Riparian Doctrine Appropriation

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Water laws in the United States comply with one of three bylaws: Riparian Doctrine, Appropriation Doctrine, and Tribal Water Rights; these charters have varying consequences depending on region, historical residence and socioeconomic status. The Riparian Doctrine permits anyone whose land has frontage on a body of surface water to use that water (Ken Lecture Hydro 2/20). When water is scarce, all users are “curtailed proportionally” (Ken Lecture Hydro 2/20)--proportionally refers to the prior average consumption by a user. This doctrine was carried over from England and is primarily used on the east coast of the United States. It favors people who live along bodies of water but is biased against people who live further distances.
The Appropriation

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