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North DakotaSovereign Land

Management Plan

OfficeoftheStateEngineer900EastBoulevardAvenue,Dept770

Bismarck,ND58505-0850www.swc.nd.gov

January2007

NORT

HDAK

OTA STATE ENGINEER

1 9 0 5

MANAG

ING WATER RESOURCESOF THE STATE

for theBENEFIT of its PEOPLE

Table of Contents

Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1

BackgoundandPurposeoftheSovereignLandManagementPlan .......................... 1

ThePlanningProcess .............................................................................................. 2

ApplicableLawsandRules............................................................................................... 3

ApplicationofthePublicTrustDoctrine ........................................................................... 4

SovereignLands:WhereAreThey? ................................................................................... 4

TheFederalStandardUndertheEqualFootingDoctrine.......................................... 4

TheFederalStandardUndertheUnitedStatesConstitutionCommerceClause........ 5

NorthDakota’sNavigableWaters............................................................................ 5

TheOrdinaryHighWaterMark ........................................................................................ 8

GeneralGuidelinesforOrdinaryHighWaterMarkDelineations ............................ 8

CorrelativeRightsBetweentheStateandRiparianLandowners............................... 9

PlanStrategiesandRecommendations............................................................................ 11

SovereignLandManagementPlanRecommendationsandActionStrategies ......... 11

PlanEvaluation............................................................................................................... 18

Addendum ..................................................................................................................... 19

Introduction

NorthDakota’ssovereignlandsarethoseareas,includingbedsandislands,lyingwithintheordinaryhighwatermarkofnavigablelakesandstreams.1TheStateofNorthDakotaplaysanimportantroleinthemanagementofsovereignlandthroughtheStateEngineer,whoisresponsibleforadministeringthestate’snon-mineralinterestsinNorthDakota’ssovereignland.2

ThegoaloftheStateEngineerinmanagingthisvitalresourceis:tomanage,operate,andsuperviseNorthDakota’ssovereignland,formultipleuses,thatareconsistentwiththePublicTrustDoctrine,andareinthebestinterestofpresentandfuturegenerations.

BackgroundandPurposeoftheSovereignLandManagementPlanOnJanuary3,2005,theNorthDakotaAttorneyGeneralissuedanopinion,NorthDakotaAttorneyGeneral(N.D.A.G.)2005-L-01,regardingtheabilityoflanddeveloperstoconstructwildlifehabitatonsovereignlandtosatisfyfederalmitigationrequirements.3Inthatopinion,theOfficeoftheStateEngineerwasadvisedto,amongotherthings,issuesovereignlandpermitsonlywhentheyareconsistentwithacomprehensivesovereignlandmanagementplan.

TheStateEngineer’sauthoritytomanagesovereignlandisderivedfromNorthDakotaCenturyCode(N.D.C.C.)§61-33-05,whichstatesthattheStateEngineershall“manage,operate,andsupervise”sovereignland.TheStateEngineerhasadoptedadministrativerulestocreateaframeworktofollowlegislativedirectives.4But,theAttorneyGeneralhasindicatedmanagementofsovereignlandrequiresthattheStateEngineerincorporatethePublicTrustDoctrineintoanymanagementscheme.Specifically,thattheStateEngineercreateaplanpursuanttotheDoctrinetomanagesovereignland.

Inresponse,theOfficeoftheStateEngineerhasdevelopedaNorthDakotaSovereignLandManagementPlanto:

1.ContinuetofulfilltheStateEngineer’sdutytomanagesovereignlandpursuanttothePublicTrustDoctrine;

2.SatisfyrequirementsoutlinedinN.D.A.G.2005-L-01;

3.Provideimprovedconsistencyinthemanagementofsovereignlandandadministrationofregulations;

1N.D.C.C.§61-33-01(3).2Thestate’smineralinterestsinsovereignlandsaremanagedbytheStateLandDepartmentundertheauthorityoftheBoardofUniversityandSchoolLands.N.D.C.C.§61-33-03.3N.D.A.G.2005-L-01.4N.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01.

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4.ServeasacomplementtoNorthDakota’sAdministrativeCode(N.D.A.C.)ch.89-10-01concerningsovereignlandmanagement;and

5.Generallyimprovemanagementofthestate’ssovereignlandforpresentandfuturegenerations.

ThePlanningProcessIndevelopingNorthDakota’sSovereignLandManagementPlan,theOfficeoftheStateEngineerrecognizedtheneedfordiversetechnicalexpertise,andthereforesoughtassistancefromtheNorthDakotaSovereignLandAdvisoryBoardprovidedforintheNorthDakotaCenturyCode.5Inresponse,atechnicalworkinggroup,including,butnotlimitedto,representativesfromalloftheadvisoryboardmemberagencies,wasformedtobringabroadspectrumofinterestsandexpertiseintotheplanningprocess.Memberagenciesonthesovereignlandtechnicalworkinggroupincluded(inalphabeticalorder)the:

• AttorneyGeneral’sOffice • DepartmentofAgriculture • GameandFishDepartment • GarrisonDiversionConservancyDistrict • HealthDepartment • HistoricalSociety • LandDepartment • ParksandRecreationDepartment • OfficeoftheStateEngineer • StateWaterCommission

Thisplanistheproductofacooperativeplanningeffortbetweentheaboveagencies,coordinatedbytheOfficeoftheStateEngineerandStateWaterCommissionstaff.Inaddition,commentsfromothergovernmententitiesandthegeneralpublicweresoughtandconsideredinthefinalversionoftheplan.

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Figure1:TheinteractiveandcooperativeNorthDakotaSovereignLandManagementPlandevelopmentprocess.

5N.D.C.C.§§61-33-08and61-33-09.

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Thesourceofthestate’sauthoritytomanagesovereignlandemanatesmostcentrallyfromtheEqualFootingDoctrine.N.D.A.G.2005-L-01providesacomprehensivediscussionoftheDoctrineandthebasisofthestate’sauthoritytomanagesovereignland.ButthePublicTrustDoctrineprovidestheframeworkforthestatetomanagesovereignland.

