Here's The Question I Really Wanted To Ask Re: Willow... Why Not Use Eminent Domain ???

[GGoss]

We've used it plenty of times throughout our history. And for things just like this.

Properties acquired over the hundred years since the creation of the Environment and Natural Resources Section are found all across the United States and touch the daily lives of Americans by housing government services, facilitating transportation infrastructure and national defense and national security installations, and providing recreational opportunities and environmental management areas.

Read the History (DOJ site) here: https://www.justice.gov/enrd/history-federal-use-eminent-domain

[Phoenix61]

1. It's already public land. nt

[GGoss]

3. Great !!! - Let's Turn It Into A National Park !!!

Like we did with Shenandoah, Mammoth Cave, and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks...

Or, Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida and the enlargement of the Redwood National Forest in California...

And, the expansion of Everglades National Park in Florida, and the creation of Valles Caldera National Preserve in New Mexico.

From public land to National Park would be a win/win, no ?

[lapfog_1]

2. as always, there is a West Wing Episode

The Antiquities Act is an actual law officially named The Antiquities Act of 1906. It was signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt and empowers the President to restrict the use of Federally owned land. However, the Antiquities Act only allows the President to create National Monuments, rather than National Parks, as suggested in this episode.

Used in Season 1 Episode "Enemies" where Josh comes up with a way to protect some land that two congress people want to open up for oil exploration. Bartlett signs the bill with the "land use rider" provision and will then declare a National Monument (Park in the episode) to keep the environment pristine. The Antiquities Act.

[Hortensis]

4. Unnecessary use would be a kind of shit-kicking.

Eminent domain has really bad associations of injustice to the people -- to the degree that even mentioning the term has a troublemaking effect.

Just word-associating the term with Democrats in power gets me a little excited.

[GGoss]

5. I'm Confused... How Would It Be "Unnecessary" ?

Condemn the land, take it from ConocoPhillips, pay them fair-market price, turn it into a park/reserve where no drilling is allowed.

[Hortensis]

7. That would be a highly AUTHORITARIAN government taking.

Our constitution is designed to protect us from those who think government should be used that way. And that "necessary" is whatever they decide it is.

The trumpists' mostly failed attempts to take private property to build their spite fence along the southern border is an example. With the protection of the law, some of the owners down there have successfully fought off this and similar attempts in the past.

[GGoss]

8. Did You Read The DOJ Link In My OP ???

It's been used many times, in many areas over the last 200+ years, to the benefit of all.

[inthewind21]

6. SMH