Saluda Grade Rail Trail - Case Details
HISTORY OF THE SALUDA GRADE RAIL TRAIL
A coalition of three nonprofit groups are spearheading the Saluda Grade Trail plans: Conserving Carolina, PAL: Paly, Advocate, Live Well, and Upstate Forever. These plans include purchasing the Saluda Grade railroad corridor and converting it into a 31-mile rail trail. The trail would begin in Inman, South Carolina (north of Spartanburg) and continue through Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, and Saluda before entering North Carolina and reaching Zirconia (south of Hendersonville). This trail would span 16 miles in South Carolina and 15 miles in North Carolina.
Conserving Carolina reports that The Saluda Grade Trail would be created through the federal railbanking program. The Surface Transportation Board ("STB") is a federal agency that oversees railroads. When railroads under federal jurisdiction express interest to abandon their lines, a trails group may step in to make an offer to purchase the land and convert the railroad corridor to a rail-trail. The process of converting inactive railroad corridors to recreational trails and keeping the corridor intact for future rail use is called “railbanking”.
WHAT IS THE UNITED STATES TRAILS ACT?
The Trails Act is a federal program that permits the conversion of railroad lines into nature and hiking trails. In this instance, the trail would comprise the current Saluda Grade rail corridor.
If the STB permits a trail conversion, which we expect to occur in the near term, then this would potentially result in the triggering of a claim for money damages in your favor against the United States government. The claim results from the blocking of reversionary property rights in the railroad corridor. This taking would require the United States to pay you just compensation under the Constitution. It is important to note that your claim would only be against the federal government and is NOT adverse to the Saluda Grade Trail or an local entity sponsoring the trail.
The claim would be based on North Carolina and South Carolina property law. An owner of land that abuts a public right of way (in this case a former railroad corridor) is presumed to own a portion of the land within the right of way, such that when the railroad was ever abandoned the land would revert to their ownership. This is what should occur with respect to the land that is slated to become the future rail trail. However, as a result of the Trails Act, the federal government can authorize the inactive railroad to be converted to a recreational trail, thereby blocking a landowners right to regain the property within the railroad corridor, which would result in a taking of land.
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SALUDA GRADE RAIL TRAIL BLOG & NEWS
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March 17, 2023
A coalition of three nonprofits (Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well; and Upstate Forever) that is spearheading the Saluda Grade Trail has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to sell the 31-mile rail line for use as a recreational rail trail.Conserving Carolina made the announcement in a news release on March 16. The three nonprofits are leading efforts to repurpose the inactive rail line as a trail that will run from Upstate South Carolina into the mountains of Western North Carolina, the release said.
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March 16, 2023
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – The Saluda Grade Trail is one step closer to reality following an agreement on the purchase of an inactive rail line.A coalition of nonprofits, Conserving Carolina, PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well, and Upstate Forever, announced that they have signed an agreement with Norfolk Southern on the terms of their future purchase of the line. The group announced plans last summer for a 31-mile trail from Zirconia, North Carolina to Inman, South Carolina.
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March 16, 2023
FOOTHILLS–A coalition of nonprofits with plans to develop a 31-mile rail line into the Saluda Grade Trail has reached an agreement with Norfolk Southern to sell the portion of the railroad. The coalition has a signed agreement with the Norfolk Southern establishing the price and other terms of the future purchase. This coalition, consisting of Conserving Carolina, PAL (Play, Advocate, Live Well) and Upstate Forever, plans to repurpose the inactive rail line as a trail that will run through Tryon, Saluda and Landrum. The Saluda Grade Trail will begin at Inman and end in Zirconia, N.C.
Did you receive our mailer, or have any questions for us? We’re here to help you take the next step for just compensation.
Notable Success Examples
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In Haggart v. United States, our attorneys recovered $177,400,000 on behalf of 254 landowners in King County, Washington, along a 25.45-mile trail.
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In Raulerson v. United States, our attorneys recovered $33,300,000 on behalf of 264 landowners in Beaufort County, South Carolina, along a 25.05-mile trail.
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In Smith v. United States, our attorneys recovered $26,477,000 on behalf of 29 landowners in King County, Washington, along a 25.45-mile trail.
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In Ansley Walk v. United States, our attorneys recovered $18,416,000 on behalf of 5 landowners in Fulton County, Georgia, along a 1-mile trail.
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In Furlong v. United States, our attorneys recovered $14,200,000 on behalf of 272 landowners in Albany, New York, along a 10.94-mile trail.
