George v. United States of America
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether the United States of America must respect the property rights of owners of property as to which the United States possesses an easement? Plaintiff: Anne George…
Private Property
Minard Run Oil Company v. United States Forest Service
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether federal land management agencies may change their longstanding policies by executing “sweetheart” settlement agreements with environmental groups? Plaintiff: Minard Run Oil Company; Pennsylvania Independent Oil and…
Brandt v. United States of America
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether the federal government may seize private property without paying just compensation? Plaintiff: Marvin M. Brandt; Marvin M. Brandt Revocable Trust Defendant: United States of America Case…
Marston v. U.S. Forest Service
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether the federal government may seize property and/or take governmental action that significantly damages property or impairs its use? Plaintiff: Arron Marston and Judy Marston Defendant: United…
Colorado v. McCracken
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether an easement, held in trust by a state agency, that allows public access to private land for small game hunting, precludes the landowners from building a…
Lochness Properties, Inc. v. City of Sheridan, Colorado
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether the condemnation of private property to be conveyed to a private developer in order to generate increased tax revenues constitutes “public use” under the Colorado Constitution?…
United States v. Rapanos
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether the Clean Water Act authorizes federal jurisdiction over isolated wetlands, on privately owned land, that do not abut a body of open water but lie approximately…
Mann v. United States
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether the BLM may cancel a valid geothermal lease for failure of the lessee to respond to a notice, which was sent by the BLM to the…
Thrall v. Veneman
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether the Michigan Wilderness Act, which protects owners of private property near federal wilderness areas, prevents the U.S. Forest Service from denying owners the ability to use…
Glosemeyer v. United States
Historical Case
Case Summary Issue: Whether just compensation must be paid to property owners when a former railroad easement is converted to a recreational trail under the National Trails System Act, 16…