Eminent domain bill should concern land owners

Eminent domain bill should concern land owners

Editor:

As a landowner I am always wary of eminent domain legislation. I feel property owners need to take a close look at House Bill 198.

Eminent domain involves the taking of property for a "greater" public good. This bill has a narrow motivation; however, like all legislation passed into law, it will effect landowner rights for years to come. HB 198 was created in an attempt to solve an issue for the Montana Alberta Tie Line. MATL is a corporate entity wishing to construct and operate a private — for profit — "merchant" transmission line.

The majority of landowners are not interested in stopping projects that benefit the public good, but also want to protect their land and livelihoods and receive just compensation for their land. HB 198 leaves the landowner with little actual notice from companies targeting their property and little to no room to negotiate a good settlement before the condemning authority advances to the step of eminent domain.

Agriculture is Montana's No. 1 economy. Can we afford to sacrifice these good-paying jobs while relinquishing guarantee's that the use will be in the public good?

Cindy Webber, Big Timber

Editor:

As a landowner I am always wary of eminent domain legislation. I feel property owners need to take a close look at House Bill 198.

Eminent domain involves the taking of property for a "greater" public good. This bill has a narrow motivation; however, like all legislation passed into law, it will effect landowner rights for years to come. HB 198 was created in an attempt to solve an issue for the Montana Alberta Tie Line. MATL is a corporate entity wishing to construct and operate a private — for profit — "merchant" transmission line.

The majority of landowners are not interested in stopping projects that benefit the public good, but also want to protect their land and livelihoods and receive just compensation for their land. HB 198 leaves the landowner with little actual notice from companies targeting their property and little to no room to negotiate a good settlement before the condemning authority advances to the step of eminent domain.

Agriculture is Montana's No. 1 economy. Can we afford to sacrifice these good-paying jobs while relinquishing guarantee's that the use will be in the public good?

Cindy Webber, Big Timber