Based on the article, it sounds like the company that originally built the dam did not observe the shoreline plan requirements in the Federal permit. They incorrectly sold off lakefront property that the law required be kept undeveloped. It should be the power company that has to repurchase the land at market value and restore it to meet the requirements. There is no way the current landowners should be left holding the bag without compensation.
I like your common sense answer. The energy users in Missouri will foot the bill though. It will simply be a cost of doing business for AmerenUE.
On the other hand, I’d rather see the answer to the question “Who or what is harmed by not enforcing this regulation? What is the purpose of the regulation?”
Actually, I think it's a poor article which leaves out a lot of crucial information. The homeowners will most likely be compensated; but the article leaves the definite impression that the land will be "seized" without any compensation.
My question is whether there was such a "shoreline plan" back in the 1930's when the dam was built. I tend to think there wasn't.