United States v. 14,770.65 Acres of Land in County of Richland

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION

GORDON, Senior District Judge.

This condemnation proceeding concerns the acquisition of land by the United States under its power of eminent domain for the Congaree Swamp National Monument, a unit of the National Park System established by Congress in the Act of October 18, 1976, Pub.L. No. 94-545, 90 Stat. 2517. The tract now at issue, comprising some 14,770.65 acres of the total 15,138.25 acres acquired for the monument, is located in Richland County, South Carolina, and was formerly owned by defendant Congaree Limited Partnership (“Congaree” or “the landowners”), a…