Has Been Taken By Eminent Domain For Area 51

After owning the Groom Mine for 130 years, the Sheahan family is in danger of losing it to the federal government because of its proximity to Area 51.

The Feds asked at first. They offered the Sheahan family a little over $333,000 for the property, which their attorney said was "embarrassingly low", according to a report from Fox News.

So, the government filed a motion to take over the land under eminent domain. But the Sheahans are not giving up without a fight.

The mine's 400 acres are at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet above sea level, and offer a panoramic view of the Groom Mountain Range. But that's apparently a little too close to Area 51 for comfort for the government, where secret airplanes are tested and there has long been the rumors of UFOs being hidden from the public eye.

The DOD and the Air Force first approached the Sheahans about purchasing the property in 2014. The family had never had the property appraised before, but Joe Sheahan said that they had rejected offers of $2.4 million, $5.2 million, and $1.5 million from the USAF. The property was confiscated on September 16, 2015.

Following the seizure, the family has had three independent appraisals of the property, which includes mineral rights, that range from $44 million to $116 million.

The Air Force did nuclear weapons testing near the Groom Mine in the 40s and 50s, according to the report. Sheahan claims that family members, mine workers, and livestock were all adversely affected by the nuclear blasts and long-term radiation.

The current status is that there are appraisals of the property being done by both sides. Sheahan says that if they are unable to reach a reasonable agreement, he's willing to have the case decided by a jury.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil