A Florida man has been commanded by a federal court to dismantle his makeshift abode—a modified shipping container atop floating docks—illegally moored on Lake Worth Lagoon, a stone's throw from Palm Beach's manicured shores. Accused of flouting the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA), Fane Lozman must now remove the unauthorized structure, which he had equipped with domestic comforts including windows, doors, and a rooftop deck, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Lozman's aquatic homestead, subject of a 2021 complaint, has been a thorn in the side of local authority, persisting within the lagoon's navigable waters without permission, the office reported. Despite Lozman's efforts to shift the setup across different spots in the lagoon, incidents, included the structure coming unmoored and taking an unscheduled voyage to a public park beach. The floating docks, collectively tipping the scales at over 100,000 pounds, have also had their share of mishaps, including one dock splitting apart.

Lake Worth Lagoon is no mere pond but a vital estuary stretching some 21 miles and brimming with both commercial and recreational activity. Bearing the weight of unauthorized structures, such as Lozman's container home, threatens the integrity and safety of these navigable waters, a risk the federal government is unwilling to overlook. "Prompt enforcement action to remove unauthorized structures is needed to protect persons and commerce in navigable U.S. waters," declared U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe in a statement.

Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division underscored the point, noting, "Building or placing structures in navigable U.S. waters without authorization is a violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act." He warned that such unlawful structures could pose, "increased risks of harm to others, as in this case." The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Jacksonville District, tasked with safeguarding the nation's waterways, has been a key player in bringing this enforcement action to fruition, working alongside the Justice Department to address violations and ensure compliance.

As the tale of Lozman's floating domicile reaches its denouement, with removal operations impending, regulators continue their vigil over the nation's waters. If the public should spy suspect activities akin to Lozman's, they are encouraged to reach out to the Jacksonville District’s enforcement team. The takeaway from this episode is clear: navigable waters are not the new frontiers for alternative housing experiments.