A recent judgment over rights to shared park land on Howell’s Lake Chemung may change the way of life for not only Glen Echo subdivision residents but all lake goers and property owners throughout the state.
It has been ruled that this park — deeded without differentiation to all property owners in the subdivision — will now become a land of two classes: “front lot” and “back lot” owners. Should the filed appeal from the “back lot owners” fall on deaf ears, “front lot owners” — many whose property does NOT abut the waters edge — will be granted riparian rights, and privileged ownership of the land that has been shared without distinction to proximity for over 100 years!
Aside from the obviously devastating impact this would have on the property values and way of life for Glen Echo residents, this case could set precedence for “TITLE waves” across the state. While, of course, those with deeded rights to shared land on our lake fronts would face the greatest impact, all lake goers may drown in the wake of this ruling. With docks being removed, launch lots will overflow and access to the water will dry up for visitors and those who are not ruled privileged.
Nate Pressotto of Howell is a resident of the Glen Echo subdivision.
If you’d like to reach out with questions about this issue, you can email Glenechosub@gmail.com, or you can ask to join the Glen Echo Subdivision and Lake Chemung Facebook page.
