Sec. 5. (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.]
As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.19.
Structure Indiana Code
Title 14. Natural and Cultural Resources
Article 26. Lakes and Reservoirs
14-26-2-1. Applicability of Chapter
14-26-2-2. "Natural Resources"
14-26-2-3. "Public Freshwater Lake"
14-26-2-4. "Shoreline or Water Line"
14-26-2-7. Construction of Ditches or Dams So as to Lower Water Level Prohibited
14-26-2-10. Notice and Hearing
14-26-2-12. Permit to Construct Channels
14-26-2-13. Sewage Disposal Facilities for Housing Developments
14-26-2-14. Applicability to Private Cooling or Pollution Control Ponds
14-26-2-14.5. Determination of Public Use of a Lake
14-26-2-15. Applicability to Tippecanoe River Impoundments
14-26-2-16. Applicability to Water Supply Reservoirs
14-26-2-17. Expiration of Permit
14-26-2-18. Posting and Keeping of Permit
14-26-2-19. Remedies for Violations
14-26-2-20. Department May Bring Action for Damages
14-26-2-22. Additional Civil Penalties
14-26-2-23. Prohibited Activities; Permit; Applications; Fees; Rules; Mediation; Civil Enforcement