Many of this country's most glorious beaches, lakes, rivers and waterways are encircled or lined by private homes. These homeowners, through no deliberate fault of their own (though many of them lobby strenuously to preserve their private playgrounds) have cordoned off natural resources that are publicly managed and owned and by right belong to all of us.
Every such resource should allow fair public access consistent with the size of the resource. Consideration and care should be given for the rights of existing landowners, but this petition urges the purchase of private land or the exercise of eminent domain if necessary to provide such access, including where feasible such things as docks, boat ramps, and protected swimming and fishing areas.