Doctrine of Reasonable Use

The Doctrine of Reasonable Use is a legal principle that balances property owners' rights to use their land with the need to prevent excessive or harmful use that could negatively impact neighbors or the environment. It allows property owners to make use of groundwater, water courses, or resources as long as their use is reasonable, considering factors like necessity, scale, and impact. If a use is deemed unreasonable or causes harm, courts can limit or restrict it to protect others' rights and promote fair, responsible resource management.