ID NO. 02-4J-39.1);
ARTHUR C. AND JUDY D. ROBERTS
(PARCEL ID NO. 02-4L-19, 02-4L-12);
FRED L. GOLDEN (PARCEL ID NO. 014M-10, 01-4M-10.1); SHERMAN AND
MARY GAMBLE (PARCEL ID NO. 01-5P5); DAVID FINSTER (PARCEL ID NO. 024L-16); DONALD J. FINSTER AND PAUL
W. FINSTER (PARCEL ID NO. 02-4L-16);
DANA M. FINSTER (PARCEL ID NO. 024L-25); LEONARD G. FINSTER, JR.
(PARCEL ID NO. 02-4L-25); VENICE
EILEEN FINSTER (PARCEL ID NO. 02-4L25); DIANA WIMER (PARCEL ID NO. 024L-25); BRIAN AND HELEN MONTAGUE
VAN NOSTRAND (PARCEL ID NO. 6-6D10); GEORGE ERNEST BRIGHT (PARCEL
ID NO. 6-6E-1); TRUSTEE OF THE JOHN
A. BRIGHT REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST
(PARCEL ID NO. 6-6E-1); WILLIAM
TOWNSEND BRIGHT (PARCEL ID NO. 66E-1); WILLIAM H. BROWN, JR.
(PARCEL ID NO. 6-6E-1); WILLIAM B.
MORRISON AND ROBERT J. MORRISON,
TRUSTEES UNDER THE WILL OF A. L.
MORRISON FOR THE BENEFIT OF C. F.
MORRISON, HELENA M. BERRY,
HERMAN R. MORRISON, MARTHA M.
COOPER, RUTH M. WARD, MABEL M.
LEWIS, WILLIAM B. MORRISON, AND
ROBERT J. MORRISON (PARCEL ID NO.

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 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 7 of 15 PageID #: 7

6-6E-1); MARY E. SEBRING (PARCEL ID
NO. 6-6E-1); MEGANN M. SHEPPARD
(PARCEL ID NO. 6-6E-1); JESSE FRANK
WILLIAMS IV OF THE WMS
WVMINERALS TRUST (PARCEL ID NO.
6-6E-1); ICG EASTERN, LLC (PARCEL ID
NO. 4-4P-01, 4-4Q-13.1, 4-4Q-15, 4-4Q-16);
WESTERN POCAHONTAS PROPERTIES
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (PARCEL ID
NO. 6-5F-1, 1-31-10, 1-30-8, 5-26-2); DALE
EASTHAM, TRAVIS EASTHAM,
ANDREW FAIRBANKS, BRENT
FAIRBANKS, DAVID FAIRBANKS,
MICHAEL FAIRBANKS, EDWARD
CHARLES SMITH, SR., EDWARD
CHARLES SMITH, II, TODD EDWARD
SMITH, AND JEREMY COLLINS
(PARCEL ID NO. 04-14-39.3); NANCY
JANE SHEWMAKE BATES (PARCEL ID
NO. 04-35-11); JOHN H. AND PAMELA J.
MELVIN (PARCEL ID NO. 04-29A-1.14);
and UNKNOWN PERSONS AND
INTERESTED PARTIES,
Defendants.

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 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 8 of 15 PageID #: 8

COMPLAINT
Pursuant to its power of eminent domain as authorized by the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C.
§§ 717-717z and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 71.1, plaintiff Mountain Valley Pipeline,
L.L.C. (“MVP”) files this Complaint to condemn property interests necessary for the
construction, operation, and maintenance of an interstate pipeline and associated appurtenances
necessary for its operation (the “MVP Project”) across properties in the counties of Greenbrier,
Monroe, Nicholas, Summers, Braxton, Harrison, Lewis, Webster, and Wetzel, West Virginia
owned by defendants D. Lane McMillion; D. Lane McMillion and Dale L. and Alicia D.
McMillion; Paco Land, Inc.; Brian and Beth Armstrong; Jerry Allen and Mary E. Hammons,
Bruce A. & Kimberly Roberts; Todd E. White; Tamara L. White Delong; Virginia D. and
Connie McClung; Artie Orlena Robinson and David Lane Robinson; Quinwood Coal Company
f/k/a Alex Energy, LLC f/k/a Alex Energy, Inc. f/k/a Green Valley Coal Company, LLC; Estate
of C. L. Keener; James Keener; Johnnie Ray Keener, Brande Nicole Keener, and David Harmon;
Thomas Keener; Clyde Fox, Michael Fox, Naomi J. Fox, and Robert W. Fox; Naomi J. and
Robert W. Fox; Rex Coal Land Company; Eugene Ray and Tina Robin Tuckwiller; Silas Steven
and Laurel Tucker; Jeffrey Dewayne Osborne; Ronald and Elisabeth Tobey; Unknown Heirs of
Martha I. Kessler; Unknown Heirs of Mary L. Surbaugh; Unknown Heirs of Nora E. Vandall;
Unkown Heirs of Azel Ford Zickafoose; Unknown Heirs of Joseph Orville Zickafoose;
Unknown Heirs of Robert C. Zickafoose; Doreen S. Allen, Fredereck M. Osborne, Jo Lynn
Blankenship, Mickey D. Osborne, and Scott S. Osborne; Donna M. Huffman; Norvel P. and Jean
M. Mann, Thomas B. and Hannah G. Mann, and Chloda Crosier; William H. Mann, Lucy G.
Booth, Harry L. Mann, Nancy L. Phillips, Donald E. Mann, Carl E. Mann, Larry W. Mann, and
Bonnie K. Barberie; Rebecca K. Bragg; Landcey Ragland; John White, II; Petrie Dobbs Brown;

