The Obama Administration finally gave its formal approval to the California High-Speed Rail Authority to begin construction of the high-speed railway beginning in the Central Valley. The approval, which came in the form of a formal “record of decision” from the Federal Railroad Administration, gives the green light to the Authority to begin acquiring hundreds of parcels of property between Bakersfield and Merced for the initial starter segment of the high-speed train. The Authority plans to begin construction in spring 2013, a mere six months from now, but many landowners in the Central Valley, especially those owning land used for agricultural purposes, are strongly opposed to the project. For these landowners, the Authority will need to resort to condemnation to acquire the necessary parcels of land. Potential eminent domain lawsuits could number in the hundreds in courts throughout Central Valley counties.
For more information, please contact Mike Mills.