Black’sLawDictionarydefinesthePublicTrustDoctrineas“theprinciplethatnavigablewatersarepreservedforthepublicuse,andthatthestateisresponsibleforprotectingthepublic’srighttotheuse.”6Thus,inthesimplestofterms,thePublicTrustDoctrineprovidesforthelegalrightofthepublictousecertainlandsandwaters.Further,theNorthDakotaSupremeCourt,inUnitedPlainsmenAss’nv.StateWaterConservationComm’n,247N.W.2d,457,463,statedthattheDoctrinepermitsalienationandallocationofsuchpreciousstateresources,onlyafterananalysisofpresentsupplyandfuturedemand.

ThePublicTrustDoctrine,asinterpretedbytheNorthDakotaSupremeCourt,imposesonthestatethedutytomanagesovereignlandtofosternotonlythe“public’srightofnavigation”butalso“otherimportantaspectsofthestate’spublictrustinterest,suchasbathing,swimming,recreationandfishing,aswellasirrigation,industrialandotherwatersupplies.”7TheDoctrinefurtherrequirestheprotectionandpreservationofotherinterestsincluding“natural,scenic,historic,andaestheticvalues.”8

TheNorthDakotaSupremeCourthasalsostatedthatthePublicTrustDoctrineincludesanelementofplanning,andthattheDoctrinerequires,ataminimum,evidenceofplanningintheallocationofpublicwaterresources.9Thisinfactbecametheoriginalsourceoftheplanningrequirementthatpromptedthedevelopmentofasovereignlandmanagementplanforthestate.

Applicable Laws and Rules

6Black’sLawDictionary1246(7thed.1999).7J.P.FurlongEnterprises,Inc.v.SunExplor.&Prod.Co.,423N.W.2d130,140(N.D.1988).8UnitedPlainsmenAss’nv.StateWaterConservationComm’n,247N.W.2d457,462(N.D.1976)(citingPaynev.Kassab,312A.2d86,93(Penn.1973).9UnitedPlainsmen,at463.

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ThePublicTrustDoctrineprovidesthegeneralframeworkforNorthDakota’sSovereignLandManagementPlanbyplacingsignificantlimitationsandaffirmativedutiesonthestate.Assuch,thebestinterestsofthepublicrequiretheconservationandpreservationofthestate’ssovereignland.TheDoctrine,however,hasexceptionsforactivitieswithequalbenefittothepublicincluding,butnotlimitedtobridges,boatramps,andwatersupplyintakes.PrivateuseofsovereignlandmayalsobepermissibleundertheDoctrinesolongasthepublic’sinterestsarenotmateriallycompromised.10

Application of the Public Trust Doctrine

OneofthemorechallengingaspectsofapplyingthePublicTrustDoctrineistoclearlyidentifywhatlandissovereignandsubjecttostatecontrol.Again,NorthDakota’ssovereignlandsarethoseareas,includingbedsandislands,lyingwithintheordinaryhighwatermarkofnavigablelakesandstreams.InNorthDakota,twointerrelatedfederalstandardsmaybeconsideredfordeterminingwhetheragivenwaterbodyisnavigable.ThefirstisthefederalstandardforestablishingstatetitletosovereignlandundertheEqualFootingDoctrine.Thesecondisalsoafederalstandard,wherewaterbodiesaredefinedasnavigablewatersoftheUnitedStatesundertheCommerceClauseoftheUnitedStatesConstitution.TheFederalStandardUndertheEqualFootingDoctrineWhenapplyingthefederalstandardundertheEqualFootingDoctrine,waterwaysarenavigableiftheywerenavigableinfactatstatehood:

Sovereign Lands: Where Are They?

10E.g.,Caminitiv.Boyle,732P.2d989,995-96(Wash.1987)(privatedocksnotnecessarilyinconsistentwiththetrust);KootenaiEnvtl.Alliancev.PanhandleYachtClub,Inc.,671p.2d1085,1094(Idaho1983)(privatemarinapermitted);Statev.Bleck,338N.W.2d492,498(Wis.1983)(skijumpacceptableifitdoesnot“materiallyobstructnavigation”and“isnotdetrimentaltothepublicinterest”);Morsev.OregonDiv.ofStateLands,590P.2d709,712(Or.1979)(privategrantsacceptableiftheydonotsubstantiallyimpairthepublic’sinterests);Statev.Pub.Serv.Comm’n,81N.W.2d71,74-75(Wis.1957)(smallpartofalakecouldbefilledtoexpandapark);Boonev.Kingsbury,273P.797,817(Cal.1923)(drillingderrickswouldnotsignificantlyimpedethepublictruct,particularlysincethestateretainedauthoritytohavethederricksmovediftheydidinterferewiththetrust).

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Andtheyarenavigableinfactwhentheyareused,oraresusceptibleofbeingused,intheirordinarycondition,ashighwaysforcommerce,overwhichtradeandtravelareormaybeconductedinthecustomarymodesoftradeandtravelonwater.11

Thus,ifhistoricalinvestigationsdeterminethatawaterbodywasusedasahighwayforcommerce,thenitwouldlikelybeconsiderednavigable.However,inasparselypopulatedstatelikeNorthDakota,wherehistoricalrecordsaroundthetimeofstatehoodarelimitedorarenon-existent,thestandardofbeingsusceptibletouseforcommercebecomesveryimportant.

Thesusceptibilitytestrequiresthatawaterbodyneedonlybecapableofsupportingcommerceinitsnaturalstate,andthatitneednoteverhavesupportednavigationforcommerce,aslongasitscharacteristicsandlocationcouldlenditselftothosetypesofactivities.Additionaldiscussionsofsusceptibility,asitpertainstoNorthDakota,willbepresentedingreaterdetaillaterintheplan.

