Property

Question 1

Under the riparian doctrine (favored in eastern states), water rights belong to the owners of the land that borders the watercourse (ie, riparians). A riparian may

Answer 1

make any reasonable use of water that does not unreasonably interfere with downstream use, 
and 
domestic ("natural") use of water trumps the commercial ("artificial") use of it.

Question 2

A property owner may proceed with plans for nonconforming use after a zoning change if he/she has a vested right in that use. A vested right exists if, at the time a zoning change takes effect, the property owner has :

Answer 2

(1) secured any necessary permits in good faith and (2) made substantial progress toward achieving the use