§ 14-26-2-5 — Public rights

(a) As used in this section, "natural scenic
beauty" means the natural condition as left by nature without manmade
additions or alterations.
(b) As used in this section, "recreational purpose" means the
following:
(1) Fishing.
(2) Boating.
(3) Swimming.
(4) The storage of water to maintain water levels.
(5) Any other purpose for which lakes are ordinarily used and
adapted.
(c) The:
(1) natural resources and the natural scenic beauty of Indiana are
a public right; and
(2) public of Indiana has a vested right in the following:
(A) The preservation, protection, and enjoyment of all the
public freshwater lakes of Indiana in their present state.
(B) The use of the public freshwater lakes for recreational
purposes.
(d) The state:
(1) has full power and control of all of the public freshwater lakes
in Indiana both meandered and unmeandered; and
(2) holds and controls all public freshwater lakes in trust for the
use of all of the citizens of Indiana for recreational purposes.
(e) A person owning land bordering a public freshwater lake does
not have the exclusive right to the use of the waters of the lake or any
part of the lake.
[Pre-1995 Recodification Citations: 13-2-11.1-1 part;
13-2-11.1-2.]

Legislative History

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.