Who owns land that is uncovered by reliction?

Reliction refers to the gradual recession of water, resulting in the exposure of land that was previously submerged. When this occurs, the owner of the land that borders the body of water—known as the riparian or littoral owner—typically gains ownership of the newly exposed land. This is based on the principle that land gained through natural processes, such as the gradual lowering of water levels, becomes the property of the adjacent landowner. Thus, when reliction occurs, the riparian or littoral owner is recognized as the rightful owner of the uncovered land, reflecting the connection between the land and water in property law.

In contrast, the other entities listed, such as the public of the state, the federal government, and the U.S. Department of the Interior, do not automatically gain ownership of this newly exposed land as a result of the process of reliction. The rights of the adjacent landowner take precedence in this situation, underscoring the principles of land ownership related to the water's boundary.