Oppose H.R. 4772, the Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006
09/25/06

U.S. House
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Representative:

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the independent political voice for the environment.  Each year, LCV publishes the National Environmental Scorecard, which details the voting records of Members of Congress on environmental legislation.  The Scorecard is distributed to LCV members, concerned voters, and the press.

LCV urges you to oppose H.R. 4772, the so-called Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006.  H.R. 4772 would weaken local land use and environmental laws by making it easier for developers to sue state and local governments over these critically important protections.  By encouraging developers to file costly “takings” litigation against local officials in federal court, this harmful bill would make it far more difficult for communities to protect open space and reduce pollution.  H.R. 4772 would also reduce public participation in local land use decisions by enabling developers, factory farms, and others to bypass local land use procedures.  While proponents of H.R. 4772 will undoubtedly invoke the Kelo decision, this bill in no way limits, alters, or affects the use of eminent domain for economic development.

H.R. 4772 would seriously undermine protections for the environment, public health, and community values.  We urge you to vote NO on the Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 2006.  LCV has scored votes on “takings” legislation in the past, and the Political Advisory Committee will strongly consider this vote in compiling LCV’s 2006 Scorecard.  If you need more information, please call Tiernan Sittenfeld or Nat Mund in my office at (202) 785-8683. 

Sincerely,

Gene Karpinski
President, LCV