Bay Area Open Space District Plans Eminent Domain for Scenic Park
After decades of disputes, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) in the San Francisco Bay Area is about to play their ace card as they run out of options. In an effort to open to the public the summit of Mount Umunhum, a former Air Force base, the open space agency plans to acquire… Read more »
Central Subway Expansion in San Francisco Could Ruin Condo Plans
Efforts to expand the new Central Subway in San Francisco have been renewed by Supervisor Julie Christensen. She recently announced her efforts to purchase a key site required for the expansion of the subway project. The Central Subway Project seeks to improve public transportation in San Francisco by extending the Muni Metro T Third… Read more »
California Project News: California May Take 300 Farms by Eminent Domain for Delta Tunnel Project
The state of California has recently disclosed plans to acquire farmland for an unapproved waterway project that intends to divert water from parts of the Sacramento River. The Delta Waterway Tunnel Project (also known as the “Bay Delta Conservation Plan” or “California Waterfix”) is intended to provide water from Northern California to Southern California. This… Read more »
California Project News: More Property Being Targeted for Condemnation for High Speed Rail Project
Earlier this month, the State Publics Works Board approved and adopted Resolutions of Necessity (the agency’s decision to take property by eminent domain) for 12 more properties in the San Joaquin Valley required by the California High-Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”). Parcels impacted are in Fresno, Madera, Kings, and Tulare counties. The parcels total 53 acres,… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: Initial Segment of High Speed Rail Reduced by 8 Miles
A settlement agreement between the City of Bakersfield and California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) has resulted in an eight mile reduction of the initial 130-mile segment of the high speed rail in part of the Central Valley. Last December, CHSRA and the City of Bakersfield settled a lawsuit brought by Bakersfield city officials concerning… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA’s Proposed Palmdale to Burbank Routes Get Opposition from Southern California Cities and Residents
Opposition to the California High Speed Rail project is growing as Southern Californians’ concerns appear to be increasing over the proposed routes for the $68 billion bullet train’s Palmdale to Burbank segment. Approximately 300 city officials and residents from various Southern California cities attended California High Speed Rail Authority’s (“CHSRA”) Board meeting on Tuesday in… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA Updates State Legislature on the Bullet Train Project
This week, the California High Speed Rail Authority issued its biannual Project Update Report to the State Legislature. The report provides a synopsis of the Authority’s funding, environmental review, land acquisition (eminent domain), and construction activities for the California High Speed Rail Project. Of note, the Authority advises that the Project’s first operating segment… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: California High Speed Rail Settles Lawsuit with Bakersfield
Last month, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board held that the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, is pre-empted by federal environmental law relative to the Fresno-Bakersfield route of the proposed high speed rail. STB stated in their opinion that CEQA could delay or eliminate a rail project even after a federal board, such as the… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: California High Speed Rail Construction Slowed Down by Lack of Land
The recent approval of 160 parcels between Fresno and Kings County for segment two of the high speed rail track has stirred up some excitement for rail backers. As the California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) wastes no time in preparing for construction of the second segment, questions about the first segment construction arise. So… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: More Condemnation Approvals: California High Speel Rail Gears Up for More Acquisitions
On Wednesday, the State Public Works Board approved approximately 160 parcels between Fresno and Kings Counties for acquisition for the high-speed rail project. The California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) requested acquisition of the 160 parcels which, in addition to several hundred other parcels, they believe are necessary for the construction of the rail project…. Read more »