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 9 of 15 PageID #: 9

Addison Dunlap Dobbs and Lee Filmore Dobbs, III; Oscar D. Darago; Maury W. Johnson;
Maury W. Johnson, David Allen Johnson, Wayne Johnson, and Everett Johnson, Jr.; Clarence
Frank Sills, Jr. and Kelley Anne Sandell Sills; Norvel P. and Jean M. Mann; James O. Gore;
David R. Hughes; James O. Gore, Barry G. and Lisa B. Meadows, and Zane R. Lawhorn; James
Robert Persinger and Lillian Sue Persinger; Stephen C. and Lorrie P. Broyles; Trustee of The
Paulette A. Sears Family Trust; Melanie J. Miller; Anne C. Chambers, Executrix of the Estate of
Thomas P. Long; Carol M. and Kenneth L. Vass; Cynthia A. Broyles Morris, Trustee of the
William S. Broyles Revocable Trust and the Virginia B. Broyes Revocable Trust; Roy P. and
Joyce A. Reese; Lacy H. Toney, Trustee of the Lacy H. Toney Farm Trust; Mountain Lair, LLC;
Dennis F. and Carla D. Fountain; Norvel P. and Jean M. Mann and Thomas B. and Hannah G.
Mann; Thomas E. and Rosetta B. Toney and Austin B. Toney; Danny Spence, Jr., Administrator
of the Estate of Dannie Lee Spence; Laura Bowen-Coffelt, Trustee of the Susan H. Leeper (a/k/a
Ella Susan Houcins) Revocable Living Trust; Monte G. and Elora C. McKenzie; Earl C. and
Patricia J. Williams; Roger D. and Rebecca H. Crabtree; Rodger L. and Marjorie Boothe; Cheryl
Bowers; Bonnie Larew Walsh, Gladys Larew Carter, James Tully Larew, and Janet Larew Haag;
Allan Walter Lehr; Heirs of J.H. Harrah; Ira Hickman Harrah, Jr.; Richard and Anne M. Berkley;
Connie Harper; Melissa A. Leslie; Anthony D. Richmond; Dennis Wayne Richmond; Rhonda
Richmond, Administrator of the Estate of Roger L. Richmond; Sandra Richmond; Ervin E.
Richmond; Gerald K. Richmond; Jesse James Richmond; Carolyn S. Walls; Richard Dean Ward;
Kerry N. and Cheryl L. Boone; Ashby A. and Emma Jean Boone and Dorothy Marie Boone
Fogle; Robert M. Jarrell; Mark Grey Smith; Orus Ashby Berkley; Tammy A. Capaldo and
Caitlyn A. Gragg; Gene and Phyllis M. Wiseman, Trustees of the Wiseman Living Trust; Robert
Jackson Holt; Philip J. Harrah; Reinhard Bouman and Ashofteh Assad-Bouman; Meadow Creek

