Property Rights Battle in North Carolina

North Carolina FreedomWorks/CSE strongly opposes the United States Navy’s proposed outlying landing field (OLF) as an egregious property rights infringement.

More than two years ago, North Carolina FreedomWorks/CSE joined with the citizens of Beaufort and Washington counties and numerous organizations in opposition of the Navy’s proposed outlying landing field (OLF). Under the current plan, the Navy will acquire 32,000 acres of prime farmland owned by families whom have farmed their fields for generations. Many citizens, the majority of whom are seniors, will lose their generational homes.

The loss of 32,000 acres from the local tax roles will result in a substantial tax increase for the local people. Lower land values, loss of jobs, loss of tourism, loss of future development, and environmental impacts are among the additional concerns. If constructed, the proposed OLF will be in the flight path of the huge waterfowl populations that inhabit the Poquoson Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Experts have stated that the resulting effect could be devastating to both pilot and bird not to mention the $80 million plus aircraft.

Using the federal condemnation law, the Navy filed to condemn property from a willing seller. Several of the landowners have reported being threatened by the Navy with condemnation if they would not accept the per acre price the Navy wanted to pay them. So seems the actual condemnation. The property condemned belonged to Harry McMullan III, a willing seller. An attorney for the property owner claims that the property is worth more than twice the amount the Navy plans to pay using condemnation.

North Carolina FreedomWorks/CSE contends that for the United States Navy to invoke condemnation on a willing seller is abuse of power and abuse of the very condemnation law itself. Could there be a more disturbing infringement of the property rights of tax-paying citizens?

Please join us in our determination to protect the property rights of the citizens of North Carolina and our great country. Please join us in opposition of the currently proposed location of the United States Navy’s Outlying Landing Field in Beaufort and Washington counties (Site C).