GLS 592: Ocean and Coastal Law
Instructor: Jason Harris
Who owns the seas? Who owns the rivers, lakes, streams, reservoirs? Who owns the underground surfaces? Who and under what conditions may we lawfully navigate upon, access, bathe in, or pollute these waters?
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the various legal issue associated with living in a coastal community.
Ocean and Coastal Law will introduce students to these types of issue by examining international and domestic laws, public policy, and case interpretation relating to the sea and its borders.
Local topics of interest (such as the various inlet relocation and erosion prevention efforts) will be examined when applicable. Notable guest speakers and tours of relevant local facilities and sites (such as the Port of Wilmington) are likely.
The regulatory framework and applicable case law will provide the beacons by which we will navigate the following topics: private littoral and riparian rights, the public trust doctrine, rights associated with accessing the water, the navigational servitude, taking private land for public use, protecting water quality and preventing marine pollution.
Last Update: March 18, 2009
