In this special episode, Taralyn Romero, known to some as the 'Wicked Witch of the West', joins Infrastructure Junkies to discuss her tumultuous journey through the maze of property rights after purchasing a home with a creek in Colorado. Taralyn shares her painful experiences being sued by the government and the community backlash she faced for protecting the property rights she rightfully purchased back in 2020. The conversation delves into the legal complexities, the role of social media...

This episode is all about the International Right of Way Association's Annual Educational Conference to be held in Virginia Beach from June 1-4, 2025.  Hear from Jane White, the City's Director of Destination Services, who gives great insight into why Virginia Beach will be an exciting and fun location for the 2025 conference.  Dave and Kristen are then joined by the conference co-chairs, Carrilin Hirsch and Greg Smith, who give great insight into what to expect from this particular event. ...

In this episode of Infrastructure Junkies, hosts Dave Arnold and Kristen Short discuss the recent changes to the Uniform Relocation Act, focusing on the Final Rule that was implemented after a decade of waiting. They are joined by relocation expert Lisa Harrison of Pinnacle Consulting Management Group, Inc., who provides insights into the distinctions between the federal statute and regulations in the CFR, the implications of the Final Rule, and the new monetary limits for relocation...

How do you get to know the newest leader of the premier right of way trade association?  An interview with Infrastructure Junkies, of course! In this episode, Dave and Kristen interview Denise Skinner, the incoming International Right of Way Association (IRWA) president. They discuss Denise's motivation for assuming such a significant leadership role within the IRWA and her experience on the International Executive Committee (IEC). Denise shares her perspective on the challenges and rewards...

In this episode of Infrastructure Junkies, your hosts are joined by guests Matt Harris and Ray Mehler to discuss various topics related to right-of-way professionals and pop culture. The first theme discussed is relocation, with the hosts and guests sharing their experiences and insights on becoming relocation experts. The second theme revolves around the final rule, which provides benefits for displaced individuals in federal and federally funded projects. The hosts and guests discuss the...

The best way to understand why we have our standard eminent domain laws and procedures may be to learn through a good story. Houston attorney Bobby Debelak of the law firm McDowell Hetherington joins Infrastructure Junkies to tell the story of Robert Moses, who amassed incredible power despite never being elected to a public office. Morris utilized eminent domain to accomplish some of the most amazing infrastructure projects in New York.  During his amazing reign, virtually all of the City,...

A right of way professional cannot overlook the importance of a good title search.  Keri Dupey from HDR, Inc. joins Infrastructure Junkies to explain and review the significance of title searches, title reports and title examinations of property subject to condemnation or eminent domain. This episode was generously sponsored by Pendulum Land Services, LLC, a DBE and SWaM certified right of way company headquartered in the mid-Atlantic area.

The popular Eminent Domain Podcast signed off after a successful six year run.  The Eminent Domain Podcast's host, Texas attorney Clint Schumacher, joins the Infrastructure Junkies to reflect upon his show, his experiences, and all that he learned from being the pioneer podcast for the eminent domain industry.  Listen in while Clint is on the business end of a rough cross examination!   This episode of Infrastructure Junkies was graciously sponsored by Blackbird Right of Way, LLC, providing...

Christina Thoreson, Anthony Alderman and Ross Greene return to Infrastructure Junkies for more!  Will eminent domain and right of way appraisers be replaced by artificial intelligence ( "AI" )?  Can AI supplement or improve appraisal methodology?  Wouldn't the use of AI remove inherent human bias in testimony?  The group also discusses the sales comparison approach in appraisal and how it too can be manipulated, manipulation of highest and best use, appraisal of convenience stores and gas...

Infrastructure Junkies invited two of their favorite real estate appraisers, Christina Thoreson and Anthony Alderman, to discuss a variety of hot appraisal topics encountered in right of way acquisitions and eminent domain cases.  Attorney Ross Greene (Mr. "chicken sacrificing voodoo" himself) infuses the conversation with more than his fair share of cynical color commentary.  Easements - types and effects on value.  Is there really such thing as permanent damage by a temporary easement? Why...

Shant Boyajian of Nossaman, LLP joins the Infrastructure Junkies to update listeners on the progress of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.  Has this funding caused the dramatic boom in the right of way industry as predicted?  What projects are being funded and how?  Have there been any surprises?  Is this just the beginning or is the money running out? And what's next for the right of way industry?  Listen in for answers to these questions and more about the largest influx of...

Eminent domain can seem oppressive and unfair.  The American system of compulsory acquisition features constitutional restrictions and obligations, as well as numerous duties imposed on condemning authorities and rights conferred upon impacted landowners.  Our right of way acquisition process has come a long way, yet imperfections persist.  Do we have the best system in the world? Is it fair enough? Are there loopholes that still need to be closed, and is there more that we should be doing to...

