Upload
phamcong
View
214
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
10/31/17
1
NewYorkCanalLawTheLawOfficeofLauraE.Ayers,Esq.
223ChurchStreetFultonville,NY12072
(518)[email protected]
HistoryandBackground:ColonialEffortsforInlandNav inNY• 1724Cadwalladar Colden,SurveyorGeneraltotheGovernorofthecolonyofNewYorksenttomakeareportonWesternNY• Hisreportvis-a-vis furtrading:• theMohawkRiverwassuperiortotheSt.LawrenceRiverforinlandnavigationevenwiththeshortportagesnecessarytoreachLakeOntarioandLakeErie.
• 1768Gov.MooreofColonialNYproposedtoimproveinlandnavigationà politicalinfightingcrushedtheidea
HistoryandBackground:EarlyEffortsforaNYCanal• In1777Gouverneur Morriswasnotedfor“talking”aboutcanalsbeingbuilttoimprovecommunicationsandnavigationacrossNYS
10/31/17
2
HistoryandBackground:NYEarlyEfforts
• Legislationin1791leadtothecreationof:• WesternInlandLockNavigationCompany• TodeveloptherouteuptheMohawktoLakeOntarioandpossiblytotheFingerLakes
• NorthernInlandLockNavigationCompany• TodevelopapassagefromtheHudsontoLakeChamplainandVermont
Theirpurposewastoimprovethenavigabilityoftheriversandonlyuselockstoby-passrapids
HistoryandBackground:EarlyNYEfforts
• PhillipSchuylerwasappointedpresidentofbothCompanies• Performedtheengineeringhimselfb/c civilengineeringwasanon-existentprofessionintheUS• NavigationontheMohawkbeganinSchenectady• WILNCo.built5locksaroundLittleFalls(onthenorthshore)• Andbuilt2milesofcanalconnectingtheMohawkandWoodCreek
HistoryandBackground:AuthorizationfortheCanal• InMarchof1810JonasPlatt,StateSenatorandJamesEddyoftheWILNCo.presentedtheLegislaturewithaproposalthatCanalCommissionersbeappointed
JonasPlatt
10/31/17
3
HistoryandBackground:AuthorizationfortheCanal• TheFirstCanalCommissionincluded:• Gouverneur Morris• StephenVanRensselaer• JamesGeddes,LS,• BenjaminWright,LS,• JonasPlatt,• ThomasEddy• DeWittClinton
• WentonanExpeditioninJuneof1810
StephenVanRensselaer
GovernorDeWittClinton
1790-- ColumbiaUniversitygraduate,lawyer
1790-1795-- Privatesecretarytohisuncle,GeorgeClinton
1797-1798-- NewYorkAssembly
1798-1802-- NewYorkSenate
1802-1803-- UnitedStatesSenate
1803-1815-- MayorofNewYorkCity:Asmayor,Clintonalsoheldofficeasstatesenator(1806-1811)andlieutenantgovernor(1811-1813).
1817-1823-- GovernorofNewYorkState
1810-1824-- NewYorkCanalCommissioner
1825-1828-- GovernorofNewYorkState
1812-- NarrowlylosttheraceforPresidentoftheUnitedStatestoJamesMadison.
HistoryandBackground:AuthorizationfortheCanal• InAprilof1811theCommissionersprovidedtheirreporttotheLegislature• FavoringtheinlandrouteduetofearsthattheSt.LawrenceseawayandthustheFrenchwouldbenefitfromtheCanalmorethanNewYorkers• Alsosupportedanentirelyartificialwaterway• TheLegislaturebeganpassingbillsrelativetothecanal• Appropriating$15,000tofinancetheBd ofCommish.• AddingRobertFulton&RobertLivingstonasCommish.
10/31/17
4
HistoryandBackground:AuthorizationfortheCanal• Warof1812highlightedtheneedforbettertransportation• 1815JonasPlattandThomasEddywithMayorDeWittClinton’shelpbeganpushingthecanalagain• Gainedpublicsupport• LegislatureinFebof1816appropriated$20,000forsurveysevenasitdelayedconstruction• Appointed5newcommissioners(Clinton,VanRensselaer,Ellicot,Holley,Young)• Financingof$6millionwasneeded(theactualcostwas$7million,veryclosetotheestimate)
HistoryandBackground:AuthorizationfortheCanal• TheGreatWesternCanalwasdividedinto3sectionscovering363miles• WesternsegmentfromLakeErietotheSenecaRiver• MiddlesegmentfromSenecaRivertoRome• EasternSectionfromRometoAlbany
HistoryandBackground:AuthorizationfortheCanal• Chapter262oftheLawsof1817PassedApril15,1817• Entitled:“AnActrespectingnavigablecommunicationsbetweenthegreatwesternandnorthernlakes,andtheAtlanticocean.”• Preamble:“WHEREASnavigablecommunicationsbetweenlakesErieandChamplain,andtheAtlanticocean,bymeansofcanalsconnectedwiththeHudsonriver,willpromoteagriculture,manufacturesandcommerce,mitigatethecalamitiesofwarandenhancetheblessingofpeace,consolidatetheunion,andadvancetheprosperityandelevatethecharacteroftheUnitedStates.”