TheFederalStandardUndertheUnitedStatesConstitutionCommerceClauseTheCommerceClauseoftheUnitedStatesConstitutionstates:“TheCongressshallhavepower...toregulateCommercewithforeignNations,andamongtheseveralStates,andwiththeIndianTribes...”12Assuch,federaljurisdictionovernavigablewaterwayshasbeenassertedthroughvariousstatutes,suchasSection10oftheRiversandHarborsActof189913andtheFederalPowerAct.14

ThemostinfluentialcasethatdefinedstandardsfornavigabilitydeterminationsundertheCommerceClausetestwasUnitedStatesv.AppalachianElec.PowerCo.in1940.15Inthatcase,theSupremeCourtdeterminedthatnavigabilitymaybeestablishedby:(1)presentuseorsuitabilityforuse;(2)suitabilityforfutureusewithreasonableimprovements;or(3)pastuseorsuitabilityforpastuse.16ThereareseveralsimilaritiesbetweentheCommerceClausetestofnavigabilityandthestandardundertheEqualFootingDoctrine,buttherearealsoimportantdifferences.Onedifferenceisthatreasonableimprovementstothewaterwaytofacilitatetravelmaybeconsidered.17CloselyrelatedistheissuethatnavigabilityforCommerceClausepurposescandevelopafterstatehoodwithwaterwayimprovements.18Andlastly,theCommerceClausetestrequiresthatawaterwaymustserveasalinkininterstateorforeigncommerce,whereastheEqualFootingDoctrinetestdoesnot.19

NorthDakota’sNavigableWatersInthepast,NorthDakotahasaffirmativelyassertedjurisdictionoverarelativelysmallnumberofthestate’swatersbasedonbothfederaltestsofnavigability.

11TheDanielBall,77U.S.(10Wall.)557,563(1871).12U.S.Const.art.Isec.8,cl.3.1333U.S.C.401-406.1416U.S.C.791etseq.15311U.S.377(1940).16Gollattev.Harrell,731F.Supp.453,458(S.D.Ala.1989);UnitedStatesv.AppalachianElec.PowerCo.,311U.S.377,405-08(1940).17TheMontello,87U.S.(20Wall)430(1874).18AppalachianElec.Power,at408.19Oregonv.RiverfrontProtectionAss’n,672F.2d792,794n.1(9thCir.1982);Utahv.UnitedStates,403U.S.9,10(1971).

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MeaningthatsomeofNorthDakota’swaterswereidentifiedasnavigablebecauseofthefederalstandardundertheEqualFootingDoctrine.OthersweredeterminedtobenavigablebecausetheywerelistedasSection10(oftheRiversandHarborsActof1899)“watersoftheUnitedStates”undertheConstitution’sCommerceClausetest.20

Beforedevelopmentofthisplan,thecourtshaddeterminedtheMissouriandJamesRivers,andDevils,PaintedWoods,andSweetwaterLakestobenavigablebecauseofthefederalstandardundertheEqualFootingDoctrine.Inaddition,theMissouriRiver,theJamesRiverfromtheNorthDakota/SouthDakotabordertotherailroadbridgeinJamestown,theYellowstoneRiver,theRedRiverfromtheconfluenceoftheBoisDeSiouxandOttertailRiversinWahpetontotheCanadianborder,theBoisDeSiouxRiverfromtheNorthDakota/SouthDakotabordertoitsconfluencewiththeOttertailRiverinWahpeton,andtheUpperDesLacsLakeweredeterminedtobeSection10waterways,andthusnavigable.

However,failuretobeidentifiedasanavigablewaterwaybythecourtsortheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersdoesnotpreventtheStateEngineerfromassertingjurisdictionoveradditionallands.Infact,theStateEngineerhasaresponsibilityunderthePublicTrustDoctrinetouseprudentjudgmentinidentifyingalloftheriversandlakesthroughoutthestatethatshouldbeincludedonthestate’slistofnavigablewaters,basedontheirlocation,physicalcharacteristics,and/orhistoricandpresentuse.

InordertoaddressNorthDakota’swatersthathavenopriorfederalnavigabilitydeterminations,itwillbenecessaryforthestatetoidentifyotherwaterbodiesthatarelikelynavigable,andthereforeinvolvesovereignlandunderthejurisdictionoftheStateEngineer.Tomakethosedeterminations,thestatewillrelyonthefederalstandardfornavigabilityundertheEqualFootingDoctrine–inparticular,whetherawaterbodywas“susceptible”tonavigationatstatehood,orifhistoricaldocumentationwarrantsanavigabilitydetermination.

Sincethenavigabilitytestrequiresonlythatawaterbodybesusceptibleorcapableofbeingusedasahighwayforcommerce,susceptibilityasacommercialhighwaymaybeshownseveralways,includingthroughanexaminationofariver’sphysicalcharacteristics.21Ifawaterbodyis“capableinitsnaturalstateofbeingusedforpurposesofcommerce,nomatterinwhatmodethecommercemaybeconducted,itisnavigableinfact,andbecomesinlawanavigableriverorhighway.”22

Inconsiderationofmodesoftransportation,thetypesofwatercraftusedaroundthetimeofstatehoodcanbeusedtomeasurenavigability.Thus,canoes;small,flat-bottomedboats;andanyothershallow-draftboatscansuffice.Further,ifariver’spresentcharacteristicsmakeitusefulforcommerce,andifhydrologicalevidenceorothertechnicalproofindicatethatpresentcharacteristicsaresimilartothoseatstatehood,thenthatmaybeconsideredproofofnavigability.23

20ThelistingofwatersasSection10navigablewaterwaysisafunctionoftheU.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers.21AppalachianElec.Power,at410-13;UnitedStatesv.Utah,283U.S.64,83(1931);TheMontello,at441-42;Alaskav.UnitedStates,662F.Supp.455,463(D.Alaska1987).22TheMontello,at441-42.23CharlesM.Carvell,NDWaterways:ThePublic’sRightofRecreationandQuestionsofTitle,65N.D.L.Rev7,at17(1988),citingUnitedStatesv.Utah,at83;Lovingv.Alexander,548F.Supp.1079,1089(W.D.Va.1982).

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Withregardtolakesandotherwaterbasins,technicalstandardsandphysicalcharacteristicsalonemaybeinadequatetodeterminesusceptibilityofuse.Thisissue,asitrelatestoNorthDakota,wasaddressedcomprehensivelyinarecentAttorneyGeneralmemorandumontheownershipofWhiteLakeinMountrailCounty.24Generallyspeaking,ithasbeendeterminedwithrespecttolakesthatgeography,nothydrologicalcharacteristics,isamoreimportantoverridingfactor,intheabsenceofhistoricevidenceofuseforcommerce.Evenifanytypeofboatcouldtraverseagivenlake,itismoreimportantthatthelakeis“sosituatedthatitbecomesorislikelytobecomeavaluablefactorincommerce.”25Thus,isolatedbodiesofwater,ordead-endlakes,thatarenotsituatedtobeusedasameansoftransportationorahighwayofcommercemaynotbenavigable.26

Sinceriver,stream,andlakenavigabilitydeterminationsaredependentonseveralcircumstances,andsincetherearethousandsofmilesofriversandstreamsandhundredsoflakesthroughoutthestatethathavenotbeensubjectedtonavigabilitydeterminations,aninventoryofexistingnavigablewaterbodiesisallbutimpossibletodevelopduringthecourseofthisplanningprocess.Therefore,thestatewillproceedwiththedevelopmentofnavigabilitydeterminationstandards,followedbytheimplementationofthosestandardsforjurisdictionaldeterminationsonacase-by-casebasisinthefuture.

