Lewis County Rail Trail
If you are a landowner in Lewis County, New York, and your property is next to the proposed Lewis County Rail Trail, then you may be entitled to compensation. This railway is part of a proposed multi-use trail system spanning 30 miles. The proposed trail is located in four corridors throughout the county. The first runs north from Lowville to Carthage; the second extends northeast from Lowville to Croghan; the third spans north-to-south through Lowville; and the fourth runs south from the county’s multi-use trail through Lyons Falls to the south side of McAlpine Street.
It is established law that the federal government must pay you for the portion of your land that is currently the railroad or once was the railroad and is now being converted into a trail. Since the railway was an easement granted to the railroad, you may still hold title to the land.
The Surface Transportation Board has yet to receive an abandonment request, as the trail is still in the planning stage, but once the abandonment of the rail is approved, then you may have a claim. The trail sponsor, Alta Planning + Design, would then own this abandoned railway, and we want to ensure that you, as a landowner, are justly compensated under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Our firm has extensive experience handling lawsuits asserting the property rights of landowners against the federal government in the United States Court of Federal Claims. These lawsuits are referred to as “Rails-to-Trails” cases.
At Flint Cooper, our dedicated team of attorneys take pride in making your claims process simple and stress free. There are no upfront fees and no out-of-pocket expenses. The time to file a claim is limited. If you would like to discuss your claim and understand your rights in more detail, please contact us toll-free at +1.618.205.2105, complete the Free Case Consultation form on this page, email us at railstotrails@flintcooper.com, or schedule a time with our team to meet with you at your home or property.
