Legal Definitions - strand

In a legal context, a strand refers to the land that immediately borders a body of water, such as an ocean, lake, river, or stream. It is essentially the shoreline or bank where the land meets the water.

• Property Boundary Dispute: A legal case arises when two landowners dispute the exact boundary of their properties along a winding river. One owner claims the other is building a fence too close to the water, encroaching on the shared riverfront. The court would need to determine the precise location of the "strand" to establish the legal boundary and resolve the dispute over who has rights to that specific strip of land next to the river.

• Environmental Protection Zones: Local environmental regulations might prohibit the construction of permanent structures within a certain number of feet from the high-water mark of a designated natural lake. This restriction is designed to protect the delicate ecosystem of the lake's "strand," preventing erosion, preserving natural habitats, and maintaining water quality by limiting human impact directly on the shoreline.

• Public Access Rights: In some jurisdictions, laws ensure that the public has a right to access and traverse the land immediately adjacent to the ocean, even if the adjacent upland property is privately owned. This public right of way applies specifically to the "strand" of the ocean, allowing people to walk along the beach between the water and the private property line, ensuring coastal areas remain accessible for recreational purposes.