The Adjacent Landowner May

1. Apply for a permit to mow and underbrush property (permission to remove dead or hazardous trees may be approved under this permit).

2. Apply for a permit to perform shoreline erosion control work.

3. Apply for a water license to withdraw water and place a water line on government property. A contract must be obtained from the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA), P.O. Box 3464, Beaumont, Texas 77704, Phone: 409-892-4011, before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will issue a license.

The Adjacent Landowner Cannot:

1. Place personal property of any kind, including but not limited to boats, buildings, stairways, bird houses, tables, etc., on government property for more than 24 hours. Such actions may result in summary removal and impoundment of the property or other action. Portable (roll-away) docks are prohibited at all times.

2. Construct roads, buildings, or other items on government property.

3. Moor a boat or other floating device.

4. Restrict public use of this land verbally, by posting signs, by fencing, to the water, by erection of obstacles, or by other methods.

5. Drive vehicles (including ATV's and golf carts) to the lake, except at authorized access or launching points.

6. Camp on government land, except in designated areas.

7. Dump household garbage or other debris on government property.

8. Cut trees, clear brush or mow, (except as authorized under a mowing and underbrushing permit), dig , excavate channels, or otherwise deface or destroy government property.

9. Excavate, dig, alter, or remove cultural resources, including but not limited to pottery, pottery shards, arrow heads, bone, and tools.

Flowage Easement Land

Flowage easement land is privately-owned land between the government boundary line and the elevation contour on which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has purchased the right to flood. The typical flowage easement contour on Sam Rayburn Reservoir is 179' MSL however, in the upper reaches of the reservoir flowage easement land may run as high as 189' elevation contour. The concept of flowage easement allows you, the landowner, to make use of property which otherwise would have been purchased by the government. Therefore, flowage easement land is different than government-owned land.  The graphic below presents an example of the relationship between Government owned Fee Land and private land encumbered with a floweage easement.

The Landowner May:

1. Fence flowage easement to the government boundary line, and/or along the government boundary line at his/her discretion.   Any fence must be constructed so that lake water can flow through it.

2. Plant grass, shrubs, trees, or gardens on flowage easement at his/her discretion.

3. Mow, underbrush, or cut trees on flowage easement at his/her own discretion.

The Landowner Must:

1. Apply for a permit to construct or place storage buildings, fish cleaners, pump houses, garages, etc., on flowage easements. Houses, trailers, and other structures suitable for human habitation ARE NOT ALLOWED.

2. Apply for a permit to drill a water well or place utility lines on flowage easement.

The Landowner Cannot:

1. Construct or place any house, trailer, RV or other structure for human habitation, permanent or temporary, on flowage easement.

2. Dredge, fill or otherwise alter the land contours.

Permit Applications

a. Mowing and Underbrushing permit applications require an Application for Shoreline Use Permit (available at the project office), and a property plat showing the location of the proposed activity in relation to COE boundary line and monuments.

b. Shoreline Erosion Control permit applications require an Application for Shoreline Use Permit (available at the project office), a property plat showing the location of proposed construction in relation to COE boundary line and monuments and 164' elevation contour, and a plan showing detailed design and materials of proposed work. If excavation is required, a archeological survey is usually required.

c. Permit request such as water withdrawal permits that require excavation on government property will require an archeological review by this office, and may require a archeological survey.

Flowage easement permit applications must include

a. Application for Shoreline Use Permit.

b. Plat showing location of the proposed construction in relation to the flowage easement elevation contour and the COE boundary line and monuments.

c. Plan showing detailed design and materials of proposed building or construction.

d. In addition to the above three items, applications for roads on flowage easement should also include a plan showing the linear profile of the road and a typical cross-section of the road. Some of these items may be combined on the same sheet. Items a, b, and c, plus the LNVA contract are required for the water license.

Permit applications

Detailed requirements and any questions you may have should be addressed to Sam Rayburn Project Office, 7696 RR 255 W, Jasper, Texas, 75951-9598, or by phone at (409) 384-5716. Any correspondence should include a complete return address and phone number.  See below for e-mail information.