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Resolution No. 964 <br />Page 3 <br />WHEREAS, as the population has increased around Lake <br />Minnetonka, and in the Twin City Area generally, it is clear that <br />more and more people have used the lake for sailing, rowing, fishing, <br />boating, bathing, skating, and other public purposes which cannot <br />be now fully enumerated or even anticipated; and <br />WHEREAS, Lake Minnetonka is capable of substantial beneficial <br />public use only as long as all riparian users of the lake are regulated <br />in such a way as to insure there is no abuse of the limited riparian <br />rights; and , <br />WHEREAS, the marina as a commercial riparian owner only has <br />limited riparian rights incident to the ownership of real estate <br />bordering upon Lake Minnetonka. The marina operator has a limited <br />right to build and maintain one suitable landing or dock, on and in <br />front of his land, and to extend the same therefrom into Lake Minnetonka <br />to a point of navigability; but, under no circumstances may he encroach <br />into Lake Minnetonka to a point where he impairs the water's navigability <br />for other public purposes or where he unreasonably interferes with the <br />•surface water rights of all riparians and members of the public generally; <br />and <br />WHEREAS, it is fundamental that a riparian owner's rights are <br />measured by the necessities and character of his use. The marinas, <br />for private commercial gain wish to temporarily and, in fact, permanently <br />alter the use _of the surface water in Lake Minnetonka. Certain sections , <br />of the lake, once a source of excellent fishing, have been.converted <br />and, in fact, in the future will continue to be converted, into a <br />commercial enterprise all to the detriment of other riparian owners and <br />.the public. The marinas present operations and contemplated operations <br />far exceed a reasonable use -of their limited riparian rights; and <br />WHEREAS, the most general public 'use of water is paramount <br />and should take priority over excessive riparian use for commercial <br />purposes of the lake by the marinas; and <br />WHEREAS, the marinas have separated and disassociated from <br />the normal riparian rights in many sections of the public waters on <br />Lake Minnetonka by having extended their docks out into LakeMinnetonka <br />beyond the point of navigability and have transferred those rights to <br />others who do not have riparian 'rights and who are not members of the <br />general public who obtain access and use of Lake Minnetonka by use of <br />•the public access points along Lake Minnetonka. Such commercial transfers <br />of -the riparian rights of Lake Minnetonka have resulted in an abuse of <br />reasonable riparian access to Lake Minnetonka. Such abuses must be <br />qualified, restricted and subordinated to the paramount rights of the <br />public to the public waters of Lake Minnetonka; and <br />