That's why it's illegal to collect rainwater in some states
You will not just wet. You could be sentenced to a fine or imprisoned.
Anybodylove rainwater. This is why umbrellas and impermeable exist and why most people take in-depth measures to stay inside when they come out outside. However, if you, for some reason, I wanted not only to experience the rain, but keep them for yourself, you could end up with the wrong side of the law. This is because, strangely, collect rainwater is actually illegal in some states.
According toThe Washington PostThis comes up to a concept called "anterior appropriation". Also known as "First Arrival, First Served", it is a former policy that goes back to the gold rush when prospectors crossed the country to pan, gold in California streams. Minors would use water to accelerate the process, often employing a method called "hydraulic mining", which could affect the environment by creating enormous water resources requirements in the dry area.
In order to continue their aspirations to dig into gold, the miners digs channels that have siphoned water from sources that can be miles. They created a rule that was postponed from mining principles: the first to dig its canal was entitled to all the water this way. So, the first come, first served.
Shortly after that, other Western states have begun to regulate this procedure and the water has been treated as its own separate property. Possess land did not involve that you owned the water that came with it. And the rest is in history. At least that's how the story goes.
In 2012, this issue of the illicit rainfall collection took the attention of the renewed public when Gary Harrington, aged 64, was sentenced to 30 days in prison after illegally collected rainwater on his own property in Oregon. It sounds crazy, but the problem went a little further than most of the titles involved.
Gary's imprisonment did not have to do with theactto collect rainwater but thevolume: He gathered a shocking value of 20 Olympic pools. According toGuidance of health, Harrington used dams up to 20 feet high to collect rainwater on 40 acres. He then added trout, boats and wharves and used them for recreational fishing. The reason for its arrest was because of "diversion of water". The laws against the diversion of the water exist forthe environmental Protection.
So now, you know why it is illegal to collect rainwater in some states. Knowledge is power and, hopefully, will keep you out of trouble. And for more ridiculous rules that are actually on books, learn all aboutThe 47 strangest laws around the world.
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