In the case of a corporation accused of polluting, what would make service by publication unreasonable?

Service by publication is typically used as a last resort when a party cannot be located for traditional service of process. In the context of a corporation accused of polluting, making service by publication unreasonable hinges on the availability of actual knowledge regarding the affected individuals.

If the corporation knows the names and addresses of the residents, it indicates that the corporation can provide proper notice to those individuals via direct means. This undermines the justification for resorting to service by publication, which is intended for cases where the defendant cannot be located. Proper notification through direct communication is always preferred since it ensures that the individuals receive the necessary legal documents and can respond appropriately.

Therefore, if the corporation possesses the necessary contact information for the affected residents, it would be unreasonable to use publication, as more effective methods of notification exist. Other factors listed, such as the location of the corporation or the number of residents affected, do not directly relate to the feasibility or reasonableness of service by publication in this specific context.