Renowned Author Howard Mansfield returns to Infrastructure Junkies to discuss two more chapters of his book, The Habit of Turning the World Upside Down.  In this Season 4 finale, Howard tackles "The Last Medieval Claim" by recounting some of the earliest battles for American soil which occurred in the courts across the ocean, and involved people who never set foot in North America. Then the conversation turns to "The Pipeline in the Neighborhood" where the human effects of a massive...

Dominion Energy Senior Counsel Karla Carter joins Infrastructure Junkies to discuss the complicated history of heirs property issues.  What exactly is "heirs property"? What are the effects--both intended and unintended--on certain segments of the American population?  What are our obligations to heirs property in the right of way context?   When condemning agencies encounter parcels of property which were inherited by its currents owners--often passing intestate and without the benefit of a...

Southeastern Virginia is comprised of seven cities, each of which is waterfront, and many of which are separated by large bodies of water.  The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel was constructed in the mid 1950's to connect Norfolk and Virginia Beach with Newport News and Hampton without obstructing marine traffic.  The Virginia Department of Transportation launched one of the largest infrastructure projects in North America to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel.  Chief Engineer Ryan Banas joins...

A controversial and sometimes shady right of way project may be single-handedly responsible for the City of Los Angeles as we know it, and all that it represents.  The Los Angeles Aqueduct, the brain child of William Mulholland and Fred Eaton, miraculously transformed a sleepy oil town into a world famous metropolis.  Armchair Engineer Adam Ratliff (TikTok: @armchairengineer) joins Infrastructure Junkies to explain the genesis of this project, all that it entails and how it was accomplished,...

Waterfront property lawyer Bryan Peeples joins the Infrastructure Junkies to discuss exclusive rights enjoyed by waterfront property owners -- better known as "riparian property rights".  Bryan explains that riparian rights are valuable real property rights which, in most cases, cannot be taken without just compensation.  Bryan defines each of the five riparian rights and explains how to exercise them. Bryan also explains some key differences between landlocked property and waterfront...

Incoming International Right of Way Association President Fred Easton joins the Infrastructure Junkies to discuss his vision for the upcoming term.  Fred brings his philosophies and grand plans to the discussion table, as well as his passion for education within the organization.  Listen in to get to know Fred Easton better, and don't miss the special celebrity guests!

In anticipation of our mid-season finale with incoming International Right of Way Association President Fred Easton, we are re-releasing an entertaining and controversial interview with Jake Farrell, who took the reigns of the IRWA at the San Antonio conference in 2021.

Renowned author Howard Mansfield returns to Infrastructure Junkies to discuss two more chapters of his fabulous book, The Habit of Turning the World Upside Down. Listeners met Howard in the kickoff episode of Season 4 when he brought us tales of attempts to drain the Great Dismal Swamp and the Ballad of Romaine Tenney.  This time Howard discusses "The Land of Many Uses"--our national forests.  From the mass destruction of old growth American timber throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to...

In this 5th installment of the Infrastructure Junkies Roundtable series, your hosts invite some young(er) right of way professionals to share what's on their mind in this popular format. You know the routine...everyone brings one topic in right of way, and one in pop culture and the group discusses.  Listen in to some outstanding insight about the winding road to the right of way industry, YouTube stardom via the Terrell Show and a young jazz starlet Samara Joy, the joys of the Uniform...

Infrastructure Junkies host TikTok sensation and co-influencer, the Armchair Engineer to lead them through an examination of what is perhaps America's greatest infrastructure marvel of all time, the Hoover Dam.  Listen in to learn about the taming of the wild and wonderous Colorado River and political jockeying for water allocation among the seven states which border that tributary. How was that dam conceived? How was such an incredible infrastructure achievement constructed? The perils of...

It's difficult to imagine that just a century ago, airplane contrails were never seen in the sky.  There was no airline industry to speak of.  In 1900, airplanes did not even exist.  Now we live in a world that relies on safe and reliable air travel. What was the genesis of our massive airline infrastructure?  Professor Greg Jackson from the "History That Doesn't Suck" podcast joins Infrastructure Junkies to tell the story of Wilbur and Orville Wright - brothers from Dayton Ohio who had the...

Environmental attorney Jim Lang joins the Infrastructure Junkies to educate us on wetlands and their effects on a right of way project, infrastructure development or property acquired by eminent domain.  How do you define wetlands, and what the heck are they?   How are wetlands identified?  Why are wetlands important?  How are wetlands regulated? And what penalties will I face if I ignore or disturb wetlands?  If an agency or project manager identifies wetlands within a project's footprint,...