HANCOCK COUNTY, Georgia — The fight to protect private land in Hancock County continues.
Thursday, the Georgia Public Service Commission held a final review, and time for house keeping, before next steps are taken for a proposed railroad project.
The Sandersville Railroad Company is planning their 4.5 mile long Hanson Spur Railroad Project, that would trail through the back of several Sparta homes.
In April, a public hearing officer said using eminent domain to take the private property for their project served a legitimate public purpose, and should be allowed.
"This condemnation simply isn't consistent with the law and it's not consistent with constitutional protections," Senior Attorney with the Institute of Justice Bill Maurer said.
Maurer represents the families of Hancock County. They don't want to see generations of land ruined by a rail line leading to a rock quarry.
"This will primarily benefit a quarry that's owned by a multi-national corporation based in Heidelberg, Germany," he said.
Maurer says it will make shipping cheaper for the company, but unfairly burden the land owners.
"The property is enormously important to them, not just as a property that they own, but also a heritage they have. It shouldn't be taken away so that a private railroad company in a small network of private companies can save on shipping," he said.
Heritage means property that is inherited. Maurer says they are working hard to protect the heirs.
"We're hopeful that in this battle we'll immerge victorious but if we don't. We'll keep fighting. It's wrong as a matter of policy. Its wrong as matter of constitutional law and it's wrong as a matter of right and wrong," Maurer said.
There is another meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 4. Leaders will give a yes or no to whether the company can use eminent domain at the recommendation of the public hearing officer.
If either side doesn't like the decision they can appeal to the Fulton County Superior Court.
Maurer says they are prepared to take it to the state supreme court if that's what it takes.