SIGN IN OPPOSITION TO TAKING THIS FARM LAND BY EMINENT DOMAIN
WASHINGTON, April 23, 2010 - The following is a joint statement from Sens. Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Peter Welch:
The ongoing dispute between hardworking family farmers and federal officials over the proposed Morses Line Port of Entry is emblematic of a process gone wrong. As part of a larger effort to update and improve border security, the federal government originally proposed spending $15 million on a new 10-acre border crossing station in an area with far lower traffic levels than most crossings. After months of discussions, that plan has been reduced to $5 million with a smaller footprint.
Under the revised plan, the new border crossing would be built on five acres of working farmland owned by Clement and Elizabeth Rainville. Just this week the Rainville family received notice from the Army Corps of Engineers that it will begin the condemnation process of the land in 60 days if the family does not agree to sell it. At a time when Franklin County farmers face the dual challenges of a down economy and crisis in the dairy industry, we find it wrong that the federal government would add yet another layer of hardship to a family farm.
While we appreciate that officials cut the size of the proposed project significantly after we wrote DHS Secretary Napolitano last fall, we strongly disagree with the current plan.%u201D
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100427/NEWS02/100426011/Morses-Line-land-dispute-simmers
http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=df0f1cde-0240-46f9-8ed5-d2ca5d6f9fb4
http://www.7dvt.com/2009crossing-line
Secretary Napolitano:
We the undersigned ask that your department please reconsider the use of eminent domain in taking 5 acres of the Rainville family farm at the Morses Line border crossing in Vermont. This is absolutely wrong and other means should fully be investigated.
Thank you for your consideration of our requests.