10/31/17
5
HistoryandBackground:AuthorizationfortheCanal• ConstructionbeganonJuly4,1817inRome,NY• JamesGeddeswasappointedsurveyor/engineerofthewesternportion• BenjaminWrightwasappointedtothemiddlesection• CharlesBroadhead wasappointedtotheeasternsection
BenjaminWright
HistoryandBackground:SummaryoftheCanal
• 363Mileslong,40feetwide,4feetdeep• Completedin1825• WeddingoftheWaters• StartedonthePacketBoatSenecaChiefonOct26,1825inBuffalo,NY• ArrivedatNYConNov.4• TheSenecaChiefReturnedtoBuffaloonNov.23
HistoryandBackground:Summary
• within15yearsNYbecamethebiggestportintheCountrymovinggreatertonnagesthanBoston,BaltimoreandNewOrleanscombined.• Everymajorcityinthestate,exceptBinghamtonandElmirafallsalongthetraderouteofthecanal• 80%ofthepopulationofupstateNYstillliveswithin25milesofthecanalpath• TheCanalwasenlargedseveraltimesin1835,1895and1903• Between1905and1918newtechniqueswereusedto“canalize”theriversandlakesthattheoriginalmanmadecanalhadbeenbuilttoavoid.àBarge Canal
10/31/17
6
AcquisitionMethodsUsed
HistoryandBackground
VoluntaryCessationorGrant
• CanalCommissionerswere• “Empoweredtomakeapplicationinbehalfofthisstate….totheproprietorsofthelandthroughwhichsuchnavigationmaybecarriedforcessionsorgrantstothepeopleofthisstate,tobereceivedbysaidcommissionersintheirdiscretion…”• Chap.188Lawsof1811Section3• Chap231oftheLawsof1812Section2
VoluntaryCessation,GrantorDonationofLandormoney• “Saidcommissioners…areherebyauthorised (sic)andrequiredtomakeapplicationinbehalfofthisstate…totheproprietorsofoflandsthroughornearwhichthesaidcanalsoreitherofthemmayormaybeproposedtopass,toallbodiespoliticandcorporate,publicorprivateandallcitizensorinhabitantsofthisoranyotherstateoftheUnitedStatesforcessions,grants,donationsoflandormoneyforthepurposeofaidingintheconstructionorcompletionofbothoreitherofthesaidcanals,accordingtotheseveralgrantorsordonorsandtotaketothepeopleofthisstatesuchgrantsandconveyancesasmaybeproperandcompetenttovestagoodandsufficienttitleinthesaidpeopletothelandssotobecededorgrantedaforesaidforthepurposesabovementioned.”• Chapter237oftheLawsof1816Section4
10/31/17
7
VoluntaryCessation,GrantorDonationofLand• Between1816and1821inclusive,approximately200grantsofdonationsofprivateland(knownas“cessions”)weremadetothestateforcanalpurposes
GuardLockforOriginalCanalattheSchoharieCrossing
VoluntaryCessation,GrantorDonationofLand
Issues:§ Descriptionsusedinthecessionsareoftenverygeneralwithoutclearindicationgiven
astotheactualextentofthegrant§ WouldtitlereverttotheoriginalowneroflandscededtotheStatebutneverusedfor
canalpurposes?(waterprivilegesrevertedinsomeinstancesofcanalabandonment)§ VoluntaryGrantswereneverrecordedinthevariousCountyClerk'sofficeswherethe
landssograntedwerelocated§ Unlessanexceptionorotherreferenceismadeinasubsequentconveyancebythe
samegrantor,onewillnotfindrecordofagranttothestateforcanalpurposes.(Rexfordv.Knight)
Chapter262oftheLawsof1817EnablingLegislationforCanal• InSectionIIItheCanalCommissionerswereauthorizedto:• “…bythemselvesandbyanyandeverysuperintendent,agentorengineeremployedbythem,toenterupon,takepossessionof,anduseallandsingularanylands,watersandstreamsnecessaryfortheprosecutionoftheimprovementsintendedbythisact…”
10/31/17
8
OriginalCanalLock#20VanAlstein v.Belden,41AD123(4thDept1899)
• “Theiripsedixitseemedallthatwasessential.”• DescribingthepowersoftheCanalCommissionersrelatingtotheaccessionoflandsforcanalpurposes
Chapter262oftheLawsof1817
Chapter262oftheLawsof1817
• SectionIIIfurtherstates:• “…anditshallbethedutyof…appraisers…tomakeajustandequitableestimateoftheappraisalofthelossanddamage,ifany,overandabovethebenefitandadvantagetotherespectiveownersandproprietorsorpartiesinterestedinthepremises,sorequiredforthepurposesaforesaid,byandinconsequenceofmakingandconstructinganyoftheworksaforesaid…• Oftenthebenefitwasdeemedtooutweighthedamagesandnocompensationwaspaid
Chapter262oftheLawsof1817
• SectionIIIfurtherstates:• “…andthecanalcommissionersshallpaythedamagestobesoassessedandappraisedandthefeesimpleofthepremisessoappropriatedshallbevestedinthepeopleofthisstate.”
FortHunter,NY
10/31/17
9
Chapter262oftheLawsof1817
• “…madenoprovisionastothemannerinwhichpossessionshouldbetakenortitleacquired.”• VanAlstein v.Belden,41AD123(4th Dept.1899)
Chapter262oftheLawsof1817
• Rogersv.Bradshaw,20Johns,735(1823)• InterpretsChapter262oftheLawsof1817• Issue:CanalemployeeshadcuttimberandrelocatedtheWaterfordandWhitehallturnpikeroadduringimprovementstotheNorthernCanal• TheSupremeCourtheldthatrelocatingaroadwasnotacanalimprovementthereforetheactionsoftheCanalemployeeswerenotexcusedbytheactof1817.
Rogersv.BradshawonChap.262oftheLawsof1817• TheChancellordisagreedwiththeSupremeCourt:• “Surely,astatute,vestinglargepowers restingverymuchfortheirexerciseintheundefineddiscretionandcheckedonlybythegentleadmonitionofdoing“nounnecessarydamage”oughttobeconstruedmorebenignlyandmoreliberally.Especiallyoughtthistobethecasewhenthepowersaretobeappliedtoagreatpublicobject,calculatedtointimidatebyitsnovelty,itsexpenseanditsmagnitude,andwhichdepended,forallitssuccessfulresults,upondecisionofcharacteraswellasuponmaturityofjudgment.”
10/31/17
10
Chapter262oftheLawsof1817
• SectionIVstates:• “Thatwhenever,intheopinionofthecanalcommissioners,itshallbefortheinterestofthisstate,fortheprosecutionoftheworkscontemplatedbythisact,thatalltheinterestandtitle(ifany)inlawandequity,oftheWesterninlandlocknavigationcompany,shouldbevestedinthepeopleofthisstate,…”• Whatinterestandtitle(ifany)didtheWILNCo.have?àChapter 49oftheLawsof1793
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article1• Section16:• “Intheconstructionofeverycanalcommissionersshallhavethepoweranditshallbetheirdutytomakeallsuchcanals,feeders,locks,damsaqueductsandotherworksastheyshalldeemtheproperconstructionofsuchcanaltorequire’andtheyshallenteron,andtakepossessionofandusealllands,streamsandwatersofwhichtheappropriationfortheuseofsuchcanalsandworksshallintheirjudgmentbenecessary.”
