WHO WE ARE GET INVOLVED CANDIDATE SURVEYS ON THE ISSUES ABOUT AUDIT THE FED

EPA v. Property Rights in Idaho

 A very disturbing story reported by Mark Hyman that should bother anyone who cares about property rights.

10/06/11 Government Intrusion
The battle of one Idaho family represents just how out-of-control government has gotten.  And activist judges who ignore the Constitution make matters worse.

Chantell & Michael Sackett bought less than an acre for $23,000 near Priest Lake, Idaho to build a home. They received all necessary permits and began construction.

EPA officials showed up one day and ordered construction to halt.  And to restore the land to its original condition.  Claiming the property was a wetlands area. It isn't. It's not even on the EPA's own list of wetlands.

That the Sackett's lot is amongst existing homes in a subdivision that already has water and sewer hook-ups was meaningless to the EPA.  But the EPA refused to reconsider its decision.  And the agency fined the Sacketts.  $37,500.  A day.

The Sacketts currently owe more than $40 million in fines.The Sacketts filed a lawsuit.  A federal judge ruled that the couple has no right to challenge the EPA decision and fines.  This is a clear violation of the Fifth Amendment which guarantees "due process of law."

The Sacketts appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  The Ninth Circuit ruled EPA actions are immune from judicial review.

Full blog


Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF