On May 31, the Iowa Supreme Court decided Texas-based company, Dakota Access, lawfully used the state’s power of eminent domain to seize land from Iowa citizens for the Bakken oil pipeline.

The decision follows the September 2018 oral arguments when 14 Iowa landowners asked the court to revoke Dakota Access’ use of eminent domain and order the company to remove the pipeline from the landowners’ properties. As a result of this Iowa Supreme Court decision, oil will continue to flow through the pipeline across Iowa.

“We are disappointed for our clients, but also for all Iowa landowners,” said Davis Brown attorney, Bill Hanigan, “This sets a precedent for wealthy developers seizing Iowa farmland for private ventures that bring no measurable benefit to Iowans.”

Appellant Northwest Iowa Landowners Association and its related organization Private Property Rights Coalition are particularly concerned with how today’s majority decision opens the door for more developer driven condemnations.

“We are devastated,” said Iowa landowner Dick Lamb, “how can a Texas company be allowed to seize my family farmland for their profit?”