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article3• Section48àStatuteofLimitationstoclaimdamages• “Everypersoninterestedinpremisessoappropriated,ifheintendtomakeaclaimfordamages,shall,withinoneyearaftersuchpremisesshallhavebeentakenfortheuseofthestate,exhibittotheappraisersastatementofhisclaim,signedbyhimself….andspecifyingthenatureandextentofhisinterestinthepremisesappropriatedandtheamountofdamages;andeverypersonrefusingorneglectingtoexhibitsuchclaim,withinthetimeprescribed,shallbedeemedtohavesurrenderedtothestatehisinterestinthepremisessoappropriated.”
10/31/17
11
CanalBoardDigests
• DigestofClaimsandtheactionthereonbytheLegislatureandtheCanalBoard• WithawardsmadebytheBoardofCanalAppraisers• 1818-1858• 1858,1859,1860• 1860-1865• 1866-1870
• NewYorkStateLibrary
LegislativeAction
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article3• Section50• “Aregularentryofeverydeterminationandappraisementmadebytheappraisers,certifiedandsignedbytheappraisersmakingit,andcontaininganaptandsufficientdescriptionofthepremisessoappropriated,thenamesofthepersonsinterested,andthesumsestimatedtoeachforbenefitsanddamages,shallbemadeinabookkeptforthatpurpose,bythecanalcommissioners.”
10/31/17
12
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article3• Section51• “Atranscriptifeverysuchentry,signedinlikemanner,andacknowledgedorprovedasaconveyanceoflands,shallberecordedintheclerk’sofficeofeachcountyinwhichthepremisesappropriatedshall,inwholeorinpart,besituated.”
EnlargedCanal:EmpireLock,FortHunter,NY
RevisedStatute(1827)Chapter9Title9Article3
• Section52• “Thefeesimpleofallpremisessoappropriated,inrelationtowhich,suchestimateandappraisementshallhavebeenmadeandrecorded,shallbevestedinthepeopleofthisstate.”
EnlargedCanal:EmpireLock#29(1835)
DoubleLocks,firstEnlargementoftheCanalc.1830-1860
10/31/17
13
AcquisitionsundertheModernCanalLaw
• CanalLawArticle5:AcquisitionofPropertyfortheCanalSystem• § 40.Acquisitionofproperty• 1.Theacquisitionofpropertynecessaryforpurposesoftheimprovement,use,maintenance,control,managementorrepairofthecanalsystem,shallbepursuanttotheprovisionsoftheeminentdomainprocedurelaw bythecorporationorbythecommissioneroftransportationattherequestofthecorporation.
AcquisitionsundertheModernCanalLaw
• CanalLaw§40(14)• Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthissection,thecorporationorthecommissioneroftransportationattherequestofthecorporationshallhavethepowertoacquirebygrantorpurchase,inthenameofthepeopleofthestateofNewYork,anypropertywhichheorthecorporationdeemsnecessaryforanyofthepurposesprovidedforinthissection,andpaymenttherefor,ifany,shallbemadeinthemannerprescribedinthissectionforthepaymentofadjustedappropriationclaims,provided,however,thatnorealpropertyshallbesoacquiredunlessthetitletheretoshallbeapprovedbytheattorneygeneral.
CanalMaps
10/31/17
14
Chapter9oftheLawsof1825
• AnActforreprintingtheLawsandotherOfficialDocumentsrelatingtotheErieandChamplainCanals• SectionII• “Anditbefurtherenacted,Thatitshallbelawfulforthejointcommitteeoncanals,onbeingfurnishedbythecanalcommissionerswithcorrectmaps(delineatingtheroutesoftheErieandChamplaincanalsanddesignatingthelandsthroughwhichtheypasswhetherbelongingtoorconveyedbyindividualstothestate,orwhichdamageshavebeenoraretoappraised)todirectthesecretaryofthestatetoprocurethesametobeengraved.”
Chapter9oftheLawsof1825
• SectionIVrequiredcopiestobeprovidedto:
• TheGovernor• TheLt.Governor• TheClerkofeveryCounty• TheSenate• TheAssembly• TheStateLibrary• Restofthecopiestobedistributedtothecommissionersofthecanalfundtobedistributedastheydeemedproper
GeddesMapsof1817
• DescriptionfromtheStateArchives:• ThismapandprofileininkandwatercoloroftheproposedroutefortheErieCanalwasmadebyJamesGeddesin1817.Geddeswasappointedengineerinchargeofthesurveybythecommissionersappointedunderlegislationof1816(Chapter237).Hewasinstructedtosurveyandmaparouteforthecanalwhich,westoftheGeneseeRiver,wassomewhattothenorthoftheroutehehadsurveyedin1808.• Onascaleof10chains=1inch,themapshowsproposedlineofthecanal(ingreen);roads;houses;mills;settlements;streams,ponds,andlakes;steepterrain;swampsandmarshes;townandlotlines;andotherfeaturesadjacenttothecanalroute.
10/31/17
15
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article1• FIRSTCANALLAWREQUIRINGMAPS• Section4• “Acompletemanuscriptmapandfieldnotes,ofeverycanalthatnowis,orhereaftershallbecompleted,andofallthelandsbelongingtothestateadjacenttheretoorconnectedtherewithshallbemade,onwhichtheboundariesoftheeveryparcelofsuchlands,towhichthestateshallhaveaseparatetitle,shallbedesignatedandthenamesoftheformerownersandthedateofeachtitlebeentered…”
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article1• Section5• Everysuchmapshallbecompliedbythecanalcommissioners,whoshall,forthatpurposecauseallnecessarysurveystobemade,whenprepared,itshallbesubmittedtothecanalboardforitsapprobation,andwhensoapprovedshallbesignedbythecanalcommissioners,becertifiedbythemascorrect,andbefiledintheofficeofthecomptroller.
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article1• Section6requiredthatacopyofthemaps,fieldbooksandnotesofthesurveysbetransmittedandfiledinthecountyclerk’sofficeofeverycountythecanalintersected
10/31/17
16
RevisedStatutes(1827)Chapter9Title9Article1• Section7• Atranscriptfromtheoriginalmap,orfromacopythereof,certifiedascorrect,bytheofficewithwhomsuchmaporcopyshallbefiled,shallbereceivedaspresumptiveevidence,inalljudicialandlegalproceedings.
Chapter451oftheLawsof1837
• Section6• Theoriginalmapsofthecanalsofthisstate,whichpurporttohavebeenmadeandcompletedunderaninvirtueofthefirstarticleoftitleninechapternineofthefirstpartoftheRevisedStatutes;whichsaidmapsarenowfiledintheofficeofthecomptroller;andsuchmapsofsaidcanalsashereaftershallbemade,completed,approved,signed,certifiedandfiledunderandinvirtueoftheactreferredto,areherebydeclaredtobepresumptiveevidencethatthelandsindicatedonsaidmapsasbelongingtothestate,havebeentakenandappropriatedbythestateasandforthecanals;andatranscriptfromanysuchmaps,certifiedasrequiredbytheactreferredto,shallbeofequaleffectwiththeoriginal.
