‘

. **OFFICE OF**  **THE ATTORNEY**  **GENERAL OF**  **TEXAS**
**AUSTIN**

**OaKi, Fish**  **and Opter**  Commiartlon Welton 

### aulldiry **Austin,** 

### TeXat

Oentlemenr

**your** 

### oplnlon**mqusst**

lrq of the Qtuxe,

Fish Jantm’y **19, 1937,**  the te raa0lution,purto 

### theColoradogiver eend and greve1, outed by P Team, and under **the** juriadlotlon

, Fieh end bpter 00101Pieeion, from **ad of**  the Colorado **River.** ApplicaLower Colorado RiverAuthority to and gravel from the Colorado River. ternon that river,uas aaUs by their y, Honorable**A.** J. Wlrta, who etated that he had reooived an oplnloa from the Attorney Oeneral (axaerpts of vhioh he read to the Commireion) which stated that the CwaPitslon had the authority to give o permit to the 

### Colarado River Authority for the removal of~tnnd end gravel from the 

### Colorado~lverand to ralceno chiwg~f’w06~x6,Fish and Oyster Colllmirsion - page 2

**same.** The permit that ~4s later Issued by the 05~~6, Fish and Oyeter ComsiraFon for the r4- moval of aand **and** gravel was for the **removal of**  **aand end** gravel or said Colorado

### RiverAuthorltyvlthout any payxwnt for saidmaterial.

‘Ithas nov coma to my atkmtlon that the **8tatUte of**  this Stat4 authoricing the fjam, p&h and Oyster Commission to lasu6 a permit for the free removal Or mud **and**gravel from the public navigablew&era of'thla state 16 restricted to such 

### sandand gravel a8 may b4 used for pub1l.c road purposes

### or for ma vnll purjxm34, and 

### does not at all 

### relateto sand and gravel as removed to be used In the uonrtructlon of dams OP other such purposes then roads or ~8 walla.

%x recognire that it hxr been vell eatabliahed **by the**  lavs of this Stlrtsthat thatunauthorired

### acts of a afnlatarlal offloe of this State ore not binding upon the State, aridther4- fore, if you f'lndthat the p4rrmit.ibsued by the 081~6, Floh and Oyatep Coami~aion to th4 Lover Colorado **Rfver** Authority on Jauuary 19, 1939, voa en lnvnlldone, vi11 you pleas4 advise U(I how ve shouldproceed for the collection of tbsmoney that lo due the state of Texas for th4 sand and grhval reatovad **under** this alleged permit.

9. **Was**the psradt lawad by the Oelae, Fish 4nd Oyster Comlasion on January 19, 1939, to authorlte the Lousr Colorado River **Authority** to r4mov4 iand and gravel froa the OItate property In the ColoradoRtvsr for **dam**oonstruatlonpurpos4s

a valid permit?

“2. If pu have ansvered thisRo, On4 qusstlon in the a4gatlve, will you pleaee edvfss ~8 vhet atepe to **take** to recover any money that pray be due 

### ths Stats 

### ofTcxaefor SaXid e;rdgravel rsmoved from the Colorado River by the Lover Colorado River authorlty for dam conetructlonpurposes, and for vhlch payment has not been made to ths state bscaurs of the irauance to raid Colorado **River** 

### AuthorityOS an allegedly valid per&t for th4 maoval of **raid** mat4rial."

### 608

OMe, Fish aa Oyster Coarmisslon- page 4

we have found and exanilnadthe u?LnLon dated l&y 1, 1936, rsforred to In your letter. It 1% rea0rd4a ui ~31. 371
p. 560, **Letter** opinlonz of **the** Attorney General. **#4** attach 8 copy of zzmehereto. T&la oplalon does not atate that tho Qaz#, pizh and Oyster Comm:%%lon lo authorzzed to iosue permit% for removal of zand and gravel from stats property vlthout ahar(ie. **It doez**  hold, hovever, thatArticle Wj)d, R. 8. 1.925, vhfoh Plxss at

mlnf.mutx

priue or !Qi

a ton on sand 

### andgravsl aold by the Cormrrisslone~ **by and**  vlth the approval of the **&we~nor,** applies only to 

### a rale of sand and L;ravelLn plsce ana do4% not apply ,‘vh4r4the applfcsatmerely **deziree to**  **rwzovo aend**  from

