Environmentalists praised a Supreme Court decision yesterday to let stand a ruling that makes it more difficult for landowners to get compensated when government regulations prevent them from developing their land. Lloyd Good owns 40 acres in Florida, primarily wetlands, and had wanted to build a luxury waterfront development on the land. When federal officials told him to change his plans because two endangered species live on his property, he sued and demanded compensation from the government. But the Supreme Court supported a lower court ruling that found Good was not entitled to a cent of taxpayer money.
