Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

Who owns land uncovered by reliction?

1. Public of the state

2. Federal government

3. Riparian or littoral owner

4. U.S. Department of the Interior

The correct answer is: Riparian or littoral owner

The correct answer pertains to the principle of reliction, which refers to the gradual and imperceptible uncovering of land that was previously covered by water, typically due to natural processes such as a reduction in the water level. In cases of reliction, the ownership of the newly exposed land is generally attributed to the riparian or littoral owner of the adjacent land. A riparian owner is an individual or entity that owns land bordering a body of water, such as a river or lake. When the water level decreases and land becomes uncovered, it becomes part of their property. This principle stems from property law and is grounded in the fundamental concepts of land ownership and rights associated with it. The rationale is that the owner of the land adjacent to water should have rights to the land that is revealed as the water recedes, preserving their property rights and the natural connection to the body of water. This principle contrasts with other options provided, such as ownership by the public, federal government, or specific departments like the U.S. Department of the Interior, which do not typically apply in situations of reliction. The rights to the newly exposed land remain with the riparian or littoral owner, emphasizing the continuity of ownership as natural conditions change.