BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — The Northwest Landowners Conference wrapped up Thursday in Bismarck.
Organizers say they wanted property owners to have some good information to take home.
“We see corporate America using the eminent domain, the quick cake, onto our property. So we wanted to put together a meeting with the best of the best from across the nation,” said Troy Coons, a Chairman with the Northwest Landowners Association.
The Northwest Landowners Association discussed landowners’ Fourth Amendment and Fifth Amendment rights.
The Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution states:
“Private property shall not be taken for the use of, or ownership by, any private individual or entity, unless that property is necessary for conducting a common carrier or utility business.”
Sure, wind, water, solar, oil, and CO2 can bring a lot of opportunities to our state. However, it can also raise concerns and problems with those who own the land where these projects are taking place.
“We are not looking to the Republican side or the Democratic side. We are united in the property rights fight and the citizen rights. So, it’s all of those fundamental rights of our country that we believe in,” said Coons.
The Fifth Amendment states in part: “Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
This is talking about eminent domain. Eminent domain is a common concern amongst landowners because of the Summit Carbon Pipeline. The CO2 pipeline was a big topic at the conference.