Residents in one of Georgia’s poorest counties say they will appeal a ruling that allows a railroad to forcibly purchase portions of their land.
The Georgia Public Service Commission ruled Wednesday that Sandersville Railroad Co. can use eminent domain to acquire land for a rail line in Sparta, Georgia, which is 85 miles (135 kilometers) southeast of Atlanta. The five Republicans on the elected regulatory commission voted unanimously to uphold an earlier decision from a hearing officer that property owners appealed. Last year, the board heard multiple days of testimony on the case.
The Institute for Justice, which represents the property owners, is working across states to limit the use of eminent domain. Any court ruling could have national implications for the use of eminent domain, which allows governments, and sometimes private companies like a railroad, to legally condemn properties for a project that serves a public use.
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