Waldo Christmas Tree Farm Owner Fights Back After Pipeline Company Cuts Down Trees
Waldo Christmas tree farm fights back after pipeline company cuts down hundreds of trees, owner refuses NDA
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Jon Bigler, owner of a Christmas tree farm in Waldo, Wisconsin, is contesting the ANR Pipeline Company's decision to clear hundreds of trees from his property without permission. The company offered him nearly $32,000 in damages under a non-disclosure agreement that would prevent him from planting trees in the future, which Bigler rejected, seeking a fair resolution instead.
- 01Jon Bigler has operated his Christmas tree farm in Waldo, Wisconsin, for 30 years without issues until ANR Pipeline Company cut down trees near their pipeline.
- 02The pipeline company cleared trees within 25 feet of the pipeline, resulting in the loss of hundreds of trees ready for the holiday season.
- 03Bigler rejected a $32,000 compensation offer due to a non-disclosure agreement that would prevent him from replanting trees on the cleared land.
- 04TC Energy claims safety regulations necessitated the tree removal, stating the agreement allows for such actions without the landowner's permission.
- 05Bigler asserts that the right-of-way agreement process was not properly followed, as he was not consulted for a third-party negotiator.
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Jon Bigler, the owner of a Christmas tree farm in Waldo, Wisconsin, is in a dispute with ANR Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of TC Energy, after the company cleared hundreds of trees from his property without his consent. The pipeline runs beneath his land, and while it had never posed an issue before, the company recently removed trees within 25 feet of the pipeline, leaving only stumps. Bigler estimates the loss of trees ready for the holiday season is significant. The company offered him nearly $32,000 in damages, but the offer came with a non-disclosure agreement that would prevent him from planting any crops or trees in the future, which Bigler firmly rejected. He expressed frustration over the situation, stating that he feels unfairly treated and that the company did not follow the proper negotiation process outlined in a 1965 right-of-way agreement. TC Energy maintains that safety regulations necessitated the tree removal and that they are open to further negotiations with Bigler to resolve the matter.
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The tree removal directly affects Bigler's Christmas tree business, impacting his ability to sell trees during the holiday season.
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