I was surprised in the year 2000 when a man by the name of Kevin Conatser along with some of his family members were cited by a local Sherriff for trespassing after they floated a rubber raft down a public river that crossed private land. I then felt as if the public’s collective cheese had been left hanging in the wind when a lesser court upheld the charge, citing of all things a Wyoming law!
BULL!
Happily this was appealed to the Supreme Court, which threw out the ridiculous ruling of the lower court and clarified that the public had an easement to access rivers and streams (which are public property) and to use the State’s waterways for recreation. (http://www.utcourts.gov/opinions/supopin/Conatser071808.pdf)
It is my understanding that legislation will likely be introduced shortly to change the law in order to circumvent or invalidate this ruling. If you believe as I do (that water in a desert state should be a public resource, not a privilege enjoyed by the wealthy few) then follow this link and contact your representatives accordingly:
http://utahwaterguardians.wordpress.com/action/
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