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Sweetwater · 07-02-2006, 04:02 PM

I am also a very strong proponent of land and property rights. However, the question here is equal parts "access" and property rights. The ocean is a public resource and when land owners deny access to public property, that is were the rights of the two parties converge and reasonable resolutions are needed.

In some states, beach front property owners have rights up and unto a reasonable point that also allows public use of the beach. For example, in South Carolina, beach front property owners have rights to the dune edge (which is quite some distance from the high tide line due to the very broad beaches along those stretches). Further, there are regular easments along the beach front that allow the public to walk to the beach between properties.

I was shocked when I first moved to Massachusetts (1981) and found there there were such things as "private beaches" and when I encountered my first fence that extended to the high water mark. This is an anathema in many states (like South Carolina) that are VERY strong property rights states.

I think we can come to a reasonable use of land that both provides public access to a public resource, while protecting the rights of those of have substantial investments in beach front properties. However it will require a change in attitudes among both owners and the public.

07-02-2006, 04:02 PM	#19
Sweetwater Ruled only by the tide iTrader: (0) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Truro Posts: 801	I am also a very strong proponent of land and property rights. However, the question here is equal parts "access" and property rights. The ocean is a public resource and when land owners deny access to public property, that is were the rights of the two parties converge and reasonable resolutions are needed. In some states, beach front property owners have rights up and unto a reasonable point that also allows public use of the beach. For example, in South Carolina, beach front property owners have rights to the dune edge (which is quite some distance from the high tide line due to the very broad beaches along those stretches). Further, there are regular easments along the beach front that allow the public to walk to the beach between properties. I was shocked when I first moved to Massachusetts (1981) and found there there were such things as "private beaches" and when I encountered my first fence that extended to the high water mark. This is an anathema in many states (like South Carolina) that are VERY strong property rights states. I think we can come to a reasonable use of land that both provides public access to a public resource, while protecting the rights of those of have substantial investments in beach front properties. However it will require a change in attitudes among both owners and the public.
	Three-fourths of the Earth's surface is water, and one-fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.