Is there such a thing as "Surface Damage" on utility ROW?

Someone here can probably provide more in depth information, but generally they are not allowed to damage property beyond what is needed [like the digging up and replacing poles). They are supposed to repair anything that gets damaged including damage to your road they used for access.

Every agreement is somewhat different. A ROW agreement that was signed with a poor landowner in the 50s will read different than a ROW agreement signed with a wealthier landowner with large acreage who spelled out specific T&Cs.
But typically it will say they have access and have to repair grade and contour to original state and reseed with native grasses.
As for the reimbursement for food plots typically it states that damages will only be paid for the first time and anything after that they are not responsible for. But what that means is he is confined to the width of his ROW and any damages outside that ROW he has to reimburse or pay for access. I wouldn’t call it a food plot but maybe (first year crawfish pond, medical marijauna field or sugar cane)

I think you are jumping the gun by asking these questions now

Entergy will probably have an outside contractor come in once all work is done and land is dry enough to fix the mess. Entergy nor the contractor cutting the grass on ROW will want to have to navigate through ruts. They will fix them, give it a lil time.

May be a contractor who underbid the job. I would talk to Entergy directly.

I don’t work in the power line industry but I do work around pipelines everyday. The pipeline companies DO NOT like to upset the landowners at all.

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Do they have to put it back the way they found it? Do they have to smooth out the ruts and plant grass back or anything?

Also: Are they obligated to pay damages? Is that even a thing in utility ROW?

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It depends on what the agreement says.

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Well the agreements are actually kind of mute.

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Are you saying that the agreements don't address those issues (mute)? Or, are you saying that what the agreements might say about those issues don't matter (moot)? Because if the latter is what you mean, then you are are just wrong as it relates to the questions that you have asked. You asked what they "have" to do, not what their "blanket policy" says.

Man, we deal with this constantly….have 3 transmission lines from same company.

U have to hold their feet to the fire upfront…they make all kind of promises then dissappear when work is complete

I have way too much knowledge dealing with them

Like someone already said, the easement language governs their obligations. Older easements that were not well negotiated tend to be in their favor. Most will at least repair the ruts and put down grass seed.

Now you said they are going from wood to metal poles. There are easements that restrict to wood only. If it doesn't allow for upgrades such as pole type, voltage, number of conductors etc., they may be exceeding the rights they were granted. They would owe you for assuming rights greater than what the easement grants.

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I think you are jumping the gun by asking these questions now

Entergy will probably have an outside contractor come in once all work is done and land is dry enough to fix the mess.

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Not jumping the gun. It wouldn't hurt to call and ask if they intend to repair the damages. You may get the answer you want.

They will likely repair the R-O-W to a condition suitable for tractors with bushhogs to cut it. They don't want erosion on the R-O-W so they will likely seed the affected areas. They probably will not compensate you for the loss of your food plots.