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 10 of 15 PageID #: 10

Coal Corporation; Kiranasa Swami; Gregory L. Berry; LC Miller, Jr; James R. Miller; Charles
D. Simmons Estate, Sharon D. Simmons, Administratrix; Sharon G. Simmons, Administratrix of
the Charles D. Simmons Estate; Bryan Simmons; Joshua Simmons; Joshua D. Simmons and
Jerry L. Cannady; Red Hawk Trust; William G. Lloyd; James McAllister; Hilry Gordon; Estate
of Barbara June Reger; Barry G. Pallay; Adam L. Matheny; Glenn D. Matheny, II; Charles F.
Chong and Rebecca Ann Eneix-Chong; Courtney Cecil and Stacey Postus; Clifford S. and Laura
Cleavenger; Teresa D Erickson, POA for Gerald Wayne Corder; Lorena B. Krafft, POA for
Randall N. Corder; Kincheloe Mitigation Holdings LLC; Danny and Tina Martin; Gary Casto,
Sharon Casto, and Averal Todd Casto; Arthur C. and Judy D. Roberts; Fred L. Golden; Sherman
and Mary Gamble; David Finster; Donald J. Finster and Paul W. Finster; Dana M. Finster;
Leonard G. Finster, Jr.; Venice Eileen Finster; Diana Wimer; Brian and Helen Montague Van
Nostrand; George Ernest Bright; Trustee of The John A. Bright Revocable Living Trust; William
Townsend Bright; William H. Brown, Jr.; William B. Morrison and Robert J. Morrison, Trustees
under the Will of A. L. Morrison for the benefit of C. F. Morrison, Helena M. Berry, Herman R.
Morrison, Martha M. Cooper, Ruth M. Ward, Mabel M. Lewis, William B. Morrison, and Robert
J. Morrison; Mary E. Sebring; Megann M. Sheppard; Jesse Frank Williams IV of the WMS
WVMinerals Trust; ICG Eastern, LLC; Western Pocahontas Properties Limited Partnership;
Dale Eastham, Travis Eastham, Andrew Fairbanks, Brent Fairbanks, David Fairbanks, Michael
Fairbanks, Edward Charles Smith, Sr., Edward Charles Smith, II, Todd Edward Smith, and
Jeremy Collins; Nancy Jane Shewmake Bates; John H. and Pamela J. Melvin and Unknown
Persons and Interested Parties (the “Landowners”).
On October 13, 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) determined
that the MVP Project is in the public interest and issued an Order granting a Certificate of Public

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 11 of 15 PageID #: 11

Convenience and Necessity for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the MVP Project,
which includes approximately 303 miles of new 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, three new
compressor stations, four new meter and regulation stations and interconnections, and other
appurtenances. The MVP Project seeks to help meet the public’s demand for natural gas in the
Mid- and South Atlantic regions of the United States by providing transportation of natural gas
from the Marcellus and Utica Shale Formations in central Appalachia. The pipeline will be
capable of transporting at least two million dekatherms per day of natural gas. Construction of
the pipeline and appurtenant natural gas facilities of the MVP Project as certificated by the
FERC requires easements for permanent and exclusive rights-of-way, access road rights-of-way,
temporary construction rights-of-way, and temporary workspace rights-of-way across certain
properties located in multiple counties in West Virginia. Accordingly, it is necessary for MVP to
acquire temporary and permanent easements across those properties. The specific properties,
Landowners, and the specific rights-of-way condemned on each property are identified in
Exhibit A. Condemnation is necessary because MVP has been unable to negotiate mutually
agreeable easement agreements with the Landowners. In support of its Complaint, MVP states:
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1.

This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to the

condemnation authority in Section 7(h) of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. § 717f(h) and federal
question jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1331.
2.

The Landowners contend, or are expected to contend, that the value of the

property interests condemned exceeds $3,000.
͵Ǥ

Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) because properties to be

condemned are located within the Southern District of West Virginia. 

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 12 of 15 PageID #: 12

THE AUTHORITY TO CONDEMN
4.

MVP is a joint venture between EQT Midstream Partners, L.P.; NextEra US Gas

Assets, LLC; Con Edison Gas Midstream, LLC; WGL Midstream; and RGC Midstream, LLC.
MVP is a “natural gas company” within the meaning of Section 2(6) of the Natural Gas Act, 15
U.S.C. § 717a(6).
5.

On October 13, 2017, the FERC issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and

Necessity to MVP for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the MVP Project, which
includes approximately 303 miles of new 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline from Wetzel
County, West Virginia to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, three new compressor stations, four new
meter and regulation stations and interconnections, and other appurtenances. See FERC
Certificate, attached as Exhibit B.
6.

The MVP Project seeks to help meet the public’s demand for natural gas in the

Mid- and South Atlantic regions of the United States by providing transportation of natural gas
from the Marcellus and Utica Shale Formations in central Appalachia. The pipeline will be
capable of transporting at least two million dekatherms per day of natural gas.
7.

