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Practice Of Real EstateState SpecificEASY

Under North Dakota water law, the doctrine that governs the right to divert and use surface water from streams and rivers is best described as which of the following?

Correct Answer

B) Prior appropriation doctrine, which allocates water rights based on priority of beneficial use

North Dakota follows the prior appropriation doctrine for surface water rights. Under this system, water rights are allocated based on the principle of 'first in time, first in right' — the person who first put the water to beneficial use holds the senior water right. The North Dakota State Water Commission administers this system, and appropriation permits are required for most non-exempt water uses. This is a critical state-specific topic because North Dakota's agricultural and energy economy makes water rights a frequent issue in real property transactions.

Answer Options
A
Riparian rights doctrine, which grants water use rights to all adjacent landowners equally
B
Prior appropriation doctrine, which allocates water rights based on priority of beneficial use
C
Correlative rights doctrine, which requires all users to share water proportionally during shortages
D
Absolute ownership doctrine, which allows landowners to capture all water beneath their property

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

water_rightsprior_appropriationsurface_waternorth_dakota_special_topics

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