HolmesHutchinsonMapsof1832-1843
• FulfillthemandateofChapter9Title9oftheRevisedStatutes&Chapter451oftheLawsof1837
• ShowstheEriecanalbyeverycounty,includingroads,municipalboundaries,buildings,waterways,bridgesandlandowners• Ink,washandcharcoalmaps• Sized18x26inches• RedLineshowsmetesandboundsoftheinneredgeofthetowpath• Bluelineshowsstateownership
10/31/17
17
HolmesHutchinsonMapsof1832-1843
HHMaps:ExplanatoryRemarks
• Theredline,describedalongtheinneredgeofthetowingpath,isthelineuponwhichallthemeasurementsinthedirectionofthelengthofthecanalweremade.— …• Thespaceenclosedbythebluelinesrepresentstheportionembracedwithinthelimitsofthesurveyasbelongingtothestate,andthenamesoftheadjoiningproprietorsgivenastheystoodatthetimeofexecutingthesurvey.Thedistancesareprojecteduponascaleoftwochainstotheinch.
HHMaps:ExplanatoryRemarks
• “thestateclaimsbeyondthebluelines,sofaraswillenableit,inallcases,torepair,maintainanddefend,itsworks: Claimingasofright,inallplaces,notonlythatwhichmaystrictlybeconsideredthecanal,buteverythingfairlyconnectedwithitssafety,beneficialuseandenjoyment.”
10/31/17
18
HolmesHutchinsonMapsof1832-1843
• NYSArchiveshomepage• http://www.archives.nysed.gov/aindex.shtml
• Click“Images,AudioandVideo”fromleftmenu• Click“Transportation”fromtopmenuorscrolldown• Click“NewYorkStateCanalSystem1827-1925”• Click“HolmesHutchinsonSurveyMaps1832-1843”• Clickonanyofthefollowing:ErieCanal,ChamplainCanal,ErieandChamplainCanalFeeders,CrookedLakeCanal,CayugaandSenecaCanalorChenangoCanal
Chapter338Laws1894
• Section4• Mapsandfield-notes---Thereshallbekeptonfileintheofficeofthestateengineercompletemanuscriptmapsandfield-notesofeverycanalnoworhereaftertobebuiltandofallthelandsbelongingtothestateadjacenttheretoorconnectedtherewith,inwhichtheboundariesofeveryparceloflandtowhichthestateshallhaveaseparatetitle,shallbedesignated,andthenamesoftheformerownersandthedateofeachtitleentered...• Allsuchmapsandfield- notesapprovedbythecanalboardorcanalcommissionersorcertifiedbysuchboardorcommissionersorbythestateengineertobecorrect,shallbepresumptiveevidenceofthetruthofthefactsthereinstatedandoftheownershipbythestateofthelandsthereindescribed.
Chapter338Lawsof1894
• Section5• RequirescertifiedcopiesoftheMapsandFieldNotestobefiledintheCountyClerk’sofficeasrelatetocanallandswithinthecounty• Thesecopiesweretohavethesameforceandeffectastheoriginals.
10/31/17
19
Schillner FieldBook@PortByron
Schillner Mapsof1896
B0253.BargeCanalsectionalmaps("Schillner Maps"),ca.1896.ca.132cu.ft.(71maps)DescriptionFromStateArchives
• Thisseriesconsistsof71manuscriptmapsdepictinglandalongtheErie,Champlain,andOswegocanalsacquiredbytheStateforcanalpurposesupto1896.
Schillner Mapsof1896
• EachsectionalmapprovidesdetailedinformationonState-ownedproperty,depictedastheareabetweentwosolidbluelines.
• Themapsareespeciallyimportantbecausetheyshow,withindottedbluelines,thelocationsofthe1825canalalignmentandtherelatedstructureswhichhadsincebeenobliterated,suchaslocks,slips,dams,bridges,androads.
• Inadditiontheyshowcity,townandcountylines;streams,rivers,bodiesofwaterandislands;propertylines,alongwithnamesofownersandsometimesacreageofland;andstreets,railroadlines,businessesandciviclandmarks(icecompanies,mills,cemeteries,etc.).
10/31/17
20
Schillner Mapsof1896
Noscaleisgiven,butfiguresmarkcanalfrontageandsurveymeasurementsbynumberofchains(1chain=66feet).”
Schillner Maps
• Thesemapsarenotpresumptiveevidenceofthestate’sownershipbecausetheywerenotapprovedbythecanalboardorthecanalcommissioners,norcertifiedbytheboard,commissionersorthestateengineer.
• MayconstituteancientrecordswhichareprimafacieevidenceoftheircontentspursuanttoCPLRRule4522solongastheyhavebeenonfileinthestateortheregisterofanycountyanycountyclerk,anycourtofrecordoranydepartmentofthecityofNewYorkformorethan10years
Chap147Laws1903
• Lawsof1903,Chapter147.• Section4• EmpowerstheStateEngineertotakepropertyneededfortheBargecanalimprovementsfortheErie,OswegoandChamplainCanals
10/31/17
21
Chap147Laws1903
• Mappingofthelandsappropriatedwasrequired• “…Anaccuratesurveyandmapofallsuchlandsshallbemadebythestateengineerwhoshallannextheretohiscertificatethatsurveythelandsthereindescribedhavebeenappropriatedfortheuseofthecanalsofthestate.Suchmap,surveyandcertificateshallbe.filedintheofficeofthestateengineer,andaduplicatecopythereof,dulycertifiedbythestateengineertobesuchduplicatecopyshallalsobefiledintheofficeofthesuperintendentofpublicworks…”
Chapter147Laws1903
• Thecourtofclaimsshallhavejurisdictiontodeterminetheamountofcompensationforlands,structuresandwaterssoappropriated.
