Landowner Rights

As someone who has been on both ends — and at several points in between — of the landowner rights discussion spectrum, my position on landowner rights is not based solely on watching meetings or reacting to social media rhetoric.

It is shaped by lived experience.

My view:

Property ownership includes the right to pursue lawful use and to expect protection from government overreach.

My story and my view

Landowner Rights - Eminent Domain

I spent nearly two decades working closely with regulatory policy surrounding infrastructure projects. I also have direct experience with infrastructure projects as a landowner, including a very real threat of eminent domain related to a potential project.

My family has experienced the negatives of development:

Private access points used instead of utility easements
Open gates and loose livestock
Work conducted without courtesy communication
Trucks driven through soft ground
Trees removed and fences damaged

And we have also had positive experiences, albeit limited.

Only four years ago, we sat with Burleigh County representatives and walked through options being explored for a highway overpass and expansion. Depending on the chosen path, a significant portion of our land was identified as being taken in the public interest.

In that case, the conversation was held early. We felt included. I cannot say that has been the norm for other public infrastructure projects in the area where we’ve lived for over 30 years.

My View:

Forced transfer through eminent domain must remain rare, a true last resort reserved only for clear public infrastructure necessity.