To construct the MVP Project as certificated by the FERC, it is necessary for

MVP to acquire easements for permanent and exclusive rights-of-way, access road rights-ofway, temporary construction rights-of-way, and temporary workspace rights-of-way across the
properties in the counties of Greenbrier, Monroe, Nicholas, Summers, Braxton, Harrison, Lewis,
Webster, and Wetzel, West Virginia identified in Exhibit A.
8.

MVP made offers to the Landowners to acquire the necessary property rights for

easements across the properties identified in Exhibit A, but has been unable to acquire those
property rights by agreement from the Landowners.

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 13 of 15 PageID #: 13

9.

Pursuant to Section 7(h) of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. § 717f(h), MVP has

the right to acquire the necessary property interests described below to construct, operate, and
maintain the MVP Project.
THE EASEMENTS TO BE TAKEN
10.

In accordance with the FERC Certificate Order, MVP condemns necessary

temporary and permanent access easements, temporary and permanent workspace and additional
workspace easements, temporary and permanent anode bed easements, and easements for
permanent and exclusive rights-of-way on and across properties of Landowners as described
herein and shown on the maps/plats attached as Exhibit C.
11.

The easements may include, as more specifically identified on the map/plat for

each property:
a.

Permanent and exclusive rights-of-way of 50 feet in width to construct,

operate, protect, maintain, replace, repair, remove, or abandon the pipeline and
appurtenant equipment and facilities;
b.

Ingress to and egress from the rights-of-way by means of the permanent

and temporary access roads, which MVP may construct, improve, maintain, or
replace as necessary or convenient;
c.

The right of ingress and egress to, from, on, and across the permanent and

exclusive rights-of-way to access other properties or sections of the pipeline and
appurtenant equipment and facilities.
d.

Temporary and permanent workspace and additional workspace;

e.

Temporary and permanent anode bed easements and workspace; and

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 14 of 15 PageID #: 14

f.

The right to clear trees, brush, or other vegetation as necessary or

convenient for the safe and efficient construction, operation, or maintenance of
the pipeline or access roads.
12.

The pipeline, except for risers, valves, drips, hydrate removal systems, line

markers, cathodic protection, and test standards, and other appurtenant equipment and facilities
reasonably required, shall be buried so as not to interfere with the cultivation of the land. The
Landowners may fully use and enjoy the premises to the extent that such use and enjoyment does
not interfere with or obstruct MVP’s rights described herein. The Landowners shall not, without
the prior written consent of MVP: (a) change the depth of cover over the permanent and
exclusive rights-of-way for the installed pipeline, (b) place or permit to be placed any temporary
or permanent structure or obstruction of any kind, including but not limited to buildings,
swimming pools, sheds, paved roadways, concrete pads or sidewalks, mobile homes, trees,
telephone poles or wires, electric poles or wires, water or sewer lines, meters or utility boxes, or
the like on or over the permanent and exclusive rights-of-way for the installed pipeline; (c) store
any materials of any kind on the rights-of-way or operate or allow to be operated over the rightsof-way any heavy machinery or equipment that is in excess of 40,000 pounds or that may
damage the pipeline or its appurtenant equipment or facilities; or (d) permit the rights-of-way to
be covered by standing water, except in the course of normal seasonal irrigation.
THE PROPERTY OWNERS
13.

Upon information and belief, and after a reasonably diligent search of public

records, the individuals claiming an interest in the property rights being condemned are
identified in Exhibit A.

 Case 2:17-cv-04214 Document 1 Filed 10/24/17 Page 15 of 15 PageID #: 15

OTHERS WHO MAY CLAIM AN INTEREST
14.

There may be other persons who claim an interest in the property rights being

condemned whose names are unknown to MVP because their identities could not be learned by
diligent inquiry. These persons have been made parties to this action as permitted by Rule 71.1
of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
WHEREFORE, MVP requests that this Court:
a.

Enter an Order granting MVP the property rights described above;

b.

Grant MVP immediate access and entry on the above described easements prior to

the determination of just compensation upon the posting of an appropriate bond;
c.

Determine and award just compensation to the Landowners for the taking of the

temporary and permanent easements; and
d.

Grant such other relief as may be just and proper.

October 24, 2017
REED SMITH LLP
/s/ Lucas Liben
Nicolle R. Snyder Bagnell
W.V. I.D. No. 11081
Lucas Liben
W.V. I.D. No. 11832
Reed Smith Centre
225 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 288-3131
nbagnell@reedsmith.com
lliben@reedsmith.com
Counsel for Mountain Valley Pipeline,
L.L.C.