Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Agribusiness Practice Test

Under the Riparian Doctrine, who holds private water rights?

1. Anyone in the community

2. Landowners near natural water bodies

3. The state government

4. All landowners in the same county

The correct answer is: Landowners near natural water bodies

The Riparian Doctrine provides that water rights are tied to the ownership of land adjacent to a natural water source, such as rivers or lakes. Under this doctrine, only landowners who possess property that directly borders these water bodies have the legal rights to use the water, in proportion to the amount of land they own. This means that individuals who own land near these natural water bodies are afforded specific rights to access and utilize the water for purposes such as irrigation or household use, as long as their actions do not materially harm the rights of other riparian landowners. This principle is rooted in the idea of shared access among those who own land next to the water, promoting equality while also considering the sustainable use of water resources. Other options referenced in the question do not align with the Riparian Doctrine's focus on land ownership as the basis for water rights. For instance, the idea that anyone in the community could claim these rights would not hold under this legally binding doctrine, nor would assigning rights to all landowners in the same county or placing them under the state government’s control accurately reflect the individualized and location-specific nature of riparian rights.