Jeffrey Lance Hill, Sr. v. Suwannee River Water Management District
Antitrust Takings DueProcess
Whether the government violated the Takings Clause and Due Process Clause by leveraging a permitting monopoly to foreclose on private property
Petitioner's father purchased a farm in 1950 containing ~ 800 acres in Columbia County, Florida. From 1961 through 1967, Petitioner, Jeffrey Lance Hill, Sr. (Hill) and his father built several farm ponds on the property with the assistance of the United States Soil and Water Conservation Service. In March, 2006, Suwannee River Water Management District (District) demanded Hill obtain a permit from the District to replace a rusted culvert pipe. The culvert pipe was originally installed in 1966. Along with their demand, the District states the permit would cost Hill two to three hundred thousand dollars. District filed a complaint in state court to force Hill to obtain a permit. The state court fined Hill $100,000.00 and ordered Hill pay $280,376.20 for District’s attorneys. Later, District filed to foreclose this debt in state court and District obtained a deed to more than 80 acres of Hill’s farm. Hill has sought relief in both state and federal courts without success. The questions presented are: 1. Whether the government overextended and leveraged their permitting monopoly to take private property in violation the Takings Clause: and 2. Whether the government violated the Eighth Amendment when imposing the $100,000.00 fine; and 3. Whether the government had legal and prudential standing to demand permit be obtained, seek an injunction and foreclose on subsequent money judgments; and 4. Whether the government violated the Due Process Clause by rendering Summary Judgment. Petitioner Jeffrey Lance Hull, Sv., was the Plaintiff and Appellant below. Respondent Suwannee River Water Management District was the Defendant and Appellee below.