Standardizing the Burden For many landowners, an easement is seen as a loss of control. At S&A Trust, we view an easement as a Servitude—a contractual service provided by the land to a utility tenant. To ensure this relationship remains profitable and non-destructive, we utilize the S&A Infrastructure Servitude Checklist. This protocol ensures that every utility installation, from fiber optics to microwave towers, adheres to institutional-grade standards for site impact, noise mitigation, and future-proof access.
The Multi-Tenant Framework
Modern infrastructure requires density. Our checklist focuses on “Colocation Readiness.” When we negotiate for a microwave relay on the 262-ft Ridge Line, we don’t just plan for one tenant; we ensure the servitude allows for stacked infrastructure. This allows the Trust to maximize “Vertical Equity” without increasing the physical footprint of the equipment, preserving the surrounding timber stands and aesthetic integrity of the tract.
Case Study Snapshot
The High-Tension Mitigation During a recent utility expansion project, a regional power provider proposed a traditional easement that would have bifurcated a primary hardwood corridor. Using the Infrastructure Servitude Checklist, S&A Trust counter-proposed a “Restricted Access Corridor” that utilized existing logging roads and mandated the use of directional drilling for fiber lines. This preserved 100% of the high-value white oak stands while securing a 25-year, CPI-indexed revenue stream for the Trust.
Author Bio
Authored by Jamiel Cotman, Principal Trustee of S&A Trust. With an extensive background in utility infrastructure and industrial logistics, Mr. Cotman bridges the gap between raw land stewardship and the high-stakes world of mill operations. He manages S&A Trust with a focus on institutional-grade asset protection for the American landowner.
Citations
- American Land Title Association (ALTA): Standards for Rural Easements
- Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA): Standards for Rural Microwave Relay Infrastructure
- IEEE Standards for Infrastructure Access: Security Protocols for Rural Utility Relays
- S&A Trust Internal Standards: The Infrastructure Servitude Checklist