"July 1, 1971." "NWC-L-71-022." NTIS: PB 205247. "Final Report (Review Draft)" Reproduced by National Technical Information Service. Includes bibliographical references.

Summary -- The problem -- Basic concepts of ownership -- The submerged lands act -- Problems of erosion, reliction and accretion -- Ownership doctrines in the various states -- Evaluation and recommendations -- Summary of recommendations -- Notes -- Appendix A. This report surveys the historical development of legal doctrines which recognize rights of public access and use of waters for navigation and fishing and how such rights presently include general recreational use of waters and shorelands. The legal concept of navigability of waters is an important criterion for public use, but many states have found additional legal machinery for enhancing such public rights. This report discusses a number of alternative ways in which the states protect or enhance public rights in waters and shorelands, and several of those alternatives are selected as recommendations for further state action.