Judge Rules Flood Controls Penalized Property Owners

摘要

A federal judge ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers management of the Missouri River in four states over recent years caused flooding that deprived landowners and farmers of their property, opening the door to millions of dollars of possible damage awards. Filed in 2014 on behalf of 372 plaintiffs, the complaint claimed that the Corps violated the Constitution's takings clause, which prohibits the government from appropriating private property without compensation.Known formally as Ideker Farms Inc. et al. v. The United States, the decision makes the Corps and federalgovernment liable for damages.The Corps has been managing the 2,341-mile-long Missouri River and its floodplain since Congress passed flood control laws adopted in 1917 and 1927.The trial began in Kansas City, Mo., last year but was concluded in Washington, D.C., in November after 55 presentations by 95 witnesses. Another phase will determine financial damages.