What is the doctrine of water appropriation?

The doctrine of water appropriation is a legal principle established in Florida water law that establishes the right of individuals and businesses to take control of and use surface water resources. This doctrine was established to ensure that freshwater resources are used responsibly and in a way that respects the rights of other users. This doctrine of water appropriation states that the first user of the water resource has a priority over other users regardless of when the other users took control of their water source. The doctrine also establishes that all users of water must show evidence of their right to use surface water resources. This means that the user must prove their prior appropriation or use of the water resource. In other words, users must show evidence of their right to use the water resource by providing a valid permit that gives them legal access. The doctrine of water appropriation also requires that all users of a water resource use it responsibly and conserve it, so that future generations will have access to the same resource. This applies to all users of a water resource, from recreational users to commercial users. If a user is not utilizing the water in an effective and environmentally responsible way, the right may be revoked and another user may be issued a permit to use the resource.

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What is the doctrine of water appropriation?

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