**a** 

### brr **or reef.** **”** The opinion requert from XI?. **Wlrtz** had stated that *It 1% the assIP of the Lover **Colorado** River Authority only to remove rsnd from bar8 in the Colorado and Llano River%,” The opInlon revlevz the appl.icablestatutea **and** polntr out that “no provision has bsttnenacted giving the Lowar Coloraao River Authority th4 right to operate rr44 0r charge” and m&s% the ztatemznt that ‘It aewzz oloar that the Leglalature **intended** Sor rtoonxlderaflon to be &bald ror the clana

and gravel taken rrom **the** river **bed regardlear**  **of hou**  It 

### uaa done. Then auaaanly without the cltatlon or authority the opinion closeswith l&f% paragrwht

**,*Houever,** **Article 4053**  **provlda for**  **the** losuxnoe **or** penults to u%4 eand or gravel inaludad with&n the **&WOVillitXl8** Or th4 Act doe8 not provide
a **rpinlmuz~**

### aonxideratlon**to be**  **paid** therefor a% 

### doorArticle 4053d. On the contrary a broad 

### dieahtton la given the O%me, Plsh and Oyrtsr Ccmnlrafoner **regarding** the irsuence oi lruoh perztitx. upon him 1% placed the duty or jwoteatlna;

### raidsubetfuwies~XWCI **i%%e use**  **and** udlawrul **dlrturb6acer** and f0 him 18 given th6 power to presrcrlbe the conditiona or re**qulremente** upon which **ruoh** psrmltr zmy **be** izeued. **In other**  **wotix, thr**  **vrlter believea**  **that the**  **Osrms,** Flzh & 

### Oyztorcomal88ionerunder ArtIs 4053 has th4 authority to Issue **a** permit upon %uch conzideratlon

**au he**  **deeaz** 

### expadfant,**takUg. Into**  **conzideratIon the**  nztur4 of the agency or individual doair- to remove such rublrtanoen, **the** 

### uoe **to** which auah **zubatantss are**  **to be**  placed, and the 4ffect of **hi6** action upon the, **beet** lnteresta or the rund entrusted to his oar4 aad of the Stat. of Texau a% a whole.”

we ~111 nom sxaz~lnethe quertlon of WW2wr or not **Artlclbs 4053** 

### Ma **403X, ft.**  **8.** 

### 1925,**authorire** the it~auance cl **two** dlrr4mit u&d8 or p4mit8, vLr. (1)a non-exclusive right. 

### : 1603

**ffuae,** 

### Fish**and OJatar**  **Comml~r101-1 pags**  **4**

to take rand an4 gravel from State property at & 

### price.if any, 

### which the&me, FlehendOymter Co!mleslon In Its discretion may fix, **and** (2) an exclurIve right to certnln aand and gravel in place, vhIch must be purahaaed at not leer,then 4 cents a ton an4 the permit issuedby end with the approval of the Oovernor,



### hrticrlr

**4053~**which 

### 1s eakd to **authariro** the first kind 

### of per&t r&la a0 tollova:

"Anyonede8lrIng.to

### pur&msa anyOS ths marl and eand of commewIa1 value en4 any of **the** gravel, shells **or** mudrhell Inclu4edwithin 

### thepro: 

### vIsIonsof this chapter, or othez-wlre operate in any of thewaters or upon any 

### laland,reetf, bar, lake, hey, river, creek 

### orbayou Included In this chapter, shall fimt 5ake written applicatloa therefor to the ComlaaIoner desIgaating the 3.Imits or the terrftory Inwhich much perhon deafrae to operate. If the 

### Conmdiaeloner ie estlrfled thst the taking, oamyIn& away or dlaturblng of the marl, grxvsl, aand, shella **or** mdehe3.l in the deslguated tsrrltorywould not damage or Injurlounly etiect any 

### oysters,oyster be48, fish Inhabltlngvatere thereof or adjacent thereto en4 that auoh operation would not damage or Lnjuriouelyaffect any Ialend, wef, bar, channal, river, or bayou ure4 for fmqu4at or oacaalonal

### arrvigatlon, nor 

### chengeor otherwlee IajurlounlyaSfed any current thatwould affect navigation, he may 

### issuea verait to such pe~on aster such applicant shell have moplIe vith all **requiremats** premsrlbedby eaI4 Comla8Ioner. %he pemlt rhall authorite the applloant to teke, carry avay or 

### otherwIseoperatevIthIn the IWit& al’suah terrttory 

### asmay

### be deslgaatedthereia, sad ror rwuh substance or purpose only as may be **named in**  

### the **permit** an4 upon the tenor aad eoa4ltIone of the permit. Ho **permit** shalX be aeelgnable, and a failure
or refusal or th* holder to col~ply vith the terms and

conferred thereln or clatied thereunder. lo-speoial privilege or exclueive right &all be 

### grantedto any pttrrmn, assocletlon of **peraoaa,** corporate or othervlasi to take or oarry away any of euoh **producte** frh any territory

### or to otherwise **operate** In or upon any Irland, reef,bay, lake, river, oreek, or bayou Included in thle chapter.’Omae, Blah & Oyeter Wmmisslon - Pagu 5

