Zappulla v. Crown

Vincent E. Zappulla and John A. Crown, Jr., are owners of adjoining tracts of land lying along the waters of Broad Creek, a navigable tributary of the Rappahannock River, in Middlesex County. Each owner claims riparian rights in the waters of the creek, as well as the right to use the underwater flats extending from their respective properties out to the line of navigability in the creek. This appeal presents the question whether the Marine Resources Commission (MRC), in granting a permit for the construction of piers, wharves, boat slips, and the like, has the authority to apportion the…