Bailey, Jr. v. United States

Rails-to-trails takings case; class action; settlement; fairness hearing

OPINION AND ORDER

LETTOW, Judge.

This rails-to-trails class action comes before the court upon the parties’ settlement of the class members’ claims and after notice to the class and a fairness hearing regarding the settlement. The class of plaintiffs consists of thirty-six claimants who allege that the federal government took their property without providing just compensation. Am. Compl. ¶¶ 3-17, ECF No. 13; Joint Status Report (Sept. 4, 2013) ¶ 2, ECF No. 15. The class members’ properties were subject to an easement for…