The Evolution of the Public Trust Doctrine and the Degradation of Trust Resources: Courts, Trustees and Political Power in Wisconsin
Ecology Law Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 135, 2000
Univ. of Wisconsin Legal Studies Research Paper Archival Collection
63 Pages Posted: 20 Sep 2011
Date Written: September 16, 2000
Abstract
The public trust doctrine is rooted in ancient Roman law and the Wisconsin Constitution. Ancient Roman jurists believed that the natural law concept that the waters are common to all was not subject to the changing whims of legis- latures. Similarly, modern theorists assert that a constitutionally-based doctrine will be more insulated from politics. This Comment demonstrates the limits of these theories. The trust doctrine is not immutable. Based on interviews with the trustees of Wisconsin's water resources, this Comment uncovers the constraints on the trustees. It shows that trust resources are at risk due to politically-motivated decisions and lax enforcement.
Keywords: public trust doctrine, empirical study, Wisconsin, Department of Natural Resources, water law, water, riparian rights, institutes of justinian
JEL Classification: K32
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation