TAKING YOUR LAND FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPERS

 

 

 

 

Joyce Morrison
July 30, 2004
NewsWithViews.com

Land acquisitions in our local communities are not necessarily real estate transactions between two willing parties but are sometimes classified as controls and "takings." They come in many forms other than a deeded sale of property.

If we were to put a jigsaw puzzle together with each piece representing a "controlling program," we could see how close the puzzle is to being complete.

Each puzzle piece would be a designation to take private ownership of property away from the people of the United States. The property would be obtained by purchase or control.

The first piece is a big one, as it is the land belonging to the government. Federal, state and local governments now own over 40% of the land in the United States and are steadily buying more. Non-taxable land trusts and environmental groups are purchasing millions of acres using government grants, adding to the government property no longer owned by individuals.

The plan is to have 50% of the United States as wilderness where no people can live. This land is to be for animals only. The plan would be laughable if it were not actually happening. Every day we see grants used for the purchase of more open space and parks which are taking private lands out of private ownership forever.

Words such as "wildlands" or "wilderness areas," "biosphere reserves," "buffer zones," "corridors," and "core" are all part of the land acquisition scheme. These terms sound intriguing until we understand that their implementation is unconstitutional.

One part of the plan is the reintroduction of wild animals, which is happening throughout the United States. As a result, man has created an imbalance in nature resulting in too many deer. Now wolves and large cats are being released to control the deer.

The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) was created in 1983 to lead the recovery of the grizzly bear in the lower 48 states.

Coyotes, wolves, panthers, and other wild animals already threaten the poor domestic and livestock animals. In some areas, people are afraid to go outside or leave their animals unattended. Would hese people be forced to abandon rural life and move into the city if the Second Amendment were taken away and a man could not protect his family and property?

Invasive Species is another piece that would connect to the big piece of the puzzle. Plants and animals that were brought from other countries after the arrival in 1492 by Columbus are considered "invasive."

Most domestic pets, cows, and other animals and vegetables such as tomatoes were brought here from other countries when America was being settled. It is an unbelievable thought to have no pets, cattle, or other livestock and food plants. The "visioning process" would have them replaced with bear, buffalo, deer, elk, and native animals and prairie grass.

Not being able to raise the plants and animals of your choice, but to have them replaced with wild animals is another acquisition of your property.

Endangered Species is a big piece to that puzzle. Plants and animals can be listed as "endangered" without proof they really are endangered. If an endangered species is reported found on your property, you have virtually lost the rights to your property. This tactic is being used to keep the people off public lands as well as to take acquisition of property without having to pay for it.

Heritage Areas areas are very "luring" puzzle pieces. Heritage areas sound patriotic because we are proud of America�s heritage and we want to preserve our past. Certain parts of our rich heritage should be preserved, but then we realize many of the preservation areas targeted are privately owned property - and it could be your property. Heritage areas will now come under extreme regulations and control - forever. Another "takings."

Viewsheds are an interesting piece to the puzzle. Who owns the pretty view? The property owner or the viewer of the property? If you own something that is not pretty in the viewshed, "they" can figure a way to remove the clutter, and it just might be your home they consider as clutter.

In one particular viewshed, the houses must be a brown color with a green roof so they blend with the trees. In another viewshed, they want the houses and farm buildings removed.

Telecommunication towers and signs are the first visuals to be eliminated. If they can't own it, they will control it.

Conservation Easements are an environmentalist�s delight to get you to sign your property over while making you think you still own it. You think it is for preservation, but somewhere down the road someone might be enjoying a large return on your life�s investment. Who will want to buy the rest of your property with an attachment to the deed that is attached forever? Your banker won�t think the rest of your property a very good financial risk as there is no longer a clear title.

Wetlands are everywhere, and this puzzle piece has an interesting shape. The U.S. signed a world treaty in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, and now we must comply with regulations of wetlands. You may not know you own a wetland, but you will if you try to drain or fill it in to build a home or use your property. In Illinois, legislation is proposing a $10,000 per day fine for violations. This is another way to acquire your property without buying it. It is called "takings."

Smart Growth is the design for cities that will be built with stacked housing. City dwellers will live with zoning regulations that will control their property by design.

Using the ploy of urban sprawl, Smart Growth plans will draw a line around a city and people will live in sustainable communities in stacked housing within the circle where all their needs are contained within walking or bicycling distance.

For longer trips, mass transit will be available but how close will it come to the passenger's desired destination?

Does this sound like a world for the survival of the "fittest?" Are you aware of zero population growth measures? Rural cleansing will push more people into the cities, causing more congestion with the added populations.

Sustainable Development is a means to control almost everything. President Clinton passed the President�s Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD), which was kicked off in 1992 from the United Nation's Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro. The Government printing office (GPO) printed a stack of books on the subject, and our bureaus are using them to implement their goals. Our education system reeks with sustainable materials. Put the word "sustainable" in a search engine and see where it leads you.

River navigation and commerce are another major part of the puzzle�s acquisition efforts. The environmentalists want the dams and levees removed. The levees protect thousands of acres of rich farmland and the dams control the water levels for barge traffic and other navigation. "They" say it is because of fish that the water must flow free. In reality, these changes will control the buffers and corridors along the rivers, which are privately owned, as well as economically destroying the heartland of our nation.

Watersheds and storm water control puts huge pieces into the puzzle. The Mississippi River watershed comprises 41% of the area of the contiguous 48 states. Everyone lives in a watershed. A watershed is anywhere a drop of water falls. In some areas they are already imposing "rain taxes." No one will escape the regulations placed in a watershed district.

Tourism is a also a piece. Millions of dollars are poured into promoting tourism, but can the people who sell the trinkets make a living? In most areas tourism represents seasonal jobs that are part time with low pay and no benefits. Industry and factories are becoming "endangered work areas" and tourism is to be the replacement - but it is not working, and poor people are easily controlled.

Eminent Domain is the wildcard piece to fit into the puzzle when all other methods fail. The United States and state constitutions limit the power of eminent domain in two ways. For any property taken, the government must pay "just compensation."

Secondly, the government could take property only for "public use." Public use would be thought to be military bases, highways, bridges, prisons, courts and buildings for public proceedings. These were to be minimal acquisitions not meant for financial gain by the government.

Eminent Domain and quick take powers are now being used and abused to take property from folks who have lived in their homes for 50 years to be turned over to development agencies to build casinos, large stores or for other economical gains.

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Stand back and take a good look at the puzzle from a distance. What pieces do you see that are still missing? Do you see pieces of the puzzle falling into place in your community?

� 2004 Joyce Morrison - All Rights Reserved