How does the Department select which waterways it wants to study?
Any person, government agency, or organization may request that the Land Board direct the Department to conduct a navigability study. However, in determining whether to direct the Department to conduct a study, the Land Board considers whether there is an economic justification for the study, or if a broad and substantial public interest exists in conducting the study. To determine the level of public interest, the Land Board will consider the magnitude and duration of the problems cited as reasons to conduct the study, and whether the problems can be solved in any other manner. The Land Board has stated that a navigability study is the method of last resort to resolve conflicts between riparian users and land owners.