• Theworktoimprovethecanalwasbycontract
• “…Beforeanysuchcontractshallbemadethestateengineershalldividethewholeworkintosuchsectionsorportionsasmaybedeemedforthebestinterestsofthestateincontractingforthesame,andshallmakemaps,plansandspecificationsfortheworktobedoneandmaterialsfurnishedforeachofthesectionsintowhichsaidworkisdivided…”
Chap391Laws1909
• AuthorizedtheBargeCanalImprovementoftheCayugaandSenecaCanals• Section4• BasicallysaysallrequirementssetforthinChapter147oftheLawsof1903fortheErieCanal,OswegoCanalandtheChamplainCanalapplytotheimprovementoftheCayugaandSenecaCanals
10/31/17
22
Chap746Laws1911
• AuthoritytoappropriatelandsfortheBargeCanalTerminals• Section8• Requiresaccuratesurveysandmapsofalllands,structuresandwatersforBargeCanalTerminals• StateEngineerhastocertifyonthemapthatthelandsarenecessaryfortheBargeCanalTerminals• Statetopursuepurchaseifpossibleratherthantousecondemnationpower
ResidencyMaps
ResidencyMaps
• AcompilationoftheparcelsappropriatedfortheconstructionoftheBargeCanalorwhatiscalledtodaytheNewYorkStateCanalSystem• Theyalsoshowthelocationofthechannel,structuresandterminalsalongtheSystem.
10/31/17
23
Chapter199oftheLawsof1910
• AnActtoprovideforthemappingofcertaincanallandsandthelandsadjacenttheretobelongingtothestate,andmakingappropriationtherefor.• Section1.Thestateengineerandsurveyorisherebydirectedtomakethenecessarysurveys,fieldnotesandmanuscriptmapsofallsuchportionsoftheErie,OswegoandChamplaincanalsthatarenotwithinthelinesoftheimprovedErie,OswegoandChamplaincanals,andofallthelandsbelongingtothestateadjacenttheretoorconnectedtherewithonwhichtheboundarylineor“blueline”ofanyparcelofsuchlandtowhichthestateshallhaveaseparatetitleshallbedesignated,togetherwiththenamesofadjoininglandowners.
Chapter199oftheLawsof1910
• Section2• Everysuchmapwhencompletedshallbesubmittedtothecanalboardforitsapprovalandwhensoapprovedshallbesignedbythemembersofthecanalboard,becertifiedbythemascorrectandfiledintheofficeoftheComptroller.
Chapter199oftheLawsof1910
• Section3• Atranscriptoftheoriginalmaporfromacopythereof,certifiedascorrect,bythecomptrollerorbythestateengineerandsurveyorshallbereceivedaspresumptiveevidenceinalllegalorjudicialproceedings.
10/31/17
24
BlueLineMaps
BlueLineMaps
• TheBlueLineMapsbasicallyshowtheStateLandsthatareassociatedwiththeOldCanalindependentofthestatelandsappropriatedfortheBargeCanal.TheBlueLineMapsaredeemedpresumptiveevidenceofthestate’stitletolandswithintheblueline
BlueLineMaps“Methods”
10/31/17
25
ModernCanalLawMaps
• CanalLaw§24• Makingandrecordingmaps.• Thereshallbekeptonfileintheofficeofthecorporationcompletemapsofeverycanalnoworhereaftertobebuiltonwhichtheboundariesofeveryparceloflandtowhichthestateshallhaveaseparatetitleshallbedesignatedandthenamesoftheformerowneranddateofeachtitleentered.Allsuchmapsheretoforeapprovedbythecommissioneroftransportationorthecorporation,orcertifiedbysuchcommissioner,corporationorbythestateengineerorhereafterapprovedbythecorporationtobecorrect,shallbepresumptiveevidenceofthetruthofthefactsthereinstatedandoftheownershipbythestateofthelandsthereindescribed….
ModernCanalLawMaps
• CanalLaw§24• OriginalMaponfilewiththeCorporation• CertifiedCopyonfilewiththeDepartmentofState• Thoseonfileinthecountyclerk’sofficeareevidenceofthestate’stitle• ThesearetheResidencyMaps
ModernCanalLawMaps
• CanalLaw§25.Makingandrecordingof"BlueLine"maps.• ThecommissioneroftransportationshallcausethepreparationofmapsoftheErie,Oswego,ChamplainandtheCayugaandSenecacanalsastheyexistedpriortoandindependentoflandsappropriatedforbargecanalpurposesandofalllandsbelongingtothestateadjacenttheretoorconnectedtherewith,andthereshallbedesignatedonsuchmapstheboundariesofthelandstowhichthestateholdstitle,andsofaraspossiblethenamesoftheownersoftheadjoininglands….
10/31/17
26
ModernCanalLawMaps
• CanalLaw§25Continued• …Everymapwhencompletedshallbeapprovedandcertifiedtoascorrectbythecommissioneroftransportationandbecertifiedtoascorrectbythechiefengineer….
ModernCanalLawMaps
• Eachofsaidmapssofiledshallberegardedasanoriginalcopy.Ablueorwhiteprintcopyofsuchmaporportionofsuchmapormapsasrelatedorappliestoanyparticularcountyofthestateshallbetransmittedtoandfiledintheofficeoftheclerkofsuchcounty,orintheofficeinsuchcountywhereinconveyancesarerequiredbylawtoberecordedandsuchfilingshallconstituteanoticetoallpersonsofthestate'stitletoandownershipofsaidlands.• Atranscriptofsuchmapscertifiedascorrectbytheofficerwithwhomsuchmapormapsshallbefiledshallbereceivedaspresumptiveevidenceofthestate'stitletothecanallandsasofthedatedesignatedonsuchmapsinalljudicialorlegalproceedings.
PresumptiveEvidenceRule
• Afact[evidence]whichmustbereceivedandtreatedastrueandsufficientuntilandunlessrebuttedbyotherevidence• Presumptiveevidenceisnotconclusiveandmaybeexplainedorcontradicted• Theeffectofthepresumptionistoplacetheburdenontheadversarytocomeforwardwithevidencetorebutthepresumption;• Inordertoovercomethepresumption,theadversarymustproduce"substantial"evidencetothecontrary.
10/31/17
27
PresumptiveEvidenceRule:Millerv.State• Millerv.State,164A.D.522(3dDept.1911)aff’d 223N.Y.690(1918)• ControversyoverboundarylineofpropertyalongtheTonawandacreek.• MillersclaimedthattheHolmesHutchinsonMapsdidnotshowthatthepropertyinquestionhadbeenappropriatedbythestate.
