Question

The owner of a secluded area adjacent to an ocean noticed that people from town walked along the shore in front of his property. The owner learned that the local citizens had been walking along this beach for several years. He went to court to try to stop people from walking along the water's edge in front of his property. The owner is likely to be

A)successful because the owner's property extends to the low-water mark.
B)successful because the owner can control access to his own property.
C)unsuccessful because the local citizens have been doing this for years and thus have an easement.
D)unsuccessful because the owner's property extends only to the high-water mark and the public may use the land beyond this point.

Answer 1

The owner is likely to be unsuccessful because the owner's property extends only to the high-water mark and the public may use the land beyond this point.

Step-by-step explanation:

The owner of the secluded area adjacent to the ocean is likely to be unsuccessful in his attempt to stop people from walking along the water's edge in front of his property. This is because the owner's property generally extends only to the high-water mark, and the public may use the land beyond this point. In many countries, there are laws that allow public access to the foreshore or beach below the high-water mark, known as the public trust doctrine. Therefore, the owner cannot prevent people from walking along this beach.