Public Comment. Volume III - Montana Legislature

We also need to help landowners account for the fact that rarely does a one-lump-sum
payment cover the long-term cost of dealing with the railroad, pipeline, or powerline that
crosses your property. Another change that would help solve the problem of unforeseen
fbture damages is letting the landowner have, at his option, an annual payment indexed at
the rate of inflation, rather than a lump-sum payment (editors note: right now there is a
provision for an annual payment but it is not indexed at the rate of inflation).
We generally agree that the eminent domain statute is hard to read and
understand, and would support Rep. McGee's bill to modernize the language of it. We
would also like to see all of the references to eminent domain in one section of the code,
Title 70, chapter 30, rather than scattered throughout the code.
Again, we appreciate your consideration of our comments and hope you will act
swiftly to reform eminent domain. Your choice in the coming weeks is clear - side with
private property rights and Montana's number one industry, agriculture,, or side with big
companies and big government.
March 23,2000
EQC Eminent Domain Study -141 -