Article 40f.ip6,

which :t eald to authorleo **the** mecon kind of permit, read5 a8 Eollower

"TheCeGe, Flab 8nd Oyster Coweleelonsrby and Vlth the epyroval of the Governor,may sell the earl,

**@ ‘** **8Vsl,** 

### 6Ud, shell or 6UIdehhsil inClud6dwithin this **Act,** upon such tsrats snd CoXIdItlOu6

88 he my deem

proper, but for not leer than four (4~) ceate per toa, and payment thersfor ohall.bsmede to e6id Comaiseioner. The prQOeed6 arlelng from such eble ehall b6 traaualttsd to the State Treasurer 

### andbe cr6dited to a epoci81 

### f-4 hereby cr436t64 to be k-mu a6 the 5554; gravel -4 ahell ma Of the St6t5, end eIi%y be expended by the esld Coemlosiomtr la the 6nforcemant of the provlslone of the eead, she= md gravel leve **8iSd** Ia the 6steb~IeheIent endmeiatea8ac6 of fish hatCh6rle6, when provided by iogiQi8tiV6 appropriation, and la the peymut of refwds provided for in 86otIon 7, Chapter 161, ol the Oaneral ~awe of ths Regular seaeloa of tha Thirty-sl&th L6$Islatur6, to couatiee, Gitf55 or towae OP any politscrl eubdivleioa of a couaby, city OP town, a5 PWId6d for Ia Section 7, Cbaptsr 161, of th6 Qsner8.ltawe of the **RC?&$Ular** 

### 366l310!3

of th6 Thirty-eighthX,6$iel#itUX'6. And 

### 8160pmvtding; that ths euthorieatIon of 

### refund5

on 6EUid,

gravel end shell 6h611 be extended to include rerun45 to the stat6 xighway Caealeaion of acmey **paid** the **State** throw21 the We@, Fish end Oyetcrr COW mlesloa Por read, 

### gravelead 6hell used by th6 

### Stats Hlghvey Co~laelon on public romde upon applloatlon for eUah refund8 in the warier pwacribed 

### forcttee fLUdCOUdi65. Provided fUrthor thmt not 166s t= eeveaty-Plve par cent or the prQCe046 derived thererroa, after 

### ~tund5 above 

### rt3lrrt~~04 to have **been** 05ma **for,** eh811 go for the **6etabliehaont** ead 638lateaence 

### of Sleh 

### batharlea; ead the saad, grev61, and ehsll f'uadla haNby appropriated **for** the purpoee ot cerryfry out the yrovleloas of thleAct. St%14 hetcheriee to **be** 66tabllshed **from** tlrpato tine In **the** Hats of Toxaa by the Fish, Gem6 **mnd**Oyetor Comi.ehlon,whon la **their** jum6nt a suitable :ocEtlon 15 55Gu3f34and arrengsewnto therefor h6ve baen 

### QOapbt6d."**Qm, Fith**  **Snd Oyster**  **Commleslon -**  **page G** 

rheas articlesmust be conuiderad rlong vith **Articlea** 4051, 4052 and 4054,utioh read as follovsr

"Art. 4051. 

### All the lalands,reefs,bars, lakes and bay6 vlthln the tidevater liplit from themost inferfor point 

### eeavardco-extensivevlth the furlrdfction of thle Sate, **and** such of'the fresh water islands, lakes, rlVer6, oretka and bayou6 vlthln the lnterlor of this state es.maynot be ombmced in any rurvey OS private land, togethervith all the nrarl **and** rind of coworclal value, and all the &ella, mudshell or gravel of vhst6ooverkind thatmy **be-in**
or upon any island, reef or bar, **and** l.nor upon the bottom of any lake, bay, ahallovv%t6r, rtvers, creeks and beyoue and fish hatcherlee and oy6ter bed6 rithin the jurl6dlctionand territoryherein derided, are Lnaludadwithin thr

### pcovlslonsOS this 

### chapter i aad


### are hereby plaaed under the 6maa&mmat~ **eontro** end proteatlon of’ t&e Commlrslaaer, llone of the marl, Gravel, 6helle,mudshells or rand incfudedherein ehell be **purchased,** taken avay or disturbed, except ae provided herein, 

### nor shallany oyrterbed8 or flrh hatcheries vlthIn the territory included

### hereinbe dinturbed except as herein provided,”

**‘ Art.**  4052. The Commleeloner in hereby inVe6ted with all the pover and authorityneoassary to **oarry** into **effect** the provislorui of thle chapter, and 6&hall. have full charge and dlecretion over all mttez+6,pertalnlng to the ~3.~28, the taking, oamylng avay or dinturblng of all ~1, sand 

### or ravel of oommtraial value, and all gravel **and** she le 

### if 

### oraudshell and 

### ogatrr bed6 end their protection from 

### fPetwe end unlavlril dleturblng or 

### l

pproprlstion of emeelvlth cuch exceptloarr

a6 6~y be QrOVidedherein.

