The CHSRA is currently using "eminent domain" to acquire the right of way, just like the freeways.

The State is in the often long drawn out process of acquiring right of way, through offer to purchase, at fair market value, or through "friendly" or "not so" friendly "condemnation" in Superior Court, where a judge or jury will find, from the evidence of comparable valuation, the fair market value, and the property condemned and seized by the State. The State doesn't get to seize the ROW for free, so in doing what is required and being done already, it wouldn't change anything.

The State Audit has identified delays and failures in the timely purchase and/or condemnation of the necessary right of way (ROW) (due, once again to the awful CHSRA project planning) as the most likely reason the that State may not meet the deadlines for expenditure of the $3.3 billion in Federal portion. The entire amount of which, or at the very least, all unexpended funds, will then have to be repaid to the Federal Government, by the State. That $3.3 billion will come out of our State taxes, that will then be unavailable for things like LOSSAN, or our freeway repairs, or schools, or parks, or fish and game, or.....

Some of you will say, "well, the Feds will never require the State to repay the Feds for violating the terms and conditions of a Federal Grant", right? I've seen it, happen, just ask SCAG and RCTC about the 71/91 Planning Grant..... It got buried, and covered up with an earmark....

Condemnation of the Coastline....was also once considered.

When Anschutz made the offer to Richard Katz and Neil Peterson to sell the Coastline to State for only $400 million, back in '92, "friendly" condemnation, at a "stipulated" valuation was the means discussed, as this would have allowed SP a number of tax benefits, from this "discounted" sale.

Turning down Phil's amazing offer, and not buying the Coastline in "92 for a mere $400 million, is among the worst transportation decisions that I ever witnessed in my entire career.