When the owner of any land in which there is any saltwater creek or inlet desires to dam, gate or lock the same for any oyster pond, for the cultivation of oysters, he may make application therefor to the selectmen of the town or the shellfish commission where such creek or inlet may be, who shall visit and examine it. If, in the opinion of the selectmen or commission, to dam it will not injure navigation or deprive the public of any rights or privileges, said selectmen or commission shall mark off, or set bounds, where a dam may be built, and report such opinion to a meeting of the town or the commission; and, if such opinion is approved by the meeting or the commission, the owner of such creek or inlet may construct and maintain such dam, gate or lock, for such purpose, during the pleasure of the General Assembly.
(1949 Rev., S. 5083; P.A. 86-225, S. 8.)
History: P.A. 86-225 amended section to authorize shellfish commission, as well as selectmen, to rule on applications to restrict water flows, where previously the power was restricted to the selectmen.
Strict compliance in mode of procedure is requisite; whether all the owners of lands are required to join, quaere; public rights in a natural bed not affected. 42 C. 255.