**“ Art.**  4054. If any county, or rubdivlsion OS
a **county,** city **or** town should desire aq~ m%rl, gravel, sand, 

### the11or mud6hell included ln this ahapttr for ~60 in the bulldlng of any road or street,vhich vork 18 done by said county, or any subdivision of a county, city or tom, suchmmialpality may be granted a perralt

without charge and shallhave the right $0 take, carry 

### avay or operatq in my vaterr OT upon eny Islands, 

### meIn, orbars included

### herein;such ~~~lclpality **to do**  **the work**  under 

### lta **cnm eupemoieion,**  **but** ahall iiret 

### obtainfrom theCommirsl.aner **a** pemmtt to

### doQaat, Flrh and Oyyrter coamria61on- Pa&e 7

LO. and the gmmtlng OS same for the operation In the territorydeelgnated by suohmunlc1pellty ehhall be subject **to** the 6eme ruloo, regulations end liaritatlona

end dlscretlon of the CorPrn1661olIer 86
ere other appllmmts and permits. When euch bulld**l.ng** of rond6 or **taking of**  ruch **produotr la**  **to** be done by uontreat, then the anfd Patnic1palIty663~ obteLa e refund from the Co6mlseiaaer of the **tax** levied and collected on **&aid products**  **a8 fixed**  by the comlraloner at the tlae of tha 

### takingthereof, by varmint drawn by the Comjeroller upon ltemised aooount mm-n to by the pxwptr 

### officerrttprerentl.ng auoh 6mn1olpalIty end 

### approved**by** 

### theOo666iasloner,~ and wder such other rule6 and mqlulations **a6** pvrg be pre6caibe4 **by t&B**  

### C~Rulonec.'

The80 **flVt** 8rtiCie6 **VWQ** O~lgiadiy tB6Uted In igil


### ampartOSCh. 68,**Act8** 32nd. Mglslature, Reg. 

### so66.p, 118. **At** that time 

### theydid not authorlse the 166Wnoe 

### of a ,per6iIt to take ranff

from *frtth**water lslandn**  -- rlver6, 

### creeks and bayoua’ and dld not lnolude grevel. All.of the other provlslono 

### vem ln the orlglaal act except 

### that.theMnl6wa price va6 "not 108s then ten centa per oublo yard" md in lieu the provlslons **for** payE#nt **ot** 

### refund6contolned**in Artioh**  4053d, above, 

### theorigInalsot containad this prov%abonc

"If any oounty, OP my 6ubdlvision of a county, city or tom ebould derlre any asr4, eend, 0P eh&l or 66adehtllIncluded in this **hat for**  u6e **in the**  **bullding** of any 

### road or 6treet,which **vork** 1a **dent** 

### by rush COUBty, Ql'

Ury **SUbd.fViS~OB**

Of IICOURty, Oity OC tOtm, rutb county or eny rubdlvi61on of **a** oountyc city 0P town lacy

bo granted **a** pem6lt without chwge **and** rball have the ri&ht to take, carry euy or operate l.n8ny vaters, or upon eny 16lend6, reef6, OT bare **included** In thir **Aot,** e&d thiswhether euoh county, 6ubdlvlrlan
or a 

### aountf,clth or tom doe6 thevork 

### under 1t6

own 

### tuptrvlslon**or.by** 

### Contract,but rucrbcounty, or 

### any subdivirton 

### Of B OOUIlty,**Ctty** 

### or **tOUR**

### 6h&;Lfirst obtain from the rlld Co666iosloner a permit to do 60, 

### and t&egranting 

### of 8ame**for the**  

### opmxat,lon i.n the territorydesignated **by** euch county, or sag rubdlvltalon of 

### a county, city or tom, rhell be nubfeet to the ea6ie rule6, regulations **and** limitation8 end dlscretlon oi the 

### taldcommltsloner18 trt otherappUaaatt and pormltl.”

### 613

asme, Flab and Oyster Comsirsion - Page 8

The caption of the 1911dct miadr In part aanAct

. , . to provide for tho sale and protection ot all aarl and atmd of comm%rcfalvalue.”

