House Sponsors: SKINNER. Short description: RIPARIAN RIGHTS ACT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Riparian Rights Act. Establishes rights to the access and use of the water and bottomland associated with the ownership of the bank or shore of an inland lake or stream. Provides that the owner of these rights has the right to do the following: (a) place a seasonal structure on bottomland to facilitate private noncommercial recreational use of the water if it does not unreasonably interfere with the use of the water by others entitled to use the water or interfere with water flow; (b) reasonably sand beaches to the existing water's edge; (c) construct and operate a pollution control facility that is approved for construction by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Environmental Protection Act; (d) construct and maintain minor drainage structures and facilities that are identified by rule established by the Department of Natural Resources; or (e) construct and maintain privately owned cooling or storage ponds used in connection with a public utility except at the interface with public waters. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes the definition of "bottomland" from the Act. Deletes references to "stream". Excludes from the definition of "drain" agricultural draining tile or agricultural drainage tile outlets. Excludes from the definition of "inland lake" a body of water that the Department of Natural Resources owns or has a property interest in. Provides that an inland lake includes a lake or pond that has a surface area of less than 5 acres. Limits the riparian rights of owners to the owners of land located in counties exceeding 3,000,000 persons or in counties that are adjacent to counties with over 3,000,000 persons. Deletes provisions permitting a riparian owner to construct and maintain minor drainage structures and facilities that are identified by Department rule. Provides that a riparian owner may only construct and maintain privately owned cooling or storage ponds used in connection with a public utility that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. Provides that the Act does not prohibit a public utility or a power plant from lawful construction, maintenance, or removal of facilities on lakes, streams, or waterways to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the public utility or power plant. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 01-01-09 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 1 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status