Waterfront Recreational Properties and Vacation Rentals

The ROCKHOUSE on Famous Hat Creek

Hat Creek

I just came across an announcement about a unique home on Hat Creek that is available for short term vacation rentals.  It is called the ROCKHOUSE, and sits on 1/2 mile of Hat Creek.  Here is a link to the listing on the internet:  ROCKHOUSE ON FAMOUS HAT CREEK.  A vacation rental in this or other recreational areas would be a terrific way to get to know an area in which you may be considering a purchase of a vacation home.  An excellent resource to find such properties is Vacation Rental by Owner, or VRBO.  These are individually owned properties that are available for short term vacation rentals.  I have utilized this service several times, and have had only good experiences.  The homes usually have little guest-comment books in them which offer great tips about what to see and do, and it gives you a local perspective and contacts that a hotel in town will never be able to match.  Check it out and let me know if you find any good places to recommend to others!

Lisa Collins
Is a Realtor in Northern California
Specializing in Riverfront Property

Lisa@ReddingRiverQueen.com
530-953-8542
www.ReddingRiverQueen.com

Clean Water Restoration Act or Federal Land Grab?

“He who controls the water, controls life!”  It’s been said in many ways, by many people from Shakespeare to Bruce Babbitt, and the truth of it is indisputable.  Senate Bill S.787 was introduced on April 2, 2009 by Senator Russell Feingold (D) Wisconsin.

I will provide links at the end of this article so you can read it for yourself, but the essence of the bill is that control of virtually all water in our country (including streams, intermittent streams, mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, and playa lakes) will be handed over to the government of the United States.  This means that if you have any kind of water on your property, they will have the right to tell you what you can and can’t do with your property, and perhaps charge you accordingly!  If you think the US Government is the best protector of  this precious resource, then sit back and do nothing.  But if you think maybe, just maybe, property owners have the right, intelligence, and capability of taking better care of their own property – then you might want to take note of this alarming development.

The title of this Bill makes it sound like something that anyone should be in favor of – but the devil is in the details – please take a moment to consider all the implications that come with this action!

The Library of Congress, Thomas List: Bill S.787

Full Text of Bill S.787

Summary and Status of Bill S.787

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Lisa Collins
Is a Realtor in Northern California
Specializing in Riverfront Property

Lisa@ReddingRiverQueen.com
530-953-8542
www.ReddingRiverQueen.com

Cartoon courtesy of The Westerner Blog Spot

Reading the Water in North State Riverfront Property

It’s been an interesting year everywhere, and Riverfront Property is no exception.  There have not been many sales, but there have been a few.  There are some terrific opportunities out there, but the buyers are still staying in the shadows, for the most part.  The only lure that will coax them out is a screaming deal, and the people that are selling these special properties can, and will, hold on to them rather than let them go for huge discounts.  So, the sellers are casting surface dries, and the buyers are bottom feeding for nymphs!  Following is a recap of the current available riverfront properties in the North State, and a review of what has sold since January 1st, 2009:

Even Pre-1914 Water Rights At Risk If Drought Continues

You have probably heard that farmers and ranchers are facing some drastic times if the water shortage continues.  But did you realize that the State Water Resources Control Board has officially given notice that anyone who is currently enjoying water rights – whether the general riparian rights of a waterfront landowner, or the coveted pre-1914 unlimited rights – may be in line for government restriction!  Here is the letter, dated February 26, 2009, sent out by the Deputy Director for Water Rights, Victoria A. Whitney:

BOAT DOCKS ON THE RIVER

Don’t assume that you can install a dock on any riverfront property you buy. The Fish & Game Department, Army Corp. of Engineers, and Water Quality Control Board have very strict regulations about what you can and can’t put in and around the river these days! This is one reason the older homes on the river (whose existing docks may be grandfathered-in) are attractive.

ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE PROPER AUTHORITIES BEFORE ASSUMING ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS TO THE RIVER!

See links below.

California Department of Boating and Waterways Boating Facilities Division LAYOUT, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION HANDBOOK FOR SMALL CRAFT BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITIES March 1991

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Permit Page See General Application #23

Army Corp of Engineers Dock Permit Application. General Application #23.

Dept. of Fish & Game Application Package Site

Dept. of Fish & Game Notification Package

Water Quality Control Board

Lisa Collins
Is a Realtor in Northern California
Specializing in Riverfront Property

Lisa@ReddingRiverQueen.com
530-953-8542
www.ReddingRiverQueen.com