Intheinterim,anyonepursuingaprojectoccurringinoraroundanyriverorstream,ormeanderedwaterbody,shallberequiredtosubmitanapplicationtotheOfficeoftheStateEngineerforasovereignlandpermit.TheStateEngineer’sauthoritytoregulateactivitiesonthosewaterbodieswillbereviewed,basedonthebestavailableevidenceatthattime.

24MemorandumfromAssistantAttorneyGeneralCharlesCarvelltoDeputyLandCommissionerRickLarson(June17,2005).25Id.(citingStateV.Aucoin,20So.2d136,154(La.1944).26Lefevrev.WashingtonMonument&CutStoneCo.,81P.2d819,822(Wash.1938);UnitedStatesv.Utah,at83,86.

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Thedelineationoftheordinaryhighwatermarkisacriticalcomponentofsovereignlandmanagement,becauseitidentifiesthespecificareasinandaroundthestate’snavigablewatersthatareunderthejurisdictionoftheStateEngineer.Anotherwayoflookingatitisthattheordinaryhighwatermarkdelineatestheboundarybetweenuplandsownedbyriparianlandownersandstate-ownedsovereignland.

AsdefinedinNorthDakota’sAdministrativeCode,ordinaryhighwatermarkmeans:

[T]hatlinebelowwhichtheactionofthewaterisfrequentenougheithertopreventthegrowthofvegetationortorestrictitsgrowthtopredominantlywetlandspecies.Islandsinnavigablestreamsandwatersareconsideredtobebelowtheordinaryhighwatermarkintheirentirety.27

TheNorthDakotaSupremeCourthasfurtherdefinedhighwatermarkas:

[W]hatitslanguageimports-awatermark.Itisco-ordinatewiththelimitofthebedofwater;andthatonlyistobeconsideredthebedthatthewateroccupiessufficientlylongandcontinuouslytowrestitfromvegetation,anddestroyitsvalueforagriculturalpurposes....

Insomeplaces,however,wherethebanksarelowandflat,thewaterdoesnotimpressonthesoilanywell-definedlineofdemarcationbetweenthebedandthebanks.Insuchcasestheeffectofthewateruponvegetationmustbetheprincipaltestindeterminingthelocationofhigh-watermarkasalinebetweentheriparianownerandthepublic.Itisthepointuptowhichthepresenceofactionofthewaterissocontinuousastodestroythevalueofthelandforagriculturalpurposesbypreventingthegrowthofvegetation,constitutingwhatmaybetermedanordinaryagriculturalcrop.28

GeneralGuidelinesforOrdinaryHighWaterMarkDelineationsTheabovedefinitionsdoprovidesomeguidanceforordinaryhighwatermarkdelineationsinNorthDakota,whereinthecourtsdeterminedthathydrologyandimpactsuponthesoilaretheprimaryindicators,followedbyvegetativeimpacts.But,beyondthosedefinitions,theStateofNorthDakotadoesnothaveaspecificsetofstandardsorguidelinesestablishedforordinaryhighwatermarkdelineations.

The Ordinary High Water Mark

27N.D.A.C.§ 89-10-01-03.28Stateexrel.Sprynczynatykv.Mills,1999ND75,¶13,592N.W.2d591(citingInreOwnershipoftheBedofDevilsLake,423N.W.2dat144-5(quotingRuttenv.State,93N.W.2d796,799N.D.1958)).

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TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerrecognizestheneedforsuchstandards,andasaresult,membersofthesovereignlandworkgroupinitiatedtheprocessofdevelopingspecificguidelines.However,thatlevelofeffortexceededtheoriginalscopeofthesovereignlandmanagementplanningprocess,butproceededindependentlyasarelatedproject.

Todevelopaspecificsetofstandardsorguidelines,otherstateswereconsulted(particularlyMinnesota,Wisconsin,andWashington).Allhaveorareintheprocessofdevelopingtechnicalguidelinesforordinaryhighwatermarkdelineations.Thoughalloftheabovestateshavedescriptionsofwhattolookforinordinaryhighwatermarkdelineations,theydonotallagreeontheimportanceofspecificindicators.

InMinnesota,theprimaryphysicalfeatureslookedforinorderofsignificancearetrees,water-formedevidence,andvegetativeevidence.29InWashington,thehierarchicalorderofsignificanceishydrology,soils,andthenvegetation.30InWisconsin,thestateprovidesaninventoryofwhattolookfor,thoughnoorderofsignificanceisprovidedforeachoftheindicators.31

Acommonalityforallordinaryhighwatermarkdelineationtechniques,nomatterwheretheyarebeingconducted,isthattheymustbemultidisciplinaryinnature.Ordinaryhighwatermarkdelineationsshouldconsiderhydrology,soils,vegetation,andotherphysicalindicators(i.e.icescars,erosion,mud/sediment/waterstains,wrack,sedimentdeposition,etc).Thus,itisprobablylessimportanttofocusontheorderofimportanceofallthepotentialwatermarkindicatorsthanitistorecognizethatseveralindicatorsareimportant.CorrelativeRightsBetweentheStateandRiparianLandownersTheOfficeoftheStateEngineerisrequiredtomanagesovereignlands,whichincludethoseareasfromhighwatermarktohighwatermarkonnavigablewaters.However,thereisalsotheissueofcorrelativerightsbetweenthestateandriparianlandownersbetweentheordinaryhighwatermarkandtheordinarylowwatermark,wherethatareaisoftenreferredtoastheshore-zone.Theordinarylowwatermarkisdefinedasamarkthatis“thelowlevelreachedbywatersofalakeunderordinaryconditions,unaffectedbyperiodsofextremeandcontinuousdrought.”32Ithasalsobeendefinedas“thelineorlevelatwhichthewatersofalakeusuallystandwhenfreefromdisturbingcauses.”33