ThlaAct va% amendad and rs-snaot%d in 1919, Ch.
7’1, Wm. Lmtzr,36th L%glslature, 2nd C. S. p.~215-218. Th% **caption**
%uotee th% caption of the 1911Act and continusrwith th%

### words by adding thereto ths lDBna&%a%nt, control, sale and protection by 

### thoaam%, Plmh aaidOyster Coamiealonttr of all gravel, DSCZ, sazd, 8hell OT mudshell that may b% in or upan any l&and, lake, liver, cc%%k, or bayou, vlthin 

### the interiorof thisBfete 80 may 

### not be embraced in any **survey of**  **private** lund; and providing for
a t-efundto any county, subdiv2aLonor a county, or city or town of all mon%ya vhlch ma,y**be** paid by th%a for the taking of marl., sand,gravel, ahells or mudshall from the public vaters of ths Stbte end **declbrtng rp~l**  **wadrgbnoy. ”**  The extwrgoncpclause recited that “the fact that larg% quantltl%a of **marl,** sand, and gravsl, ehsll. or mudahell belonging to the Stat% ar% being taken and carriedavay daily vlthout ths stat% r%cetvmg ntmwaratlon for
same creatoean omtwgency”, eta. Th% 1919 **Aot** added fresh vater Islands, rivocs, **crebk6** and bayous to the temftocfoe **covemd by**  tho 1911 Act and **grbvel to**  **tin%**list of produots. All other provisions of the 1911 rtatuteu%r% ro-enacted,exoapt that. **Section 8,**  quotod above, vas rs-vocdad so that it no longer authorir%d.th% issuanc% or **a** permitwithout chbrge to *any county,
or subdlvlslonof a county, city **or** tovn” 

### far the building of roads or streetsvhsro the vork vas to **be** done by contractbut in such ca6%s authorized a refund to the county or fmy eubdlvlsfon of a county, city or town "or the tax levied and colleotsd
on saidgrav%l,marl, **sand,** or shell or mudahsll. a8 fixed by fEmyh Plsh and Oyrter commlseionar.at the tim% of tha

8~. 7, ch. 74, aen. Laws, 36th. Legis. va5 retakIn.g

%naot%d'In 1923 by **Beation** 7. Ghaptsr 161, O%nelvL Lava, 38th. Legirlature,Rsgular 

### %sa%on, andamendedonly **to the**  oxtent OS adding a aentenaoapproprlatlng out of ths flrh and **oystor fund**  **suah**amount as may **be** neoesaary **to pay**  

### "countlolr, aftiaa **and** towns” for refunds m just claimsaccruing oubsequont to October 20, 1921.

Only that portion of sac. 7, vhlah vaa part of th% 1919 Act YOS brought 

### torvardin the1925 Codlflcntlon as Article 4354, abovs quotod. The appropriationvhlch vaa added by the 1923 amendnumtvu% dropped, **b606U66 In**  1925 

### Section**ci of**  Ch. 74, Qen. Lbvs (1.919) 36th. Lagis., E;econd C. S., YbS amended 00 as to create m apecral 

### tund )rrroun aa tho sand, gravel **and** shell puad pnd t,be

Qam%, pioh and Oyator Cosmiasloner **vbs given**  authority to pay refW8da **out of**  **thbt sp6CIal**  fund. This 1923 amendmentGame, Fish and Cy4ter~CSmmi4sion - page g

of Section 6 of the 1919Act also provided for refund4 to the Stnte HighWay C~nmiasLon "of' riloney paid the State throu;;hthe Game, Fish and Oyeter 

### Commlaalonfor **sand, grovel**  and **8h311** used by the State Hlghney Conuniaelon on public roads." This 1925 arPendmentof Sea. b of the 1919 Act ~84 brou&t forward in the 1925 codlflaatlon a8Article 4053d, quoted above.

**Article8** 4051, **4352**and 4053, quoted above, have not been rPsteriallychanged 

### rriaae they vepB enacted in 1919 aa a part of chapter 74, Osneral **Lw8,** 36th. Legis., Bscond Called Session.

It **appearm** froa the foregoing revlev of the hietory of the above quoted article4
, that minhnum priCe provlalona for the eale of rand,marl, etc. vore firtt enacted a4 a part of the 1911 Act and that the **exaot** language of 

### the f'lrst sentence of Artiole 40536, quoted above,va4 lncorporatod tn the 1919 Act. **A4** 

### a part Of the 1919 Act **alSO va8**  the lmguage


### nov lncor?orated **81** the **Isat sentence**  **of Article**  **4053, stating**  that "no special prtvilege **or** exaluslve right ahatl be granted to any person, a44oclatlon of per4ona, corporate or othervla8, to take or carry away any marl, gravel, 4an-d,sh811 or mudehell from any territory or to othervito operate In or upon any island, reef, ba7, lake, **river,** this act.‘I creek or bayou inClUd8d in