PresumptiveEvidenceRule:Millerv.State
• “Inconnectionwiththesemaps,andasapartofthem,thereisawrittennotewhichprovidesthat"Whereanystreamorpondisonthesamelevelwiththewatersofthecanalandthenavigationisconductedinsuchstreamorpond,thestreamorpondisincludedinthecanaltothehigh-watermarkofthestreamwithabermbankoneachsideoffifteenlinkswherenotowingpathisdesignatedonthemap."• RESULT:LandsoutsidethebluelinescanstillbeStateLands
PresumptiveEvidence:Millerv.State• TheStatealsointroducedthefieldnotes,whichthecourtcorrectlydidnotgivethepresumptionaffordedtheofficialmaps,buttheystillconstitutedcompetentproofoftheState’sappropriationoftheCreek.
10/31/17
28
PresumptiveEvidenceHolmesHutchinsonMaps
PresumptiveEvidenceRule
Rexfordv.Knight,11N.Y.308(1854)Toprovehisowntitle,thedefendant(Knight)producedmapsofaportionoftheEriecanalasoriginallyconstructed,andofthesameportionasenlarged,
Thesemapswerenotinanywayauthenticated,astheoriginal,orcopiesofanymapsmadebystatutepresumptiveevidence.
Howeverdefendantprovedbyotherevidence,thatsincetheperiodoftheCanal’sEnlargementthepremiseshadbeenusedandoccupiedbyhim(adversepossession).
PresumptiveEvidence
• Carpenterv.CityofCohoes,81N.Y.21(1880).• Plaintiff’shorsefelldownabankleadingtoachangebridgeusedforthepassageofdrafthorsesfromonesideofthecanaltotheother• Thebridgeanditsapproacheswerealsousedbythepublicasahighwayacrossthecanal,incontinuationandaspartofaroadknownastheBoght road.• TheCitydemonstratedwithaStateCanalMapthattheState,nottheCityownedthepropertywheretheaccidentoccurred.• “Thismapwasundertheprovisionsoftheactof1837,chapter451,section6,primafacieevidenceofthetitleoftheState.”
10/31/17
29
ModernCanalLaw
Chapter766oftheLawsof1992
• “AnActtoamendthecanallaw,thepublicauthoritieslawandthestatefinancelawinrelationtoexpandingthepowersanddutiesoftheNewYorkStateThruwayAuthority,transferringjurisdictionovertheNewYorkStatecanalsystemtothethruwayauthority,creatingtheNewYorkStatecanalrecreationway commission,andcreatingaNewYorkStatecanalsystemdevelopmentfundandtorepealcertainprovisionsofthecanallawandthepublicauthoritieslawinrelationthereto.”
PublicAuthoritiesLaw§382
• § 382.Canalcorporation• 1.Thereisherebycreatedapublicbenefitcorporationknownasthe"NewYorkstatecanalcorporation"(hereinafterreferredtoasthe"canalcorporation")asasubsidiarycorporationoftheauthority.Thecanalcorporationissolelycreatedto,andshallhaveonlythepowerto,operate,maintain,construct,reconstruct,improve,develop,finance,andpromotetheNewYorkStatecanalsystem….
10/31/17
30
PublicAuthoritiesLaw§382
• Section7.Thecanalcorporationshallhavethepowerto:• (a)operate,maintain,construct,reconstruct,improve,develop,finance,andpromotetheNewYorkstatecanalsystemasdefinedinthecanallaw;…• (n)enteronanylands,waters,orpremisesforthepurposeofmakingborings,soundings,andsurveys;…
PublicAuthoritiesLaw§382
• Section9• PermitscanallandsnotneededforcanalpurposeswithintheAdirondackstobetransferredtotheDEC
NYSCanalLaw
• Organizedinto14Articleswithapproximately142Sections(seehandoutfortitlesoftheArticles)• OfinteresttosurveyorsaretheArticlesentitled:• Article1:ShortTitleandDefinitions(seehandouts)• Article3.CanalEngineering.Sections23,24&25(mappingrequirements,seehandout)• Article5.AcquisitionofPropertyfortheCanal• Article6.AbandonmentofCanalLands(nextsection)• Article7.BridgesandHighways• Article10:Permits
10/31/17
31
CanalLawArticle1:Shorttitleanddefinitions
• 1."NewYorkStateCanalSystem","CanalSystem"or"BargeCanalSystem"shalleachmeanallthecanals,canallands,feedercanals,reservoirs,canalterminalsandcanalterminallandsofthestateashereinafterdefined.Allgeneralreferenceshereinto"canal"shallbedeemedtomeantheNewYorkstatecanalsystem.• 2."Canals"shallmeanthechannelandadjacentstate-ownedbanksoftheinlandwaterwaysofthestateconstructed,improved,ordesignatedbyauthorityofthelegislatureascanalsandshallincludecanalizedriversandlakes,canalwatersupplyreservoirs,canalwatersupplyfeederchannelsandallappertainingstructuresnecessaryforthepropermaintenanceandoperationofthecanals.
CanalLawArticle1:Shorttitleanddefinitions
• 4."ErieCanal"shallmeantheportionofthecanalsystemconnectingtheHudsonriveratAlbanywiththeNiagarariveratBuffalo,andforthepurposesofarticlethirteen-Aofthischapterandsectionninety-two-u ofthestatefinancelawandsubdivisiontenofsectionthreehundredfifty-oneofthepublicauthoritieslaw,shallbedeemedtoincludethehistoricErieCanalanditswesternterminusinthecityofBuffaloandhistoriclocknumber1inthecityofAlbany.
CanalLawArticle1:Shorttitleanddefinitions
• 8."CanalLands"shallmeanalllandsandwatersformingapartofthecanalsystemtitletowhichwasoriginallyvestedinthestate,acquiredbythestateorwhichmayinthefuturebeacquiredbythestateforcanalpurposes.
• 9."BlueLine"shallmeantheboundaryofcanallandsownedbythestateprevioustotheapprovalofchapteronehundredforty-seven,lawsofnineteenhundredthree.
• 10."OldCanalLands"shallmeancanallandslyingwithintheblueline.
10/31/17
32
Article3:CanalEngineering
• § 23.Recordofmeasurements• Thecorporationshallrequireeveryengineeremployedoncanalengineeringtoenterinpermanentfieldbooksacompleterecordofallsurveys,fieldmeasurementsandconstructionnotes.Thesebooksshallbefiledinthecorporationandshallbeavailableforpublicinspectionundersuchconditionsasthecorporationmayestablish.• §24.Makingandrecordingmaps.(ResidencyMaps)• §25.Makingandrecordingof"BlueLine"maps.
