Condemning agencies contemplating the use of eminent domain at times hire third-party acquisition agents to purchase properties ahead of an incoming infrastructure project without the provision of written good faith offers....more
Water Agencies Beware Before Proceeding with Forced Municipalization - California’s state water system serves roughly 40 million people and irrigates nearly 10 million acres of farmland. The 2023 water year was ranked as...more
This past week I had the opportunity to attend the International Right of Way Association’s (IRWA) Region 1 Fall Forum and Symposium in San Diego, California. On Friday, Brad Kuhn and I presented an update on recent federal...more
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—signed into law in 2021—authorizes $1.2 trillion in spending for public works projects, such as highway widenings. Millions of acres of private property will likely be needed...more
With state, local, and federal governments beginning a new emphasis on infrastructure growth and improvements, many individuals owning property along roadways, railways, and other infrastructure areas, may soon find...more
Both Democrats and Republicans support a major infusion of funding into rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure. We’re not just talking about roads, bridges and highways — airports, the smart grid, water systems, electricity...more
San Miguel Electric Coop is a Texas nonprofit electric cooperative that owns and operates a power plant that supplies electricity to 38 Texas counties. After a four-week absence, they return to these pages, this time in DCP...more
Government projects to build or expand roadways, erect public buildings, and install infrastructure, such as sewer, water and electrical lines, all require land. So long as building projects meet certain requirements,...more
The Charlottesville paper recently ran an interesting story about how local road improvement projects will test the limits and scope of the Commonwealth's new eminent domain law. The new laws are comprised of reforms passed...more
Last week, the Agoura Hills City Council approved acquiring 14 properties through eminent domain for its Augora Road Widening and Canwood Street Improvement Project, as reported by The Acorn. The purpose of the project is to...more
In a ruling that benefits public agencies, a state appellate court yesterday overturned a finding of precondemnation liability against the California Department of Transportation. The court held that a causal relationship...more