HF2857

Purpose of the Bill

The bill seeks to regulate the use of public roads that end at bodies of water such as lakes or streams, ensuring they remain unobstructed and accessible to the public.

Main Provisions

• Public Road End Definition: This refers to the end of any public road leading directly to a lake, pond, river, or stream.
• Prohibited Activities: The bill outlines several activities that are not allowed at the public road ends unless specified by a recorded deed or easement:
  1. Constructing, installing, maintaining, or using boat hoists or anchorage devices.
  2. Mooring or docking boats overnight, specifically between midnight and sunrise.
  3. Engaging in any activities that block access to or from the water.
  4. Building or using a dock or wharf, with the exception of a single seasonal dock or wharf owned and maintained by a municipality or county.

Significant Changes

• The introduction of these prohibitions marks a significant addition to Minnesota's laws regarding access and use of public water bodies and their adjacent road ends.

Enforcement

• Violation of these rules is classified as a misdemeanor. Each day the violation continues is considered a separate offense, which could lead to multiple charges for ongoing non-compliance.

Relevant Terms

• Public road end
• Boat hoists
• Docking boats
• Obstructs ingress
• Misdemeanor