Legislative panel approved rules for railroad eminent domain

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) A South Dakota legislative panel has given its approval new rules that likely will be used to determine whether the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad can use eminent domain to acquire land for its expansion project.

The Legislature's Rules Review Committee approved rules passed last week by the state Transportation Commission.

The commission has been asked to grant the DM&E the right of eminent domain to acquire land in western South Dakota so it can extend its east-west line into Wyoming's coal fields.

The Transportation Commission had planned to hold a hearing on the railroad's application on July 10th. But a judge halted the hearing and said the commission first had to pass new rules for handling such applications.

(By AP Writer Chet Brokaw) (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-21-07 1549CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list