By John Barrett, Bailey Glasser, Charleston, West Virginia

The current fracking boom in West Virginia and Pennsylvania has prompted several proposals for major natural gas pipelines that would cut through West Virginia and Virginia. Landowners in those states may be affected and not even know it yet.

There are three major pipeline proposals in various states of development.

• Atlantic Coast Pipeline: A joint proposal by Dominion, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources, this 550-mile long pipeline would cross West Virginia and Virginia. The companies hope to begin construction in 2016.

• Mountain Valley Pipeline: This 330-mile pipeline would start in Wetzel County, W.Va., and end in Pittsylvania County, Va., traveling through Greenbrier and Summers counties in West Virginia and Montgomery, Roanoke and Franklin counties in Virginia.

• Appalachian Connector Pipeline: Formerly referred to as the Western Marcellus Pipeline, this proposal by Williams Transco would link the Marcellus Shale gas fields in northern West Virginia to southern Virginia, where the natural gas could be shipped to the Mid-Atlantic, the Southeast and export terminals on the Gulf Coast.

If you are in or near the path of one of these pipelines, you will need effective, experienced legal representation — and you will need that before you speak to anyone from a pipeline company.

If you have already been approached by a pipeline representative or received a letter from a company about a potential survey of your land, now is the time to find out your legal rights and get an advocate in your corner to look out for your interests.

Lawyers at Bailey Glasser have years of experience negotiating land transactions between energy companies and landowners, and have represented hundreds of landowners in disputes with energy companies. We know and understand the legal complexities governing the planning and construction of natural gas pipelines.

Any landowner who may be affected by one of these pipelines needs an advocate.