ThisissueofcorrelativerightswasaddressedinN.D.A.G.2004-L-33,whereitwasexplainedthatbetweentheordinaryhighwatermarkandthelowwatermarkthereisazonealongtheshorelinewhereinthestateandthelandownerhavecorrelativerights.34InStateexrel.Sprynczynatykv.Mills,theNorthDakotaSupremeCourt

29JohnScherekandGlenYakel,GuidelinesforOrdinaryHighWaterLevel(OHWL)Determinations,MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesTechnicalPaper11,1993.30ErikStockdaleandAlanWald,MethodsforDelineatinganOrdinaryHighWaterLineorOrdinaryHighWaterMarkonStreamsandRiversinWashingtonState(DraftVersion1.1),WashingtonDepartmentofFishandWildlife,WashingtonDepartmentofEcology,2005.31WisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources,WaterwayandWetlandHandbook(Chapter40,OrdinaryHighWaterMark),200432SouthDakotaWildlifeFed’nv.WaterMgmt.Bd.,382N.W.2d26,27(S.D.1986).33Slausonv.GoodrichTransp.Co.,69N.W.990,992(Wis.1897).34N.D.A.G.2004-L-33.

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declinedtospecifytherightsofriparianlandownersandthestate:

Theshorezonepresentsacomplexbundleofcorrelative,andsometimesconflicting,rightsandclaimswhicharebettersuitedfordeterminationastheyarise.Anyprecisedelineationofparties’rightsinthissituationwouldbeadvisory.35

TheCourtdid,however,citeaMinnesotaSupremeCourtdecisionwhereinthatCourtexplained:

Whilethetitleofariparianownerinnavigableorpublicwatersextendstoordinarylow-watermark,histitleisnotabsoluteexcepttoordinaryhigh-watermark.Astotheinterveningspacehistitleislimitedorqualifiedbytherightofthepublictousethesameforthepurposeofnavigationorotherpublicpurpose.Thestatemayuseitforanysuchpublicpurpose,andtothatendmayreclaimitduringperiodsoflowwater,andprotectitfromanyuse,evenbytheriparianowner,thatwouldinterferewithitspresentorprospectivepublicuse,withoutcompensation.Restrictedonlybythatparamountpublicrighttheriparianownerenjoysproprietaryprivileges,amongwhichistherighttousethelandforprivatepurposes.36

Thus,neitherthestatenortheriparianlandownerhasabsolutetitletotheshore-zone,althoughtheriparianlandownercanusethislandforprivatepurposesaslongastheusedoesnotinterferewithoradverselyaffectthepublic’suseorinterestinthezone.

35Stateexrel.Sprynczynatykv.Mills,523N.W.2d537,544(1994).36Id.at543-44(quotingStatev.Korrer,148N.W.617(Minn.1914)).

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Inmanaging,operating,andsupervisingNorthDakota’ssovereignland,theOfficeoftheStateEngineerisguidedprimarilybyN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01.However,inordertoachievethestate’ssovereignlandmanagementgoalcontainedinthisplanandtoaddressmorecontemporaryissuesthathaveevolvedinrecentyears,severalrecommendationsandactionstrategiesweredeveloped.

TheSovereignLandManagementPlanrecommendationsandcorrespondingactionstrategieslistedbelowweredevelopedinconsiderationofcommentsfromallofthestateagenciesinvolvedinthesovereignlandtechnicalworkgroup.Considerationswerealsomadeafterreceivinginputfromotherlocalandregionalentities,aswellasthegeneralpublic.

Itshouldbenotedthatthefollowingrecommendationsandactionstrategiesarejustthat—recommendations.ActualchangesoradditionstostateCenturyCodeorAdministrativeRules,asaresultofthisplanningprocess,maydifferfromwhatisrecommended.Anyadditionsormodificationstostatestatutesandruleswillbeconductedthroughestablishedlegalprotocol.

SovereignLandManagementPlanRecommendationsandActionStrategies

Recommendation1:Thedefinitionof“navigablestreamsorwaters”inN.D.A.C.§89-10-01-03containsinconsistenciesandshouldbeupdatedtoconsiderfederalstandards.

• ActionStrategy1.1:Itisproposedthatthedefinitionof“navigablestreamsorwaters”inN.D.A.C.§89-10-01-03beamendedtoconsiderfederalstandardsandtoreadasfollows:

“Navigablestreamsorwaters”meansanywaterswhichwereinfactnavigableattimeofstatehood,includingtheMissouriRiverinitsentirety,theYellowstoneRiverinitsentirety,theRedRiverofthenorthfromWahpetontotheCanadianborder,theBoisDeSiouxRiverfromWahpetontotheSouthDakotaborder,theJamesRiver,theUpperDesLacsLake,andDevilsLakethatis,wereusedorweresusceptibleofbeingusedintheirordinaryconditionashighwaysforcommerceoverwhichtradeandtravelwereormayhavebeenconductedinthecustomarymodesoftradeonwater.

Recommendation2:AnyauthorizationbytheOfficeoftheStateEngineerforactivitiesimpactingsovereignlandshouldbeconditionalandrevocableiftheactionisinthebestinterestofthepublictrust.

Plan Strategies and Recommendations

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•ActionStrategy2.1:N.D.A.C.§89-10-01-14shouldbeamendedtoincludelanguagespecifyingthatallauthorizationsareconditionalandrevocableifnewinformationorcircumstancesdeemthattheactionisinthebestinterestofthepublictrust.Theactionsshouldnotberestrictedtoincidenceofgranteenon-compliancewiththeoriginalconditionsoftheauthorization.

Recommendation3:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineershouldconsidertheimpactsofactionsonsovereignlandtoculturalandhistoricresourcesbeforegrantingormodifyingpermits.

