Indiana Court Sides with Citizens

Alliance for the Great Lakes, Save the Dunes, and the State of Indiana’s Long Beach Community Alliance prevailed in litigation to uphold the public’s right to recreate on the Indiana portion of Lake Michigan. Two lawsuits were brought by beachfront residents of Long Beach, Indiana, who claimed that they owned the beach below their properties down to the edge of Lake Michigan. The Alliance for the Great Lakes and Save the Dunes joined the lawsuits as intervening parties in order to protect members’ rights to enjoy recreational activities. In July, Superior Court Judge Richard Stalbrink ruled in the public’s favor. In his decision, Judge Stalbrink concluded that the State of Indiana has title to the shores of Lake Michigan below the ordinary high-water mark and holds the property in trust for the public’s protected uses. Read more HERE.