Deseret News | Landowners want Utah Supreme Court to revisit ruling on waterways access.
This Ronald Russell is up in the night appealing the UNANIMOUS decision of the Supreme Court. The court’s ruling, which allows people who access rivers and streams from a public access point to go on the river or walk on the river bed through private property as long as they don’t get out of the river area, was a victory for the people.
I really hope the Supreme Court tells Ronald Russell to pound sand and reaffirms their decision, if they even acknowledge the request for a rehearing at all.
-Tyler
I’ve had some personal experience with this issue when I lived in Iowa. Myself and some friends were camping on a sandbar after floating down a river. At about midnight, 2 very drunk guys carrying pistols told us we were trespassing (we weren’t, we were below the river bank) and forced us to leave. Needless to say, people like Ronald Russell make me want to puke.
I do have one problem with this ruling. It seems that the right to privacy is being trumped by people’s right to recreate. Though I wouldn’t begrudge a considerate fisherman his recreation if he passed through my property, I feel the entitlement is a bit absurd.