Article5:AcquisitionofPropertyfortheCanal
• § 40.Acquisitionofproperty• Subsection1:corporation’senablingpowertouseeminentdomainforcanalpurposes• Subsection2:allowseitherfeeoreasementinteresttobetakenpursuanttoanacquisitionmap(EDPL)
CanalLawArticle5Section40
• Subsection17:allowsthetakingofatemporaryeasementoreasementthatexpiresupontheoccurrenceofaneventorelapseoftime• Atthetimeofexpirationoftheeasementthecorporationhastocreateacertificateinthenatureofareleaseoftheeasementthatextinguishestheeasement• ThatcertificatemustbesenttoDOSwhonotifiesthelandownersviaacopycertifiedbytheattorneygeneral,and• Thecertificateisalsoisfiledinthelandtitlerecordsofthecounty
10/31/17
33
CanalLawArticle5
• Section42.Removalofencroachments• Corporationisauthorizedtoremoveencroachmentsfromcanallandsiftheencroachmentsareinterferingwiththecanal’soperation• upon30daysnoticetotheencroacherstovoluntarilyremovetheencroachment• Iftheencroachmentisnotremoved,thestatecanremoveitwithoutliability
BlackRiverCanalLockatRome,1920
CanalLawArticle5
• § 43.Exchangeofproperty• Ratherthanpaying$$toappropriatelandsthecorporationisauthorizedtoexchangeunnecessarycanallandsforlandsneededforthecanal• Propertyacquiredhastohaveequalvaluetothepropertyexchanged• Corporationcanenteranagreementwiththelandownertoexchangeproperty• Propertytobeexchangedhastofirstbedeclaredtobeabandoned
CanalLawArticle5Section43
• AbandonmenthastobeapprovedbytheAttorneyGeneralpursuanttosection50• Corporationisallowedtoexecuteaquitclaimdeed• DeedhastobefiledattheDOSbeforeCo.Clerk• Whenlandsappropriatedexceedthevalueoflandsexchanged,thereshallbeanadjustmentandpaymentwillbemadeaccordingtosection41
10/31/17
34
CanalLawArticle7:BridgesandHighways
• § 60.Alterationofcountyroadsortownhighways• CommissionerofTransportationcanelecttomovehighwaysthatinterferewiththeCanal,bydiscontinuingthehighwayintheTownorCountypursuanttotheHighwayLaw• ThentheCommissionerhastofilethedescriptionofthenewroadintheTownorCounty• Discontinuanceoftheoldhighwaycannotoccuruntilthenewhighwayisopened
CanalLawArticle7:BridgesandHighways
• § 62.Maintenancebystateofcertainbridgesoverthecanalsystem• § 63.Maintenancebystateofalterationtocertainhighwaybridgesnotstateowned• § 64.Commutationforbridges• Thecommissioneroftransportationmaycommutewithownersandclaimantsofbridgesoveranycanal,bypayingsuchownerorclaimantsuchsuminlieuofabridgeasmaybeagreedonbetweentheclaimantandthecommissioneroftransportation.
CanalLawArticle7BridgesandHighways
• § 65.Privateroadinlieuoffarmbridges• Ifthecommissioneroftransportationcannotagreewiththeownerofafarmbridgespanningacanalastotheamountofcommutationinanycasewhereheisoftheopinionthatthestateshoulderectsuchbridge,andthecommissioneroftransportationdeterminesthataprivateroadthroughadjoininglandswillsufficientlyaccommodatesuchowner….hemaytakethenecessaryactiontolayoutaprivateroadfortheaccommodationoftheowner,inthemannerprescribedbylawforlayingoutprivateroadsandpaytotheownerofthelandsthroughwhichthesameislaidout,thedamagesassessed.
10/31/17
35
CanalLawArticle7:BridgesandHighways
• § 66.Restrictionsontheconstructionoffarmandroadbridges• § 67.Constructionofbridgesbymunicipalcorporations• § 68.Bridgesspanningcanalchannels(cannotinterferewithnavigationonthecanal)• § 69.Damagescausedbyexcessiveloads• § 69-a.Changesinbridgesandhighwaysonorovercanalsandcanallands
CanalLawArticle10:Permits
• § 100.Grantingrevocablepermits• TypesofPermits
• TemporaryuseofCanalLands(solongasdoesnotinterferewithcanalnavigation/purposes)
• TouseCanalStructures• Todivertcanalwatersforsanitary,farmpurposes,orindustrialuse
• tocut,gatherandhaulawayicefromthecanals
• Forstorageatcanalterminals
CanalLawArticle10:Permits
• § 101.Railroadsoperatingovercanals• § 102.Pipelinescrossingcanals• § 103.Tollsforlockandliftbridgepassagebyvesselsanduseoflocksandliftbridges• § 104.Useofdrydocksforrepairs Thisphotographshowspeoplewaitingtotakea
tripontheErieCanalinAuriesville NY,1890.Trainswerebeginningtoreplacecanalsasthepreferredmethodoftransportinggoods.ButatripdowntheErieCanalwasalwaysfun,afinethingtodoonabeautifulsummerafternoon.
