Arnold v. Mundy
Arnold v. Mundy was a case decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court in November 1821. It has had an influence on envivronmental law to this day.
The case involved citizens who wished to continue the practice of harvesting oysters from the banks of tidal estuaries. These were opposed to oyster farmers who claimed that the beds of oysters were their own property. They had invested some time and effort developing the aquaculture and improving the oyster beds. The court ruled that property rights only extend to the low water mark of tidal navigable rivers, affirming the right of everyone to access those areas.