• ActionStrategy3.1:ThoughtheStateHistoricalSocietyisincludedinthelistofagenciesconsultedforsovereignlandpermitapplicationreviewsunderN.D.A.C§89-10-01-06,culturalandhistoricalresourcesarenotincludedinthelistof“generalpermitstandards”inN.D.A.C.§89-10-01-08.Therefore,N.D.A.C§89-10-01-08shouldbeamendedtoincludeculturalandhistoricresources.

Recommendation4:Thestate’sannuallyupdatedSection303(d)listofwaterquality-limitedwatersshouldbeanimportantconsiderationinthereviewofanysovereignlandpermitapplication.Section303(d)ofthefederalCleanWaterActanditsaccompanyingregulations(CFRPart130Section7)requireeachstatetolistwaterbodies(i.e.,lakes,reservoirs,rivers,streams,andwetlands)thatareconsideredwaterquality-limitedandrequireloadallocations,wasteloadallocations,andTotalMaximumDailyLoads(TMDLs).Thislisthasbecomeknownasthe“TMDLlist”or“Section303(d)list.”

• ActionStrategy4.1:SincetheStateDepartmentofHealthisincludedinthelistofagenciesconsultedforsovereignlandpermitapplicationreviewsunderN.D.A.C§89-10-01-06,itisexpectedthattheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwouldbemadeawareofthesignificanceofanyactiononthestate’sSection303(d)listedwaters.However,theOfficeoftheStateEngineershouldkeepacopyofthemostrecentSection303(d)listforreference.

Recommendation5:ItisrecommendedthatasubcommitteeofthesovereignlandworkgroupcontinuetoworkonthedevelopmentofmorespecificstandardsorguidelinesforwatermarkdelineationsinNorthDakota.

• ActionStrategy5.1:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwillretainanenvironmentalservicesconsultingfirm,withexpertiseinhydrology,soils,andwetlandvegetationtoassistwiththedevelopmentofordinaryhighwatermarkdelineationguidelinesforNorthDakota.Technicalinputfromthesovereignlandplanningworkgroupagencieswillalsobesoughttoimprovetheeffectivenessoftheguidelines.

Recommendation6:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineershouldplayamoreactiveroleinregulatingandsupervisingtheuseofmotorvehiclesonthestate’ssovereignland.UnderN.D.A.C.§89-10-01-12,thepublichastherighttorecreateonsovereignlandsolongasthoseactivitiesare“nondestructive.”Inaddition,generalpermitstandardsunderN.D.A.C§89-10-01-08requiretheOfficeoftheStateEngineertoconsiderimpactsofactionsonriparianlandowners’rights,recreation,

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aesthetics,environment,erosion,fishandwildlife,waterquality,andalternativeuses.

• ActionStrategy6.1:N.D.A.C.§89-10-01-13shouldbeamendedasfollows:

Theuseofmotorizedvehiclesotherthanboatsonlandbelowtheordinaryhighwatermarkisauthorizedinconjunctionwiththeuseofnavigablewatersfortransportationorrecreation,orasreasonablynecessaryforactivitiesallowedpursuanttotheseruleswaterbodiesisprohibited,except:

1.Whenongovernment-establishedtrails;

2.WhenonsovereignlandareasadjacenttotheKimballBottomsoff-roadridingarea;

3.Whenonstate-designatedoff-roaduseareas,providedtheareaismanagedandsupervisedbyagovernmententity,thegovernmententityhasdevelopedamanagementplanfortheoff-roadareathatmustbesubmittedtotheStateEngineer,andthemanaginggovernmententityhasobtainedasovereignlandpermitforoff-roaduseinthedesignatedarea;

4.Tocrossastreambyuseofaford,bridge,culvert,orsimilarstructureprovidedthecrossingisinthemostdirectmannerpossible;

5.Tolaunchorloadaboat,canoe,orotherwatercraftinthemostdirectmannerpossible;

6.Toaccessandoperateonthefrozensurfacesofanynavigablewater,providedthecrossingofsovereignlandisinthemostdirectmannerpossible;

7.Toaccessprivatelandthathasnootherreasonableaccesspoint,providedthataccessacrosssovereignlandisinthemostdirectmannerpossible;

8.Bydisabledpersonswhopossessatotallyorpermanentlydisabledperson’sfishinglicenseorshootfromvehiclepermit;

9.Whenoperationisnecessaryaspartofapermittedactivityorproject;and

10.Bytheriparianownerortheriparianowner’slesseeintheshorezoneadjacenttotheriparianowner’sproperty.

Thissectiondoesnotauthorizeuseofpropertyabovetheordinaryhighwatermarkbutdoesauthorizetheuseoftrailsestablishedbyagovernmentagency,suchasthoseestablishedforsnowmobiles,whicharelocatedbelowtheordinaryhighwatermarkThissectiondoesnotauthorizeuseofpropertyabovetheordinaryhighwatermark.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.

Recommendation7:FortheOfficeoftheStateEngineertofulfillitsdutytomanage,operate,andsuperviseactivitiesonthestate’ssovereignland,amorevisiblepresence–particularlyregardingenforcementandgeneralcompliancecheckswillberequiredinthefuture.

• ActionStrategy7.1:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwillworktodevelopinterimcooperativeagreementswiththeGameandFishDepartmentandotherlawenforcementtoaddresssovereignland-relateddisputes,violations,andenforcement.

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• ActionStrategy7.2:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwillrequestfromtheGovernorandLegislativeAssemblyadditionalfundingandFTEstodealwiththeincreasingworkloadassociatedwithsovereignlanddelineations,navigabilitydeterminations,management,andenforcement.

Recommendation8:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineershouldbegintomakesovereignlanddelineationsinareasthatareunderhighdevelopmentorusepressure,andthatarecurrentlyinquestionastotheirownership.

• ActionStrategy8.1:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineer,incooperationwithotherstateagenciesandprofessionalconsultants,willbegintomakeordinaryhighwatermarkandsovereignlanddelineationsonanasneededbasis(particularlyintheBismarck-MandanareaalongtheMissouriRiverandneartheconfluenceoftheYellowstoneandMissouriRivers)topreventprivateencroachmentonsovereignland.

• ActionStrategy8.2:Iflarge-scaledelineationsaremade,theOfficeoftheStateEngineermayproducegeneralmapsofthoseareastobeusedaseducationaltoolsforlandowners,localgovernments,anddevelopers.