10/31/17
36
AbandonmentofCanalLands
1821ConstitutionalProhibition
• In1821NYSAmendeditsconstitutiontoprohibitthedispositionofStateownedCanalLands• "thelegislatureshallneversellordisposeof***thesaidnavigablecommunicationsoranypartorsectionthereof,butthesameshallbeandremainthepropertyofthestateforever."• IntheConstitutionof1846,thesameprovisionwasembodiedinsectionsixofarticleseven• Syracusev.Sweet,129N.Y.316(1891)
1894ConstitutionalAmendment
• Addedanexceptiontotheprohibitionofdisposingofcanallandstothosethatwerenolongerusefulornecessaryforcanalpurposes
10/31/17
37
NYSConstitutionToday
• TheLegislatureisstillProhibitedfromselling,abandoningorotherwisedisposingofcanallands• Article15Section1oftheNYSConstitution
• EXCEPTthoselandswhichwerenolongerusefulornecessaryforcanalpurposes• Article15Section2oftheNYSConstitution
LegislativeAction
• CanalLandshadtobeabandonedbyLegislativeAct• Theywereusuallyconveyedto• Railroadsà
• Chapter143oftheLawsof1878“AnActrelatingtothedispositionoftheprismandbanksoftheCrookedLakeCanal”tothePennYanandNewYorkRR
• Citiesà• Chapter391oftheLawsof1878“AnActauthorizingthecityofBinghamtontouseaportionoftheChenangocanalforapublicstreet”
LegislativeAction
• ORSOLD• Chapter344oftheLawsof1878“AnActtoamendchapterfourhundredandseventy-seven,entitled“AnActtoprovideforthedispositionandsaleofcertainlateralcanalsofthisstate,andthelands,rightsandotherpropertyconnectedtherewith.”• AdvertiseandselltheCrookedLakeCanal,itsappurtenancesandwaterprivilegesconnected
therewith• AdvertiseandsellthatportionoftheChenangocanaldescribedinsection2oftheact• AlsotheChemungCanalanditsfeeders,branchesappurtenancesandwaterprivileges(water
rightstoreverttooriginalownersortheirsuccessors)• Afterthecloseofnavigationin1878,advertiseandselltheGeneseeValleyCanal,itsfeeders,
branchesandappurtenancesandwaterprivileges
10/31/17
38
LegislativeAction
• Chapter344oftheLawsof1878continued:• Citesandvillageshadtherightandoptiontopurchasecanallandsforonequarteroftheirassessedvalue
LegislativeAction
• SometimestheLegislatureauthorizedthecanalboardtodisposeofabandonedcanallands
Chapter50oftheLawsof1909
• Thecommissionerofgeneralservicesmaysellandconveyatpublicorprivatesaletheright,titleandinterestofthestateinandtoanyrealproperty,acquiredforcanalpurposes,whichthecommissioneroftransportationmaydeterminetohavebeenabandonedforsuchpurposes,orastowhichadeterminationofabandonmentshallhavebeenheretoforemadepursuanttolaw.• PublicLandsLawARTICLE4.ABANDONEDCANALLANDSANDSTRUCTURES.Section50Saleofabandonedcanallands
10/31/17
39
CanalLawSection50
• In1992theCanalCorporationwasgivenauthoritytoabandonCanalLands• § 50.Authoritytoabandoncanallands• 1.Authorityisherebyconferreduponthecorporationtoabandonanyportionofbargecanallands,bargecanalterminallands,oroldcanallandsandappertainingstructuresconstitutingthecanalsystempriortothebargecanalimprovement,whichhaveormaybecomenolongernecessaryorusefulasapartofthebargecanalsystem,asanaidtonavigationthereon,orforbargecanalterminalpurposes.
CanalLawSection50:Authoritytoabandoncanallands• Thisauthority,however,shallnotincludetheabandonmentofabargecanalterminalunlesssuchterminalhasbeenbyaspecialactofthelegislaturepreviouslydeterminedtohavebecomenolongernecessaryorusefulasapartofthebargecanalsystem,asanaidtonavigationthereon,orforbargecanalterminalpurposes.
CanalLawSection51:MethodtoAbandonCanalLands• PriortoabandonmenttheCorporationhastopublishnoticesinnewspapers1xaweekfor3weeksoftheproposedabandonment• “Suchnoticeshalldescribethelandsproposedtobeabandonedwithsufficientcertaintytoidentifythemandinviteinterestedpartiestofilewrittenstatementseithersupportingoropposingtheproposedabandonment.”• Iftheassessmentforsuchlandsproposedforabandonmentisequaltoorgreaterthanfiftythousanddollars,thecorporationshallholdahearing
10/31/17
40
CanalLawSection51:MethodtoAbandonCanalLands• Then,the“corporationmayinitsdiscretiondeclaresuchlandsabandonedforthepurposesofthecanalsystem.• Thecorporationshallthereuponissueanofficialorderabandoningthelandsforcanalpurposestogetherwithamapanddescriptionofthelandsabandonedanddisposeofanyportionofcanallandssoabandoned.• Anymoneyrealizedfromthesaleofsuchlandshallbedepositedintothecanalfund.”
QuestionsonCanalAbandonment
• AllquestionsshouldbedirectedtotheLandRecordContactsoftheCanalCorp.attheirrespectiveDivisions• Albany• Syracuse• Buffalo
• IftheDivisionisunabletohelpyouthencontactDivisionheadquartersinAlbany
CanalAbandonmentProcedure
• FileApplicationrequestingabandonment• Adeterminationismadewhetherthelandsareneededforcanalpurposes/maintenance• App.thensenttotheCanalRecreationalCommissionasanadvisoryboardtogettheirapprovaloftheproposedabandonment• Landmustbesurveyed,standardsforthemapsarethroughtheSeniorLandSurveyor,hemeetsyouinthefield• Surveyiscompleted
10/31/17
41
CanalAbandonmentProcedure
• Appraisalofthepropertyisconducted,Corp.hiresappraiser,applicantpays• Thevalueittakentotheboardtocertifythevalue• Applicantistoldtheprice• ThentheapplicationgoestotheOfficeofRealPropertyMgmtforclosingorauction• ProcedureisonCanalCorp.websiteunder• Doingbusiness• RealProperty• BasicsofSalesandPermits
EffectofAbandonment
• NYShassovereignimmunityfromAdversePossessionorPrescriptiveeasementclaimswhenitholdspropertyforapublicorgovernmentalpurpose• However,thatimmunityislostwhenthestateholdspropertyinaproprietarycapacity.• Ifcanallandsareabandoned,theycanbeadverselypossessedandprescriptiveeasementscanbeacquiredagainstthestate.
EffectofAbandonment
• Montfortv.Benedict,199A.D.2d923(3dDept.1993).• “…in1981thelandsweredeclaredtohavebeenabandonedforcanalpurposes(L1981,ch 741).Withoutanyothersovereignorpublicpurpose(see,StateofNewYorkv Case,86Misc2d43,381N.Y.S.2d210),suchabandonedpropertywouldbeheldinaproprietarycapacity.
• WhentheBlueLinelandinquestion wasabandoned,therenolongerexistedastatutoryprohibitiontoalienability;aprescriptiveeasementbyadverseusebecamelegallypossibleatthattime.
10/31/17
42
SourcesofInformationCanalCorpNYSArchivesNYSLibraryMuseums
TheEnd SpecialThanksto:uGarretO’Connor,PLS,SeniorLandSurveyor,NYSCanalCorp.uCraigWilliams,CuratorofHistory,NewYorkStateMuseumBibliography:uWeddingoftheWaters,TheErieCanalandtheMakingofaGreatNationbyPeterBernsteinuTheArtificialRiver:TheErieCanalandtheParadoxofProgress,1817-1862byCarolSheriff