James Jefferson Jowers Sr., Andrew J. Anastos, Ben Williamson, Melanie Ruhlman, and Anthony Ruhlman, Appellants, V…

Summary

The South Carolina Supreme Court affirmed the circuit court’s summary‑judgment ruling, holding that the plaintiffs lacked standing and that their takings, due‑process, and public‑trust claims were not ripe for adjudication. The Court reasoned that the Surface Water Withdrawal Act does not deprive riparian owners of enforceable rights and that the State retains authority to protect public‑trust assets, rendering the dispute non‑justiciable.