Ohio courts says Lake Erie public to natural shore

COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that beachcombers can legally walk from the water to the “natural shoreline” along properties bordering Lake Erie.

Today's ruling comes in a case pitting thousands of lakefront property owners against the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which establishes public access rules.

In a 7-0 decision, the court reversed an appellate ruling that said property owners’ rights extend to the point the shore and water meet on any given day.

The high court also rejected state arguments that public access should extend to a high water mark established in 1985.

Justices define the natural shoreline as “the line at which the water usually stands when free from disturbing causes.”

It says its ruling reaffirms decisions dating to 1878 and state law enacted in 1917.