White’s Ferry

[Anonymous]

Judges awarded Rockland 100k in damages. I think it's disgusting and I think Rockland is just trying for more money.

Wouldn't, under common law, the ferry have some claim to this land? They've been using it for 230 years. I thought that if you allow someone to continue using your land, they can claim it's theirs.

[Anonymous]

How is this not a historical easement? It's been in use for over two centuries.

[Anonymous]

Time for a bridge crossing for 28!!!

[Anonymous]

Also, Rockland Farm better be careful. They may just get a 6-lane commuter bridge to replace the quaint ferry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How is this not a historical easement? It's been in use for over two centuries.

Not when it's between two private companies.

[Anonymous]

My whole facebook feed is blowing up over this. People are really outraged. Seems like they have pitchforks out for Rockland Farm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My whole facebook feed is blowing up over this. People are really outraged. Seems like they have pitchforks out for Rockland Farm.

The public is generally ill-informed idiots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this not a historical easement? It's been in use for over two centuries.

Not when it's between two private companies.

I'm from a different state originally where shoreline can't be privately owned. Does Rockland really own all the way to the water? There's no public easement? I live on the potomac too and thought that there was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, Rockland Farm better be careful. They may just get a 6-lane commuter bridge to replace the quaint ferry.

can they claim eminent domain for the land?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this not a historical easement? It's been in use for over two centuries.

Not when it's between two private companies.

But the road leading to the river and ferry ramp on the Virginia side...is a paved public road.

The whole thing is really weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this not a historical easement? It's been in use for over two centuries.

Not when it's between two private companies.

But the road leading to the river and ferry ramp on the Virginia side...is a paved public road.

The whole thing is really weird.

No I think they said it's a private paved road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, Rockland Farm better be careful. They may just get a 6-lane commuter bridge to replace the quaint ferry.

can they claim eminent domain for the land?

Yes of course. Virginia has no trouble and would rubber stamp a bridge tomorrow if Maryland agreed. It's Maryland that won't let a bridge be built.

[Anonymous]

From the article:

Stephen E. Sincavage of the Loudoun County Circuit Court awarded damages to the Virginia property owners in excess of $100,000, agreed that White’s Ferry had been trespassing since the end of a licensing agreement in 2004 and through an injunction, prevented White’s Ferry from continuing to use the land. The decision was written in late November.

The licensing agreement has been in place. Once it ended, it was open for renegotiation or termination. Pretty simple

[Anonymous]

Here is the full opinion:

https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/107CL00056672-01PO-195_whitesferry.pdf

Enjoy legal nerds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, Rockland Farm better be careful. They may just get a 6-lane commuter bridge to replace the quaint ferry.

can they claim eminent domain for the land?

The state of Virginia or the municipality can claim eminent domain. The ferry company cannot.

If you look on Google Maps, you'll see that the last 150' of the public road that dumps out of the ferry ramp seems to cross a property line. So the road itself does not seem to be property of Virginia.

If I had to guess, the owner of the land is trying to spur Virginia to take action and buy the land.

Still, I would think that use for two centuries by the ferry company would create an adverse possession claim.