That the 144uance OS a psrnlt to the Lover Colorado Rfver Authorltg to 

### removasand and grcvel'frcm atate property without charge ~a4 a privilege can hardly be denied. It **vli4**

a privilege that, under the artiolos quoted above, could only be 

### grantedto a county or a aubd%viaionof a cOunt7, city or 

### tovnvhen the sand and gravel va4 for a48 in building a road or street end vhen the vork vae being done bg *suchmunlclyallty” ltrelf and not by contract. **Art.** 4054. The LovelrColorado RLver Authorlt7 is a governmental agency and ltaBoard OS Dlroator4 la a State Board, Lover Colorado RivsrAuthority vs. Mccrav, 125 Teex,268, **83** 9. Ii,(2) 629, but ther8 la **no** provlslon in **the** act of it8 creationglvlng it authority to use sand **and** gravel from gtato propertywithout charge. Article **8194,** et **seq.,** '@Z'llOA'S **&lllOt4t4d civil**  **St4tUt44.** Even the State Hlghvay Commlsslon vhen~building public road4 vith state funds met pay the 

### nlnlmwn tax of 44 per ton and make application for ~refunds**iA** tha manner pretcrlbed for cltlea and countler. **Art.** 40536. The statute4 above quoted arust be con-

### 615

O'ime,Biah and Oycter cc#arpLS41OA - Fa&e 10

titruedtogether 45~~8 

### theyrulate 

### to the amt9aubjactaf le@alat5oA and vere IA their prinolpal prowla~onsparts of the B&IIQ

Act. 

### 33Tex.Sur. 253. ifouevar, VB fQldno umbfgUtty Or ilICOA454teACy in th8tr jUWikiOA4 vhethar they urfz consfdared aep%r%felyar toðer. &%lcle 

### 4053glvae the OQme, giah and **oyster** Co~~~Usaion a dlscretlon **in** debermfn5Ag whether to 588ue 0 peruit.~'Izt, mulct be sctisftsd (1) that the **tuklng,** 

### csrrylngawayor **dirrtwblng of**  **the** 14~1, &ravel, 4hell4, or aatdah411**in** the dermted territoryvould not

### cand,
damage or iajur5oully

### affectany oyotero, oyeter **bcdu,** fleh inhabitlAgvater& thereof or rdjacont thereto, (2) that.such o&?S'etlon

vould **AOt** damsEe or ~AjUr5OU8ly sffect any **islsnd,** reef, bar, chhennel, P~VBP, creek or bayou used for lrequant
or occaalo~alnav5gatlan,nor 

### (3)that tush opwutlon would not change or othervite 5~jurioualyafreat img.,-cwrentthat vould alfeetAavlgatlon. -i73,t;+liWFts

d56tZetioA. The4e 

### are thenratters~thst ure pieced **Art..** 

### 4053. ct **Could pefure**  **a pernit**  **on** ang orw or all of t&me yruunds p,o mtter hov much the apyllcantvas vlflinp;to pan but 5~ ha8 AO diearetion 5.~ d8t4rI!d&Lng vhether 

### orAot to cherge'themZn54mm RrfCa of 4 PQF toA 

### uhenaxid. graveletc.vu& beingremoved and appropriatedtr the ap~llcont. There map be ca8e4where the perm5t vould authorize opamt5oA8 **on the**  **Stata ’** **r** property vhlch **Vould** AOt l~volvs~ataklly 

### or approprlatfonof the aend, gravel, etc. oi comaerclal value. **IA** suoh caue tho **Ccpp~OVld** Of the Qovernor **to** the lesuance Of the permit vould Aot be Aeceaoary beuauw AD atie 54 involved

### or aontewlatad. Thi4 vea not true, hoveww, LA regard to ths permit kaeued to the Lover Colorado R5veP Autborlty. 

### Them the aaad Qnd gravelvu reamed tram ***bSPB** in the Colorado aAd Wane Riveman and, u4 ve understand **th%** f'act4, wed in aonatruct~ **dams**and **other** propertie **bslonglng** to thu L. C. R. A.

The lmgusge of the ebovs quoted statutea cannot, lo
our oginloa,bs coAstru6.d aa glvhg the 08&w, plsh **4nd Oy8ter**  **ckmmla4fox**

aiecretfon **In iaaufrrg**  **pttrmfta for**  **tha sale**  **or** 

### and end graVo1 to permA% AOt **nutued**ia the Act for lee8 than Y per t-. &ut 4~812lf 

### the atatutarvur4 not claar on **thie** pain ati

a **connrtructlon** veF4 ~4oes%my, VB vould hold that the **Cc3m4laal~r1** did not have this diucrotion 5n view of **the** character and legal fl54tOry

Of the Stats property iAVo~VUd.

