Hey Westerners - does something about this sound fishy to you?

[hedgehog]

Describing one of McCain's ranch houses:

everyone who sees it says they would never expect to find such a beautiful place in such an arid climate.” He added that McCain’s ranch is “one of the most spectacular creekfront properties in the state. Lush lawns go from their house gently down to the water’s edge. The creek makes a natural pool there.


http://www.mccainvminnesota.com/cribs.html


I'm wondering if someone is getting more water than other people on the creek.

[ben_meyers]

1. Arizona has very strict water rights laws

In Arizona water rights are governed by the "prior appropriation" doctrine, under which rights are derived from the first use of water rather than ownership of riparian property.(riparian defined as water adjacent to the property) If someone bought land on a creek and simply let it flow past someone else could acquire a right to that water by putting it to use, if not the right remains in force unless the right-holder abandons the use of the water. Prior appropriation rights are usually transferred with a property, but can be sold or otherwise conveyed. It is likely McCain purchased the property with the existing water rights intact and would be governed by "prior appropriation" doctrine.

BTW, this is a question on the State of Arizona Real Estate license test in case you are wondering why anyone would know it.

Pick up the phone, give me a call!!! (oops, going into my sales pitch there)

[hedgehog]

2. I figured the law was as you described. I'm just wondering how

the McCain's acquired the rights. I would imagine using that much water for a lawn must be pretty pricey.

[blondeatlast]

3. That there's a LAWN leading from the gorgeous Oak Creek up to his house is

revolting enough. No taste, no sense of propriety, no appreciation for nature. :mad:

I'm a lifetime Arizonan and Oak Creek is one of my favorite places. If nothing else, the McSame's HAVE NO TASTE.