Posting For Support
Why is Land Posted?
Private lands are posted by members of the Pennsylvania Landowners’ Association as a silent, but highly visible protest against the unjust over-regulation of privately owned land. The Constitution guarantees that: “…no person shall…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.” Article V, U.S. Constitution.
Despite this unequivocal guarantee, agencies of the government are taking control of private property with neither due process nor compensation. Furthermore, the law provides for fines up to $25,000 per day and even jail for landowners who try to use their land for any purpose other than that prescribed by government.
In its effort to protect the environment, Congress has enacted several laws in recent years that fail to adequately protect the property rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Government agencies, heavily influenced by near fanatical environmental zeal, have promulgated rules that go far beyond the language of the law and fail to even recognize the property rights of the regulated landowners. These laws must be changed! These rules must be revised!
With the stroke of a pen, a government agency can declare private property to be a wetland, or habitat for an endangered or threatened species, or a historic site, or a possible roosting site for a passing migratory bird. When such a declaration is made, the owner can be prevented by law from doing anything with the land other than continuing to pay a mortgage and/or taxes on it.
With the stroke of a pen, a government agency can destroy the economic foundation of a farmer, or the investment backed expectations of a developer, or the dream of future security for those who have invested in land. The landowners often have no practical recourse.
Ironically, we support protection of valuable wetlands and all of our natural resources. With equal diligence, we support the protection of individual freedom and property rights. When any privately owned resource is of such value to society that government declares that the resource must be preserved, then society, through its government, should pay for that resource at a fair market value. Private landowners must not be forced to bear the burden of ownership and be deprived of the benefits of ownership of land that the government declares must be preserved for society. Current law and enforcement policies must be changed.
To change the law, we must get the attention of the lawmakers. We must tell them what the problems are and how they can be resolved, and we must do it in massive numbers.
“Posting for Support” is a responsible way to get the attention of lawmakers and of the public that remains unaware of the rapid erosion of property rights in America. You can demonstrate your support by donating to the Pennsylvania Landowners’ Association and by participating in our “Posting for Support” program.
“Posting For Support” Works!
EDUCATION - Enhances education at the grassroots level by enabling owners to talk “one-on-one” with recreational land users and inform them of unfair land use controls.
SOLIDARITY - Provides a mechanism by which landowners can display their unity and desire for legislative changes. Several states and/or organizations throughout the U.S. are currently participating in this important program.
GRASSROOTS VOICE - Enables property owners to display their concerns and objections regarding unfair policies which affect THEIR land use without having to demonstrate in Harrisburg or Washington. Your legislators are aware of this “silent, but highly visible protest” and it’s a reminder everyday of the year!
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT CONTROL - Encourages hunter access with landowner permission (hopefully to members), thereby enhancing wildlife management and hunter recreation. It also allows landowners to know who is on their property and whether individuals obtaining land access support PLA goals.
COURTESY ENHANCEMENT - Stresses the need for individuals to seek permission before entering private property and promotes “Common Courtesy” to the landowner.
ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT - Landowner participation in the program generates support for continuation of PLA’s non-profit work on land rights issues and representation of private property owners.
The posting for support program is designed for PLA Supporters to enforce their rights. If you have not yet had the opportunity to do so, please visit our donation page today to find out how you can contribute to PLA.
To contact us regarding the posting for support program and information about obtaining your complimentary signs, please call (814) 796-4023.
PLA’s “Posting for Support” Program
All across Pennsylvania, supporters of PLA are posting their land with these signs.
Two great purposes are served:
First, people know that your land is private and permission to enter must be requested.
Second, your signs call attention to the over-regulation of private property that makes posting necessary.
The preferred method of posting currently being used by PLA members involves requiring the person seeking entrance to your property to send letters to the current legislators representing your area. A sample of the letter is as follows and can be edited as you feel necessary:
Dear (Legislator):
As a concerned citizen, I am wondering what, if anything, you have done as my representative on the issues of private property rights, the due process of law and taking of private property without just compensation. Private property designated as wetlands, scenic rivers, open space, green space, endangered species and many other programs continue to violate the Fifth Amendment to our Constitution.
As you know, Pennsylvania Landowners Association has been working for just compensation since 1986 and I believe people should be compensated for private property taken through regulation by local, state or federal government. Robert Brace, a Waterford, Pennsylvania, resident and farmer, has had an on-going lawsuit with the federal government for the last twenty-two years and received a final ruling stating that losing up to 85-90% of the value of your property is not considered a “taking”. Many other landowners have experienced the same results. This is unacceptable!
As a concerned citizen, I would like your response on these issues as my representative. I would appreciate hearing from you on this issue.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)