The bed8 of Iaavlgablerivers are the 8ama specie4 of state property a6 lrh.r~Ifi and t&o shores of the am. UAder the 'Cl1111

L&V Md the aommo~ **18U**a8 **appllrd in**  **TeWb4, thl4**  **char** acter of

### property

vas In a pecUrr 48~46 **hold by**  **ths goverxuamt**  ln trwt for the ~4: **pnd** btvmfft **of** all **bbs maple**  **aad YES** never subject to location an& **ati4 86**  "publle laAd4*. Robert4 **V. “** **FFOPL it8**  oerllsbt **hidory** this otate haa Mnowwed it6 public policy that lands underlying navigable vatera 6~0 held in

## trust by the ctate Ior the we and benefit of all'tho people. Roabaro

va Piaton, 12 Ttrx.Clv. APP. 113, 34 s. w. 792, S. Ii,1033, and caeee cited therein; -dry V. Ro-- b&eon, 110 Pex. 295, 219 83. 6191 SQmea v. Paokard **92 TeX.**  **44, 45**  **8. W.**  **562.**

“The rule is also flmly establlahed that 1-d under mtvigable vaters paeseaby grant or sale oriiy 

## vhe~ 80 expressly provided far by the eoverefgn authority, and there irr no pre8umption

## that there has bven ~AJ aat of the gOV8I’AEMAt Vhich could **bav4** the ettect of pa6alng away **its** tltlo. Ho pouer under the law tr given the surveyor OF the land compaiasioner = to **gPRAt** soil wader navigable watera., and **no** rubsequent recognition 

### or aonlbaRtlon by the lsad oomaireionw of a ourvey mad6 to paee eoli uAder **euah** vatera will be premmed. Rorborough v. PietOA, 12 Tex. Civ. 

### App. L13, 34 8. U. 791, 43 3.

### W. 10331 City of Cmlveston v. nenard, 23 Tarx.349; G~lmston City SurS Bath- Co. v. Reldenhslmr, 6) Tex. 562; Arnold v. nuAay, 6 P. b. Lav, 1, 10 Am. WC. 356; ‘i4tuav. sawyer, 29 y. C. laavks) 226; Martia v.Wddell, 16 Pet. 369, lo L. lid.997.

nhat case hold thet thenorth Pork of Red River 

### was a navlgablo 

### 8trsu. The test for 

### dstemulnlng VhetheF 

### the bed or charmel oi a rtmmm lo utats property Is whether or not the atream Is nwigable under ArtLcb 5302,Vernon~o Ann. Civil 8tatutea. rf 4 streaa “mteiA8 a~ average vldth of thirty feet from the mouth up” (Art. 5302) to the point under inquiry, its bed belongs to the State mgardlew~ of vhen the riporian leads w&w6&p%mod and 8veA though at the time of inquiry the river my AOt **h4V4** 0 

### drop **Of water**  **l.5 it.**  Dlvea8lan Lake Club v. Ileath,126 Tex, 129, 66 Wry v ,“;;t;y2’i”~;
Uhittenburg 0. State, 157 8. W. (2d)b91, error retwed.

### 617

w.me, Flrh f&d Oyster comnL8sI~n - Page 12

The 

### poverof the legirlatwe to defermIne by **atatute** 

### thedlaporil&m to be made of the 

### bedsor channe'la of mivlgable stream and thefr produotr is **AOW**reeognlrcod.'State v. Black Broe. llti

TSX. 615, 2%' S. U. 213, 53 A.L,R. 1281s Stephenson v. wood, 119 T. 564r 34 S.W. (2) 240. In o~lalon
ao. O-4329, approvedApril 1, 1942, this departmfmt rulad that R. B. 9, **Aat** 46th. Legirl&tUe (1939)RW Article 5421c, vernon'r &A. fXvl.l Statute, did not ui'feat~or impair the authority of the &me, Floh and Oyster ComnXtalozlto administer the sale of marl, gravel, sand, ohell and amdahell under the 

### provlalonsof Chapter 3, 

### lltlo~67,Article4051, et PIBU., R.B. 1925.

**prior** to the 1919Act, diecuosed above, all reeeiberk of the public had the right to take sand and 

### $ravelfrom the **be&z of**  **navi~abla** rivers in this State. IQ Ooer v. CLty of Roeonberg (lg@), 115 8. Y. 653, the Oalveeton CoWt of Clvll Appeals 

### In **an** optnlonby **Pleaaants, C.**  **J.,** held that the City of RooenberE had 

### AO autholrityto prevent the public fXWa taking gxavel **out of**  that **pert of**  tho **bed of**  the Bracoa River

### which adjoined that city. The Court said8

*IA 40 far ss the gravel vhich hatl

## ~~uaailat0a in the bed cf the river io concerned,vhI1.s**appsllbnt,** (a rlparlunwrier) hatr no 

### f3xclualVe

right to rwioV0 and appropriate saw, he haa e@zkL rZght$ with other eltlseas **therein,** bnd 

### ao 1~ 

### ashe doe8 not lnterfere

### vltb thorightsof others 

### in aafd gravel. he 

### cannotbe restretied fma the iMer?tiae Of the ?lghtS
comeon to him and other citleena."

In th0 reoent ofise of @.go Broe. v.Vhit0mux, 139 Tex.

