Opinion ID: 65335
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Ripeness of Seizure Claim

Text: Unlike her takings claim, Severance's Fourth Amendment seizure claim, which is not governed by the Williamson County framework, is ripe. See Abbott Laboratories v. Gardner, 387 U.S. 136, 149-55, 87 S.Ct. 1507, 1515-18, 18 L.Ed.2d 681 (1967) (outlining as relevant factors (1) whether the issues are purely legal; (2) whether the issues are based on final agency action; (3) whether the controversy has a direct and immediate impact on the plaintiff; and (4) whether the litigation will expedite, rather than delay or impede, effective enforcement by the agency). The Officials do not contest that these factors all support finding Severance's seizure claim ripe. The issues are purely legal. The district court determined that Severance's claims turn on whether the rolling easement doctrine is an aspect of Texas common law or a creature of the OBA. Further factual development is unnecessary. Second, the Officials have adopted the final agency position that the landward movement of the vegetation line onto Severance's property burdens that property with a public access easement, without proof of the elements of common law prescription, dedication, or customary right on the new area and without any provision of just compensation. Third, the controversy has a direct and immediate impact on Severance. The Officials' enforcement of a public easement prevents her from lawfully excluding the public from her land, TEX. NAT. RES.CODE ANN. § 61.014(b), and subjects her to stiff financial penalties if she violates these restrictions, TEX. NAT. RES.CODE ANN. § 61.018(c). Fourth, resolving the issue now would facilitate OBA enforcement and eliminate uncertainty as to the constitutionality of the rolling easement doctrine for numerous Texas landowners. Accordingly, the district court erred in holding that this claim is merely arguably ripe.