The course is part 1 of an overview of New York State (primarily) Riparian and Littoral statutes and case law with emphasis on determining ownership of lands under water both of the sea and inland lakes and rivers. It begins with an introduction to riparian terms with definitions for each. The course includes discussions of navigability in law and navigability in fact as considered by New York law, ownership of lands underwater and water- and watercourse-boundary lines. It also includes discussions of tidewaters, and high and low water marks. Actual court cases are profusely used to illustrate the principles that are discussed. The course also begins an introduction to boundary lines defined by water and watercourses, which is continued in Tutorial 2.
Objectives
- Learn specific definitions used at law with respect to riparian and littoral issues so that attendees can understand the principles discussed and apply them in their work.
- Be introduced to the breadth of issues that riparian and littoral issues that involve lands underwater, so that surveyors can better serve their clients by realizing that there are leasing and purchase options of state-owned land that is underwater
- Understand how navigability and high and low water marks are considered in New York to better evaluate property boundary and ownership issues that the surveyor may face. Textbooks covering the nation do not provide the detail with respect to New York, thus land surveyors are better equipped from this course to discuss the legal details with government officials and the legal profession.
