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Residents press commissioners on who owns Schuske Road pier and county liability
Summary
Residents raised concerns about a pier at the end of Schuske Road, asking whether the county or private owners hold riparian or maintenance responsibility and who would be liable if someone were injured; commissioners and counsel said they will research a 2012 MOU and state guidance.
Multiple residents urged the commissioners to clarify ownership and liability for a pier at the end of Schuske Road after social‑media attention and reports of unrecorded agreements. A resident said the county minutes include an authorization but that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) could not be found in the recorder’s office; another resident cited a 2022 Natural Resources Commission guidance on riparian rights that says riparian rights generally extend to the centerline of the easement and that public rights “do not include the placement of piers or mooring of boats.”
“Riparian rights generally extend to the centerline of the easement or right of way,” a public commenter quoted from the Natural Resources guidance. Commissioners and counsel said they had not reviewed the 2012 MOU and that the county’s liability depends on whether the MOU exists and what it authorized. Counsel said the issue will be part of future discussions and that staff will seek any agreements and relevant documentation. The board did not make a legal determination at the meeting but asked staff and counsel to research applicable agreements, insurance requirements and inspection history.