• ActionStrategy8.3:Wherepractical,andparticularlyinhigh-useorconflictareas,theOfficeoftheStateEngineermaymarkandmaintainsovereignlandboundaries.

Recommendation9:Aneducationalprogramshouldbedevelopedandadministeredtoinformthegeneralpublic,governmentagenciesandentities,anddevelopersaboutnewandexistingsovereignlandregulations,theconsequencesassociatedwithviolations,andthelocationofareascontainingsovereignland.

• ActionStrategy9.1:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwilldeveloppublicannouncements,magazinearticles,informationalbrochures,maps,andotherpublicationsassovereignlandmanagement-relatededucationaltools.Regionalseminarsmayalsobeconductedtoimproveawareness.

Recommendation10:Noestablishedpenaltiescurrentlyexisttodiscourageillegalprojectsoruse,ortheplacingofunpermittedobjectsonsovereignland.N.D.C.C.§61-03-21.3dealswiththeremoval,modification,ordestructionofdangersin,onthebedof,oradjacenttonavigablelakes.Sincethecurrentlanguageonlyappliestolakes,theStateEngineershouldpursueanamendmentthatwouldmakeN.D.C.C.§61-03-21.3applicabletoallnavigablewaters.

• ActionStrategy10.1:Abillwillbedevelopedforthe60thLegislativeAssemblytoamendN.D.C.C.§61-03-21.3soitappliestoallnavigablewaters,andanyillegalprojectsorobjectsthatoccuronthestate’ssovereignland.

Recommendation11:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineershouldplayamoreactiveroleinthepreventionandcontrolofnoxiousweedsonsovereignland.

• ActionStrategy11.1:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwillworkwiththeStateDepartmentofAgriculture,countyweedboards,andotherfederal,state,andlocalentitiestomonitor,inventory,andcontrolthespreadofnoxiousweedsandinvasivespeciesonthestate’ssovereignland.

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• ActionStrategy11.2:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwillworktosecureadditionalfundingtomonitorandcontrolnoxiousweedsandinvasivespeciesinfestationsonsovereignland.

Recommendation12:Thenumberofpeopleusingsovereignlandforsummerrecreationhasincreaseddramaticallyinrecentyears.Alongwithincreasedusehascomeincreasedincidenceoflittering.Inparticular,brokenglasscontainersthatgetmixedintothesoilarebecomingaserioushealthriskforrecreators.Thus,intheinterestofpublichealthandsafety,itisnecessaryfortheOfficeoftheStateEngineertoputcontrolsinplacethatspecificallyprohibitlittering,theabandonmentofproperty,andthepossessionofglasscontainersonsovereignland.

• ActionStrategy12.1:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatprohibitslittering,theabandonmentofproperty,andthepossessionofglasscontainersonsovereignland.Possessionofglasscontainersinsideofboatswillnotbesubjecttothisrule.Proposedlanguagemightread:

Thedisposalofrefuse,rubbish,bottles,cans,orotherwastematerialsisprohibitedexceptingarbagecontainerswhereprovided.Abandonmentofvehiclesorotherpersonalpropertyisprohibited.Holdingtanksofcampersorboatsmaynotbedumpedonsovereignland.Glasscontainersareprohibitedonsovereignland.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.

Recommendation13:Hunting,boating,fishingandtrappingareallactivitiesthathaveminimallong-termimpactsandcommonlyoccuronsovereignlandthroughoutthestate.However,languageisrequiredintheNorthDakotaAdministrativeCodetoallowforthemanagementandsupervisionoftheseactivitiesonsovereignland,sincenonecurrentlyexists.

• ActionStrategy13.1:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatspecificallyaddressespublicaccessanduse.Proposedlanguagemightread:

Allsovereignlandareasareopenforpublichunting,fishing,andtrapping,exceptasprovidedinotherrulesandregulationsorlaws,oraspostedatpublicentrypoints.PostingsovereignlandwithsignagebyanyoneotherthantheStateEngineerisprohibitedwithoutasovereignlandpermit.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.

(AlsoseeActionStrategy7.1)

• ActionStrategy13.2:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatspecificallyaddresseswatercraft.Proposedlanguagemightread:Watercraftmaynotbeleftunattendedonormooredtosovereignlandformorethantwenty-fourhoursexcept:1.Whenmooredtoprivatelyowneddocks;2.Whenmooredtoprivatepropertyabovetheordinaryhighwatermarkwitharope,chain,orothertypeofrestraintthatdoesnotcauseunreasonableinterferencewithnavigationorthepublic’suseoftheshorezone;or

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3.Byriparianlandownersintheshorezone.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.

Recommendation14:Specificrulesandregulationsregardingtheremovalanddestructionofnaturalresourcesoccurringonthestate’ssovereignlandarerequiredtoprotecttheintegrityofthesepublicareasforgenerationstocome.

• ActionStrategy14.1:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatprohibitsunpermittedactivitiesthatremoveordestroynaturalresourcesoccurringonthestate’ssovereignland.Specificlanguagemightread:

Trees,shrubs,vines,plants,soil,gravel,fill,rocks,fossils,sod,water,firewood,posts,poles,orotherpublicpropertymaynotberemovedfromsovereignlandwithoutapermitissuedbythestateengineer,exceptthatfirewoodmayberemovedundercertainstatedconditionsfromdesignatedfirewoodcuttingplots,andtheriparianlandownerortheirlesseemayhayorgrazelandintheshorezone.Commercialcuttingoffirewoodisprohibitedonallsovereignland.Gatheringofdownedwoodforcampfiresispermitted.Removalofpropertyfromsovereignlandbypermitshallonlybeinamanner,limit,andconditionspecifiedbythepermit.Berriesandfruitmaybepickedfornon-commercialuse,unlessprohibitedbypostednotice.Propertymaynotbedestroyedordefaced.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.


Recommendation15:Specificrulesandregulationsregardingtheremovalanddestructionofculturalresourcesoccurringonthestate’ssovereignlandarerequiredtoprotecttheintegrityoftheseresourcesforgenerationstocome.

• ActionStrategy15.1:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatprohibitstheunpermittedremovalordestructionofculturalresourcesoccurringonthestate’ssovereignland.Specificlanguagemightread:

Artifacts,oranyotherculturalorhistoricresourcesoccurringonsovereignlandmaynotbedestroyedorremovedwithoutformalwrittenapprovalfromthestatehistoricalsociety.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.

