How does the public interest standard apply to public nuisance?

The public interest standard in the context of public nuisance emphasizes the collective impact of a nuisance on the entire community rather than just individual property owners. Public nuisance is primarily concerned with activities or conditions that interfere with the rights of the public at large, such as pollution or obstructing public ways. This broader perspective allows the law to address issues that affect the health, safety, or morals of a community, thereby prioritizing community welfare over individual grievances.

In contrast, focusing solely on the impact on individual property owners would not capture the essence of public nuisance, which is about collective harm. Similarly, while economic damages can be a consideration, the definition and assessment of public nuisance are not limited to financial impacts but rather to a wider assessment of how community life and public interests are affected. Ignoring community impact undermines the very purpose of the public interest standard, which is to advocate for the health and safety of the public. Hence, the focus on the community's well-being stands out as the correct application of the public interest standard in cases of public nuisance.