Hendersonville Lightning Unveils the Ecusta Trail’s Controversial Side
February 15, 2024In Henderson County, North Carolina, Hendersonville Lightning talked to landowners affected by the Ecusta Trail construction who feel disheartened by the taking of their property for trail use. One landowner in particular, Roxy Goodwin, expressed concerns about the lack of communication and collaboration with the contractor involved with trail development after her stone wall, gravel driveway, and Leyland Cypress trees were all removed with little communication about the process. Many landowners are also awaiting just compensation from the Federal Government for the taking of their land. Lewis Rice attorneys Lindsay S. C. Brinton and Meghan S. Largent represent many of the landowners along the Ecusta Trail. While Lindsay and Meghan are "trail neutral", their goal is to obtain compensation from the government for the taking of these property owners' land.
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Lewis Rice's federal takings attorneys represent landowners throughout the United States pursuing takings claims against the federal government. One primary focus of the group is representing landowners in what is commonly referred to as rails to trails takings. Attorneys in this group litigate cases in the United States Court of Federal Claims on behalf of those whose property was taken by the federal government pursuant to the National Trails System Act, which authorizes abandoned railroad lines to be converted to public parks. The goal is to obtain compensation from the government for the taking of their land for the public recreational trail.