(AP) — An influx of oil operators in northeast Kansas to reactivate old mineral leases has some property owners feeling like they’re being crowded out of their own land.

The Lawrence Journal-World  reports residents like Victoria and Fernando Guerrero are seeing their property values go down because of the number of new wells.

The couple was stunned last February when they returned to property they purchased before going overseas for Fernando’s two-year military employment.

The land where they had planned to build their dream home was dotted with oil wells, and there’s not enough room to build because of set-back requirements.

State Sen. Tim Holland, a Baldwin City Democrat, has introduced a bill to give property holders more rights, but it hasn’t been scheduled for a hearing.