Opinion ID: 788056
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Fifth Amendment Takings Clause

Text: 25 Knott alleges that mandatory FERC jurisdiction will deprive him of all economically viable use of his deeded right to divert water from the Blackstone River as he shall see fit. We lack jurisdiction to hear Knott's taking claim because the Tucker Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1491(a)(1), and Little Tucker Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(a)(2), vest exclusive jurisdiction in the Court of Federal Claims (the district courts have concurrent jurisdiction over claims for $10,000 or less) to render judgment upon any claim against the United States for money damages that is founded upon the Constitution, or any Act of Congress or any regulation of an executive department. 28 U.S.C. § 1491(a)(1). Although Knott's petition for review does not specifically seek monetary compensation, the Supreme Court has stated that taking claims against the Federal Government are premature until the property owner has availed itself of the process provided by the Tucker Act. Preseault v. ICC, 494 U.S. 1, 11, 110 S.Ct. 914, 108 L.Ed.2d 1 (1990). See also Ruckelshaus v. Monsanto Co., 467 U.S. 986, 1016, 104 S.Ct. 2862, 81 L.Ed.2d 815 (1984) (Equitable relief is not available to enjoin an alleged taking of private property for public use, duly authorized by law, when a suit for compensation can be brought against the sovereign subsequent to the taking.). 26 Accordingly, a claim for just compensation under the Takings Clause must be brought to the Court of Federal Claims in the first instance, unless Congress has withdrawn the Tucker Act grant of jurisdiction in the relevant statute. E. Enters. v. Apfel, 524 U.S. 498, 520, 118 S.Ct. 2131, 141 L.Ed.2d 451 (1998). The courts have rejected an argument that the FPA represents such a withdrawal of jurisdiction. See Wis. Valley Improvement Co. v. FERC, 236 F.3d 738, 743 (D.C.Cir.2001) (holding that while petitioner seeking review of FERC orders imposing conditions on its license may be able to advance a colorable Takings-Clause claim, it is not within our jurisdiction to adjudicate it). Knott may thus file a takings action in the Court of Federal Claims, but may not pursue it on a petition for review brought under 16 U.S.C. § 825 l.