Can private land be condemned on the Wild & Scenic Rivers in the San Gabriel Mountains?
No, because all of the eligible segments are already more than 90% under public ownership. The National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act prohibits fee title condemnation of any private lands along protected rivers if 50% or more of the river segment in question is already under public ownership. As a practical matter, condemnation is used by agencies only as a last resort. No private land has been condemned on any wild and scenic river in California.
