GDG- Re: Gettysburg Digest, Vol 42, Issue 8

[Margaret D. Blough]

There are also issues, usually state law ones, regarding what rights a property owner has and/or can convey to a seller (in Pennsylvania, frequently all that someone who buys land can acquire are the property rights and underground rights can belong to another, as some who buy land over a coal seam sometimes learn the hard way.) and what rights others have regardless of what the primary property owner wants (there's a Pennsylvania law granting access to a landlocked property across the property of another which is controversial both in its text and in its interpretation).  The NPS should be cautious in extrapolating one experience to another. Also, inaction in the past does not excuse inaction in the future, particularly if you put people on notice of the change in policy.

The NPS might use eminent domain to deal with these easements and other conflicting rights but that will require both support and approval from Interior (use of the power of public domain usually is very unpopular with locals) and Congress and money.

Regards,

Margaret

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: willowreed at aol.com 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> Hi Everyone, 
> 
> Esteemed member Greg said " 
> 
> Hello, 
> 
> 
> 
> What worries me about this is the recent Harper's Ferry problem where developers 
> put a pipeline in across NPS protected property and, to date, neither they nor 
> the Dept. of the Interior have done squat about it other than roll over and play 
> dead! 
> 
> 
> 
> Let them catch a couple relic hunters and its thousands of dollars of fines and 
> jail time - put in a pipeline and nothing! 
> 
> With this issue still hanging out there I personally have very little confidence 
> in the NPS or DOI to protect Gettysburg from a waterpark. 
> 
> Greg Biggs" 
> 
> 
> I think this is an issue facing many areas in this country. I see it where I 
> live too. If there is a developer involved, and 
> there is money (should I say MONEY) involved, the open spaces become a 
> playground for idiocy. 
> 
> I know that public pressure can force a change, but there has to be LOTS of 
> noise about it. 
> (Noise enough to get MONEY from sources that do not want said project). 
> 
> I wonder if there are any other organizations (lobbyists?) that would get 
> involved on Gettyburg's behalf? 
> 
> (and other parks as well). 
> 
> Suzanne 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________________________________________________ 
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