Rogers v. United States

OPINION AND ORDER

WILLIAMS, Judge.

In these consolidated “rails-to-trails” actions, Plaintiffs claim that the Government effected a taking of their properties when, pursuant to the National Trails System Act Amendments of 1983 (“Trails Act”), it converted a 12.43-mile railroad right-of-way, extending from Sarasota to Venice, Florida, into a recreational trail.1 This matter comes before the Court on the parties’ cross-motions for partial summary judgment on liability.

In two prior opinions, this Court resolved issues of liability with respect to a majority of the named Plaintiffs. At issue in…