Guess what? If local law enforcement is notified of a sunken drift boat, there is *NO* salvage-right law in effect for inland waters like there is off-shore. I don't care what the time interval is: One day, seven days or seven years---if you pick up gear that doesn't belong to you on a river without the intent of returning it to it's rightfull owner or the law, you are comiting a felony.

Don't get me wrong, in no way do I mean to implicate anyone of such an act without proof, but there is a common misconception of what is legal and acceptable among the populus where this is concerned.

I believe the water has to be under the clasification of "navigable water" . I could be wrong though?

Sol is correct. There is no salvage law in fresh water, period. What is happening in this case, and in many simialr cases around Forks, is theft. A boat under water and unrecovered is no different that an automobile on the side of a road with a flat tire. It is the owners property and his responsibility to recover.

how about gillnets?
are they lost property?
or just plain litter?

:p