11-17-2025 - Agenda Packet Planning Commission - Full Packet

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From: Adam Edwards To: GABRIEL JABBOUR; Bob, Tunheim Orono Mayor Cc: Laura Oakden; Bob Tunheim Subject: RE: Public water access rights Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 10:37:24 AM Gabe, Thanks. This is helpful. OWN F1oi' From: GABRIELJABBOUR <gabrieljabbour@msn.com> Sent: Friday, October 31, 2025 8:49 AM To: Bob, Tunheim Orono Mayor <retunheim@gmail.com>; Adam Edwards <aedwards@oronomn.gov> Subject: FW: Public water access rights You might fimef this helpful -------- Original message From: "Doll, Adam (DNR)" <adam.do11Pstate.mn.us> Date: 4/17/23 12:36 PM (GMT-06:00) To: "gabrieliabbour(@msn.com" <GABRIEUABBOUR(@msn.com> Subject: Public water access rights Hi Gabe, Thank you for your questions regarding public access to Minnesota's waters. Water access rights are tied to Minnesota case law; previous cases have established that the public is considered a riparian landowner when public roads are abutting the water, or at public water accesses. As riparian landowners the public has riparian rights and they are entitled to exercise their rights over the entire surface of a lake. Riparian rights include the right to wharf out to a navigable depth; to take water for domestic and agricultural purposes; to take ice; to fish, boat, hunt, swim; to such other uses as water bodies are normally put. Additionally, one riparian owner cannot keep others from using all of the lake. The DNR has a great summary page covering water law basics if you or anyone would like to see specific case ruling sources and citations. It can be viewed HERE. Public access is defined in statute MS 97A.015 Subd. 40. Definitions: "Public access. "Public access" means an access that is publicly owned and accessible to the public without charge." It has been the policy of Minnesota's public water access program to provide access to public water free of charge. All aspects of the program are paid for by boaters and anglers, with license and registration fees and 241