Recommendation16:LanguageisrequiredintheNorthDakotaAdministrativeCodetoallowforthemanagementandsupervisionofcampingonsovereignland,sincenonecurrentlyexists.

• ActionStrategy16.1:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatspecificallyaddressescampingonthestate’ssovereignland.Specificlanguagemightread:

Campingforlongerthantenconsecutivedaysinthesamevicinityorleavingatentorcamperunattendedformorethantwenty-fourhoursisprohibited

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onanystatesovereignlandarea.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.


Recommendation17:Intheinterestofpublichealthandsafety,themanagementandsupervisionoforganizedgroupactivitiesonthestate’ssovereignlandshouldbemorecloselymanagedinthefuture.

• ActionStrategy17.1:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatspecificallyaddressesorganizedgroupactivities.Specificlanguagemightread:

Organizedgroupactivitiesthatarepubliclyadvertisedorareattendedbymorethantwenty-fivepersonsareprohibitedwithoutapermitissuedbytheOfficeoftheStateEngineer.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.


Recommendation18:Sincetherearethousandsofriverandstreammilesandhundredsoflakesthroughoutthestatethathavenopriornavigabilitydeterminations,theOfficeoftheStateEngineershouldconsidermeansofdeterminingnavigabilitywhereappropriateintheinterestofthepublictrust.

• ActionStrategy18.1:TheOfficeoftheStateEngineerwilldevelopstandardsformakingnavigabilitydeterminations,usingthefederalstandardundertheEqualFootingDoctrineasafoundation.


Recommendation19:TheStateEngineerwilltakeamoreactiveroleinmanagingthepresenceofpetsatlargeonhigher-usesovereignlandareas,particularlyintheBismarck-MandancorridoroftheMissouriRiver.Inthefuture,additionalsovereignlandareasmaybeconsideredforrestrictionsonanasneededbasis.

•ActionStrategy19.1:LanguagewillbeaddedtoN.D.A.C.ch.89-10-01thatprohibitspetsatlargeinasix-milecorridoroftheMissouriRiverneartheBismarck-Mandanarea.Specificlanguagemightread:

PetsmaynotbepermittedtorununattendedonsovereignlandinandaroundtheMissouriRiverbetweentherailroadbridgenearthesouthborderofFortLincolnstatepark(approximatelyrivermilemarker1,310)andtheInterstate94bridge(approximatelyrivermilemarker1,315.4).PetsinthiscorridoroftheMissouriRivermustbeleashedbyarestraintofnomorethantenfeet.Apet’ssolidwastemustbedisposedofproperly.ApersonwhoviolatesthissectionisguiltyofaclassBmisdemeanorunlessalesserpenaltyisindicated.


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Animportantoutcomeofthisfirst-everNorthDakotaSovereignLandManagementPlanwastodevelopaproductthatcouldserveasafoundationforfutureplanningefforts.Assuch,thisplanisnotthefinalresultofaplanningprocess-rather,itismoreappropriatelyviewedasthefirststep.Aftertwoyears,theOfficeoftheStateEngineer,alongwiththesovereignlandplanningworkgroup,willreviewtheperformanceoftheoverallplan,therecommendations,andactionstrategies,andbegintheprocessofincorporatingmodificationsasnecessarytoimprovethedocumentforfutureusers.

Plan Evaluation

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Addendum

SincethecompletionoftheFinalDraftNorthDakotaSovereignLandManagementPlaninJanuary2007,severaladvancementshaveoccurredasaresultofvariousrecommendationsincludedinthePlan.SomeoftheadvancementsthatwillbereportedinthisaddendumrequiredthepassageofSenateBill2096(SB2096)duringthe60thLegislativeAssembly.OnApril26,2007,SB2096wassignedbyGovernor,JohnHoeven,andadaylater,itwassignedbySecretaryofState,AlJaeger.ItwillbecomeeffectiveAugust1,2007.

SB2096hadfourpurposes:1)toprovidetheGameandFishDepartmentwiththeauthoritytoenforcesovereignland-relatedrulesandregulationsonthestate’ssovereignlands;2)toallowtheStateEngineertoenterintoagreementswiththeNorthDakotaGameandFishDepartmentorotherlawenforcemententitiestoenforcesovereignland-relatedrulesandregulations;3)toprovidetheStateEngineerwiththeauthoritytomanagetheremoval,modification,ordestructionofdangersinthestate’snavigablewatersthathavebeendeterminedtobenavigablebyacourtoflaw;and4)toprovideapenaltyforviolationsofsovereignland-relatedrulesandregulations.

AsofMay2007,thefollowingprogresshadbeenmadeonPlanrecommendations:

•Recommendation5andActionStrategy5.1werecompletedinJanuary2007.TheOfficeoftheStateEngineercontractedwithanenvironmentalservicesconsultingfirmtodevelopOrdinaryHighWaterMarkDelineationGuidelinesforNorthDakota.TheguidelinesareavailableontheStateEngineerandWaterCommission’swebsiteatwww.swc.nd.govunder“ReportsandPublications.”

•ProgresstowardthecompletionofRecommendation7andActionStrategy7.1occurredwiththepassageofSB2096.WhenSB2096becomeseffectiveAugust1,2007,cooperativeagreementswillbesignedwiththeGameandFishDepartmenttoprovidelawenforcementonthestate’ssovereignlands.

•ImplementationofRecommendation8andActionStrategies8.1,8.2,and8.3arewellunderway.InApril2007,theOfficeoftheStateEngineerrequestedproposalsforthecompletionofordinaryhighwatermarkdelineationsneartheconfluenceoftheMissouriandYellowstoneRivers,andalongtheMissouriRivernorthofBismarck.

•Recommendation10andActionStrategy10.1werecompletedwiththepassageofSB2096.OnAugust1,2007,theStateEngineerwillhavetheauthoritytomanagetheremoval,modification,ordestructionofdangersinallofthestate’snavigablewaters.

AsthePlancontinuestobeimplementedinthefuture,progresswillbetracked,andupdatedinformationwillbeprovidedontheStateEngineerandWaterCommission’swebsiteatww.swc.nd.gov,under“SpecialProjects.”

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