FL H1337

Land adjacent to canals used and maintained by the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District for 7 continuous years is deemed dedicated to the district as a maintenance easement, regardless of formal conveyance or appropriation.

Filing a certified map with the circuit court clerk showing the maintenance easement location constitutes prima facie evidence of the district's easement rights.

The district is authorized to issue permits to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves to construct and maintain recreational trails, including equestrian trails, within maintenance easements for public use.

District permits for perpetual public recreational trail use satisfy all current and future state grant requirements for property control by the town.

The law does not apply to electric utility facilities located on property otherwise subject to the maintenance easement provisions.