Alaska Statutes.
Title 38. Public Land
Chapter 5. Alaska Land Act
Section 128. Obstructions to Navigable Water.
previous: Section 127. Access to Navigable or Public Water.
next: Section 130. Damages and Posting of Bond.

AS 38.05.128. Obstructions to Navigable Water.

(a) A person may not obstruct or interfere with the free passage or use by a person of any navigable water unless the obstruction or interference is

(1) authorized by a federal agency and a state agency;

(2) authorized under a federal or state law or permit;

(3) exempt under 33 U.S.C. 1344(f) (Clean Water Act);

(4) caused by the normal operation of freight barging that is otherwise consistent with law; or

(5) authorized by the commissioner after reasonable public notice.

(b) An unauthorized obstruction or interference is a public nuisance and is subject to abatement. The cost of abatement shall be borne by the violator and is in addition to any penalty imposed by the court.

(c) This section may not be construed to affect or abridge valid existing rights.

(d) Free passage or use of any navigable water includes the right to use land below the ordinary high water mark to the extent reasonably necessary to use the navigable water consistent with the public trust.

(e) Free passage or use of any navigable water includes the right to enter adjacent land above the ordinary high water mark as necessary to portage around obstacles or obstructions to travel on the water, provided

(1) entry is made without injury or damage to the land;

(2) entry is made in the least obtrusive manner possible;

(3) there is no reasonable alternative available to avoid the use of the adjacent land above the ordinary high water mark; and

(4) the navigable water is reentered immediately below the obstacle or obstruction at the nearest point where it is safe to do so.

(f) A violation of (a) of this section is a class B misdemeanor.

All content © 2008 by Touch N' Go/Bright Solutions, Inc.

Note to HTML Version:

This version of the Alaska Statutes is current through December, 2007. The Alaska Statutes were automatically converted to HTML from a plain text format. Every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy, but this can not be guaranteed. If it is critical that the precise terms of the Alaska Statutes be known, it is recommended that more formal sources be consulted. For statutes adopted after the effective date of these statutes, see, Alaska State Legislature If any errors are found, please e-mail Touch N' Go systems at E-mail. We hope you find this information useful.