I woke up one morning last summer to the sound of heavy equipment working in our back yard. Interesting way to wake up! Through on some clothes and went out to confront the backhoe driver, a friendly guy with a purpose. It seems the local cable company was running cable behind the houses on our street. They had an easement to do so, and they supposedly had notified the homeowners of the project beforehand. Either we did not get a notice, or my wife or I mistakenly tossed it. Nevertheless, there he was digging up willows (our back yard borders the wetlands) and plowing a trench. Once I understood, I knew both that I could do nothing about it and that I didn't care to, anyway. We were actually anticipating the arrival of high speed cable Internet access, and this is only part of what this project would provide. However, when I asked if they would replant the willows pulled up, he said no. That was not required. And he warned that we should not plant anything over the trench since the possibility always remains that they might have a need to open the trench again. So, even though we are in Summit County, the general laws of the land apply here, as well. There is a great article on easements that is worth reading. Benny Kass, writing for the Realty Times, covers the various types of easements, how they are established and what rights you might have. Keep in mind that most utility companies have easements on your land (unless you live in a very remote location). This gives them the right to install or repair lines, among other things. They are usually designed with benign goals in mind. So, it makes sense to understand them and to know where on your land easements are located. | 
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