322, lb3 8).

Y. **(26)** 636, itvaa held that a band and **gravsl** ease, like en 

### 011 leaau, veot8d in 

### the lerree a detsralneble fee to thu wind end gravel nil and under the land. It wae further held in that 

### a880that the 0vner*0 miedy 

## r02-b-a aad grtive;l vron@ally ooAvortedunder

## bntivfdia lease **vb~** an aatlori for demsgsr to the, **extent** orpthe 

### lo%8 euffered.

**Ve** are of the oplnldn that **APticlea** 4051~4054, **above** Quoted, do not authorize the Owe, Plah am!l Oyster colaarieslon **to** make 

### a sand and gravel lease. The last sentexace of’ Article 4053, provldlni:that "Ro

. . . exclusive right shall be &ranted to any person, aaaoaiatlon of pcroone, corporate or otheswlse" foPbbids

a aale of aSad aad grav61 in plbc4. under ths male of etrlc> ~.~tructlon of grbnts of Dover for **dlapo~izq** OF tNa apecie&,of.e'tate

property a8 laid doun Lo the cases OS Roberts

.

### 618

Qaue, Fish and Oy%t%r Coml6elon - Page 

### I.3

vs. Terr811,DeMerltt v. Robison and gtste v, ijradford,oited above, ~8 are of the 

### @nion that the only authority the &we, Fish Mb Oyst%r **COBBaiB8iOn** h6a **t0** p%rmlt the tRkiD& and **earryine** away of 8-d and gr%v%l of ~0namrol81 v%l.ut fironState-owned river beds 1% through the lsauanco by %nd with the consent of th% Oovernor of’a ,non-sxclualvsfi trmlt providing for pagmcnt to ths Cotantlseion

of not 1%~ then # per ton. See our oplnlons nos..O-2209 and **0-2209A,** vhlch uer6 lsaued to you on April 25, 1940 

### andWay 21, 1940.

It 1s V611 settled that the St&t6 cannotbe astopped **by** the note of its officer8 done fn the exarciaa of 6 povsr not 

### canfcrradupon them. 

### 34 Tsx. Jur. 462. The powers of Stste officersbeing i'lxed**by** law, 6ll geraons dealing vlth then 

### are chargedwith knowledge of the 

### extentof their authority 

### OP power to bin4 the State, %nd~%re bonnd, 

### at their

### psrf.1, to a8- certainvhethsr the contemplsted contrsctfe vZthir&

### th6pouter conferred. 

### 38 **vex. sur.**  **840. Blichols**  **v, State,**  **32 S.**  **W.** 

### 452,
errorrefused;FortWorth Cavalry Club 

### v. shsppard,**125 Tex.**  

### 339, 83 s. w. (2) 6601 **state** v. x%&land Cllnlc Hospital, 

### 138 Tex. 

### 393,159 8.W. (26)105. 

### The COt8lI$iS6iOA,haVia(5 8XCO%d%dit6 authority ia lsaulng a permit t0.L.C.R.A. to 

### teke 8and %nd grevel of cownerclalvalue ulthout 

### oharge, the **pBlYl&t w&a**  

### voidend th% Stats u6y non 8afOZ'C8 paysmat bp L.C.R,A. Of the **Vahe** 

### of the sand md gr%v%l, vhich ve8 vrongfullg Q&en, State **V.** 

### b@Ck6n, 162 S.Y. u60, error refuused; 

### Statev. B&udford,**121** 

### Tex. 515, 50 8. W.~(2dj.1065;Fort worth **Cavslryclub v.**  **Sheppard, 125** 


### ma. 339,83 s.w. (26 

### 5'2, 1638.W. (26)63 b 6601 and saga Br?a. v. Uhlt%uB=?,

### 139Tex. “

We **acoordirigly** 

### aneww **your rirst**  **qU8BtlOSl** iA thenega**tiV8.** f.8to your.arcond queatlon, ~0 suggest that you ascertain f’rorn any avall+ble 8~1~88 and through the e.Xercls% of your 

### statutory

paversthc~amountOS oandend@avel which has b88n vrongfully taken by L. C. R. A. **from** rlvar bed8 **belonging** to the strte by virtue of the 

### invalIdpemlt andm&e demandon,L. C. R. **A** for~payment OS the valus of ruah %and and gravel et the estebl&eh%d price (otnot less than b$ 8 ton) for vhlch 

### the Co~nniseloa va8 selling 88nd 

### &ad&ravel&t the tiS6 or the VPongfti taking.

Truetlng that the Sor%&~,oing 

### %n?iVer%

your tnquirlecr,

we **are**