From a fisherman's standpoint, I couldn't care less how long the compensation case is or isn't in court. Eminent domain allows the state to seize and use the property right away. Paying Todd is separate from possessing the land and water.

4 or 5 years in court will give the lake a needed rest.

THAT'S what the "about to get interesting part" would be. Sell million dollar waterfront homes then pump away all the water. We could make brackets and bet on the outcome of all the lawsuits. There's not enough popcorn emojis for that thread.

Where do you find this out?

I read where there will be three uninterested people from Freestone Co selected for a committee to find a fair price for the property. If either party does not agree with what the committee comes up with they can have the issue resolved by going to a civil court.
During this the sides can end it with a deal.

How do you believe the state can just take something now without compensating the owner? Or better yet, why the hate towards free enterprise?

Texas is a quick take state when it comes to eminent domain. That means the state can condemn and possess before compensation is settled.

My thoughts on capitalism and free enterprise have nothing to do with this. In this discussion I'm dealing with facts and the law, not feelings.

How can there be three uninterested people in Freestone County?

The process seems to be biased towards the state normally. Here, I'm not so sure that applies.
If the county residents feel like their commissioners and want Todd to keep the property they can come up with a high number. You know, add the water and property rights up and come up with 350-400 million.

Who knows? Not me but I'm hoping either state representatives step in or the parks goes back to Todd on their own and negotiates a price they can both live with.

SHHHHH!


Back slowly away from the keyboard

You are 100% correct. Texas is a quick take state when it comes to E.D. Thanks for clarifying this.

How could water rights add any value based on selling the raw water. One must ask to whom and how. It is true they could just release it into the Trinity to go to Livingston. Tarrant just spent 3.2 Billion to tie 3 lakes with 100,000 acres more surface acres who would they spend millions and millions to tie Fairfield (2000 acres)into that system. Todd would have to spend more than the value of the water to build a pipe to where. This is like a cowboy movie where the rich cattle rancher steals water from the poor sodbusters or a plot from Yellowstone. An acre foot of raw water just doesn’t support the numbers talked about. Cedar Creek is getting one of those water reclamation projects like they have at RC and it is said to cost 10 million. I won’t bore you with the numbers but the info is on TCWD website.

I looked it up the wetlands project pumps 95 million gallon a day into RC.

CONDEMNATION BASICS IN TEXAS
In Texas, the condemnation process is a two-phase litigation process. The first phase includes the Special Commissioners’ Hearing. Three commissioners are appointed by the court to hear evidence and arguments from the parties. The commissioners determine the amount which should compensate the landowner. The only issue considered by the commissioners is the amount of compensation
After the special commissioners’ required deposit amount is filed, either party may object if either is dissatisfied with the outcome (with a crucial deadline to object). The condemning authority must deposit the amount in order to take possession of the property being condemned during the pendency of the litigation. If no objection to the Award is filed, the court may enter a final judgment consistent with the commissioners’ recommended compensation amount.
The second phase in the Texas condemnation process is the litigation phase. If a case does not settle, then the case goes to trial, often before a jury. The commissioners’ recommendation does not affect this stage. Appeals can follow this trial.

many other places to sell water to other than municipalities that don't require a huge investment

Still ends with the state owning the property. Has nothing to do with free enterprise.
It’s the law that counts and it fits the criteria for eminent domain. Not to mention I highly doubt this development was gonna be a savior for freestone county. The county is where it’s at because they have no industry or very little .
Building a development ain’t gonna change that. But hey all you key board capitalists can go to Fairfield and build a strip center and put in some small retail shops I’m sure the natives would love it.
J. D

They would but they can’t get there because they would have to travel on an Interstate that involved eminent domain.
I have no idea where they get their electricity or water.

Where would they sell it? Would they sell it in 500 gallon trucks? Corsicana has Bardwell and rights to RC water. The whole discussion is ridiculous on its face.