Caroline County battle over farmland for water facility continues in the courts
- Rolynn Wilson
- Sep 13, 2024
- 1 min read
Updated: Sep 20, 2024
CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Caroline County leaders are continuing their effort to condemn a portion of a local couple’s farmland by filing a certificate of take.
8News first spoke with Cory and Rebekah Garrett in July on their over-100-acre farm in the Tidewater Trail area. The two shared how the land they loved had been passed down for generations. However, they expressed fear over what would be next for the property.
Eleven acres of their land is the potential site for a water intake facility, part of a more than $200-million project aiming to fix what the county has identified as a limited groundwater supply issue.
The Garretts previously turned down a $78,400 offer from the county for several reasons, including their belief that the project would negatively impact the farmland they’ve created.
MORE: Caroline County claims eminent domain over local couple’s farmland
In June, the county unanimously decided to seize the property through eminent domain. However, 8News learned the division of the land was not possible due to a conservation easement aimed at helping preserve the rural and scenic viewshed.