Determining if boat ramp is for public use??? (2 PHOTOS)

[GREENTRITON]

I drove by the ramp last week, they had a post that said resort guest only? Just want to know before I use it.. Thanks..

[Champ188]

I'd say if Johnny can charge $5 to launch at "his" Long Creek ramp, then it's possible that not all ramps have to be open to the public or by donation only.

 

[usa made outdoors]

1 hour ago, Hunter53 said:

Would the Schooner Creek ramp be a public ramp then?  We stayed in a house right by the ramp and the resort people said we could not use the ramp. Even said we would be willing to pay them and park the truck/trailer at the house so we would not take up any of their parking. They said they could not do that because the COE said if they let one person who was not staying at their resort use the ramp then they would have to let everyone. Sounded like BS but didn't argue because we had no idea the rules for sure.

They acted like they owned the ramp.  Off to call the COE.

Edit: had to leave a message so waiting on a call back.

Hunter53 I'm not sure I just know what the COE told my folks..  If someone tried using the rice camp ramp and didnt know any better they would have let those people run them off because it sounds convincing.  The guy that tried to run me off started off pretty aggressive yelling and threatening me with calling the sheriff but once I called his bluff on his false threats he quickly changed tune and started backtracking and more less admitted that it is public but they pay for the upkeep and are trying to limit its use.  And whats funny is we usually fish their little bass derby they put on every spring.

[dtrs5kprs]

2 hours ago, wareaglecamo said:

dtrs5kprs . . . hmmmmmm?? . . . elaborate a little??

Bo nailed it, I think. If it is below the take line, and not in some way grandfathered, specifically owned, or covered under the regs about marinas (which I think is part of the Schooner deal, due to their proximity to POK, etc.-could be the same at the Inn) it is, or should be public. Plus the parking. Lot owners don't own ground below the take line, unless I have been misinformed for years.

Now, if COE comes out and puts a big old seal of approval on that, it is likely to cause nightmares up and down the lake. Parking might also be a mess, because it is hard to imagine that there is not some obscure regulation about parking a motor vehicle below the line. 

Because of all the ins and outs of the marina concessions, a group shouldn't be charging anything unless they are far enough removed from a marina. I've heard distances from folks, but won't quote them. Am sure COE can fill that part in if you call them.

Lots of locals use the Inn. Sometimes they are prickly, sometimes not. Am sure it depends on the situation. Although, it quite possibly should not.

[Hunter53]

Just got the call back from the COE. This is what I was told.

Resorts pay a lease so they can restrict access.

Other ramps: if there is a public road to them then they are public. He did say there are places where the people try to make it sound like it is not public when in fact it is. 

When I asked about parking is where there is a big gray area. I was told that the COE owned distance from the water varies so much that a person would have to call and ask about a specific ramp to know about legal parking at that ramp. The number to call and ask is 501-340-1935.

[dtrs5kprs]

28 minutes ago, Hunter53 said:

Just got the call back from the COE. This is what I was told.

Resorts pay a lease so they can restrict access.

Other ramps: if there is a public road to them then they are public. He did say there are places where the people try to make it sound like it is not public when in fact it is. 

When I asked about parking is where there is a big gray area. I was told that the COE owned distance from the water varies so much that a person would have to call and ask about a specific ramp to know about legal parking at that ramp. The number to call and ask is 501-340-1935.

Way to go Mike Hammer.

[dtrs5kprs]

And that would be the obscure part about the parking as well. 

[m&m]

The Stone County Assessor's Office web page has a county map.  You can click on it and through a series of clicks you can add layers to the map that shows the owner and boundaries of all pieces of property in Stone County.  The map reflects the shoreline of the lake and the part owned by USA.  I believe Hunter53 is correct about the leasing that allows the restricted access.

[MOPanfisher]

There are some differences in the legalities of what is allowed for leases (marinas and resorts) and licenses (most subdivisions and similar), however I could only tell you for sure how it would work at Pomme.  If you have a question on the public-ness of a ramp by all means contact the COE, their information and assistance is part of what you pay taxes for.   Often the ones that are required to be open to the public try to bluff folks to keep outsiders from using the ramp. 

[wareaglecamo]

Hunter53, dtrs5kprs, m&m . . . thanks for your efforts, research, information and insight . . . for me, you have removed a lot of the mystery