Would the National Park Service invoke the power of eminent domain to forcibly acquire land for the purpose of creating a National Park unit?
No. NPS will acquire land only if authorized by Congress, and only from willing sellers. Any legislation authorizing NPS involvement in the Gaviota area can include language restricting NPS to acquisition from willing sellers only. NPS supports this type of restriction. While some people have suggested that the authorizing legislation could later be amended to change this restriction, there are few if any precedents. If land acquisition is authorized, NPS is required to pay full fair market value plus relocation costs.
