ORDER

CLAY D. LAND Chief District Judge.

Presently pending before the Court is Plaintiff Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC's summary judgment motion on the issue of just compensation in this condemnation action. As discussed below, the Court grants Sabal Trail's motion (ECF No. 40) and finds that $2,700.00 is just compensation for the easements.

I. Background

Plaintiff Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC received authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to build an interstate natural gas pipeline. Sabal Trail brought this condemnation action under the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 717-717z, seeking permanent and temporary easements over one tract of land in Mitchell County, Georgia. According to Sabal Trail, the property was part of the Estate of Elijah Moore, and Sabal Trail named as Defendants in this action the Estate and individuals "known to have or claim an interest in the Property from which easements and associated rights are sought to be condemned." Compl. ¶ 5, ECF No. 1. Sabal Trail also named as a Defendant the United States of America because the Internal Revenue Service recorded a tax lien on the property for the liability of Defendant Elijah Wheeler. Id. Each Defendant was served personally with notice of this action in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 71.1(d)(3)(A) or by publication in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 71.1(d)(3)(B).

On June 10, 2016, the Court concluded that Sabal Trail was entitled to possession of the easements it sought once it posted a security bond. Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC v. Estate, No. 4:16-CV-108, 2016 WL 3248367, at *7, *15 (M.D. Ga. June 10, 2016), amended, No. 4:16-CV-108, 2016 WL 3251577 (M.D. Ga. June 10, 2016). Sabal Trail posted the security bond on July 1, 2016. Pl.'s Notice of Posting Security Bonds, July 1, 2016, ECF No. 30. The only remaining issue is just compensation.

II. Discussion

Just compensation means "the fair market value of the property on the date of the taking." United States ex rel. TVA v. 1.72 Acres of Land in Tenn., 821 F.3d 742, 756 (6th Cir. 2016) (citing United States v. Miller, 317 U.S. 369, 373-74 (1943)). In a partial takings case like this one, just compensation "is the difference in fair market value of the whole tract before and after the taking." Id. (quoting United States ex rel. TVA v. Easements and Rights-of-Way over 6 Acres of Land, 117 F. App'x 422, 423 (6th Cir. 2004)); accord United States v. 33.92356 Acres Of Land, 585 F.3d 1, 9 (1st Cir. 2009) (collecting cases); United States v. 68.94 Acres of Land, More or Less, Situate in Kent Cty., State of Del., 918 F.2d 389, 393 (3d Cir. 1990). Generally, "market or comparable sales data . . . is the best evidence of market value." 1.72 Acres of Land in Tenn., 821 F.3d at 757.

Sabal Trail argues that just compensation for the easements in this case is $2,700.00. Pl.'s Mot. for Summ. J. 2, ECF No. 40-1. Summary judgment may be granted only "if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). In this condemnation case, Defendants have the "burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, what amount constitutes just compensation." 1.72 Acres of Land in Tennessee, 821 F.3d at 756. Defendants were entitled to "present evidence on the amount of compensation to be paid." Fed. R. Civ. P. 71.1(e)(3). None of the Defendants responded to Sabal Trail's summary judgment motion or presented any evidence on what amount constitutes just compensation for the easements.

Sabal Trail did present evidence on the issue of just compensation: the expert report of Zac Ryan, a certified real property appraiser. Ryan Report, ECF No. 42 at 6-103. Ryan conducted an appraisal of the property and concluded that the "before" value of the parcel as of July 1, 2016 was $425,000 and the "after" value, taking into account the temporary and permanent easements, was $422,300. Id. at 8. Therefore, according to Ryan, just compensation for the easements in this case is $2,700.00. Id. Again, Defendants did not present any evidence on the issue of just compensation. Based on the evidence before it, the Court concludes that $2,700 is just compensation for the easements in this case.

III. Payment of Compensation by Sabal Trail and Claimant's Application for Obtaining Disbursement

Within twenty-eight days of the date of this Order, Sabal Trail shall pay into the registry of the Court $2,700 plus prejudgment interest from the date of the taking (July 1, 2016), which shall be calculated at a legal rate of interest of seven percent per annum simple interest. Once this amount is paid into the registry of the Court, the security bond previously posted by Sabal Trail shall be released.

Defendants may apply to the Court for distribution of the award in accordance with their respective ownership interests. Defendants may apply for a distribution of the award by sending an application to the Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 124, Columbus GA 31902. The Clerk shall docket each application electronically. The application should include:

Applications must be postmarked by December 1, 2017. Any questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Clerk's office via telephone (706-649-7816) or email (columbus.ecf@gamd.uscourts.gov). If multiple applications are received, the Court will schedule a hearing to determine how the proceeds should be distributed.

IV. Providing Notice to Defendants

With the exception of the United States of America, none of the Defendants have registered for electronic filing through the Court's electronic filing system and thus will not receive electronic notice of this Order automatically. The Clerk shall serve a copy of this Order via U.S. mail on each of the Defendants listed in Appendix A to this Order. And, within seven days of the date of this Order, Sabal Trail shall mail a copy of this Order to any Defendant who is not listed in Appendix A but whose address is known to Sabal Trail.

Sabal Trail shall also assist the Court with service of this Order by publication on those Defendants whom Sabal Trail represents could not be located despite a diligent search. Those Defendants are listed in Appendix B to this Order. Based on Sabal Trail's prior representations, the appropriate newspaper for publication of this notice is The Camilla Enterprise. Within twenty-eight days of the date of this Order, Sabal Trail shall:

Once Sabal Trail provides the cover letter, check, and proposed notice to the Clerk, the Clerk shall submit these items to the publisher and cause publication of the notice. The Clerk shall note on the docket when this task is complete. Once publication is complete, Sabal Trail shall obtain and submit to the Court via CM/ECF a publisher's affidavit demonstrating that the notice was published.

V. Legal Title to Easements

After Sabal Trail pays into the registry of the Court the amount stated above and files the publisher's affidavit demonstrating that notice of this Order was published, Sabal Trail shall submit to the Court a proposed final order vesting Sabal Trail with legal title to the permanent and temporary easements.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

APPENDIX A

The Clerk shall serve a copy of this Order via U.S. mail on each of the following Defendants:

APPENDIX B

The following Defendants may be served with a copy of this Order by publication: