Query v. Burgess

KITTREDGE, J.:

This is an action to determine title to real property. Appellant O. Grady Query brought a declaratory judgment action against respondents Carmen Burgess and the State of South Carolina seeking to establish ownership over certain marshlands abutting his Folly Beach property. The master found Query did not own the marshlands. The master concluded the State owned the marshlands based on the “public trust doctrine.” Query appeals, and we affirm. 1

I

Burgess, a Folly Beach property owner, asked Query, a fellow Folly Beach property owner, for permission to build a dock across certain…