Document: 420 U.S. 515 95 S.Ct. 1155 43 L.Ed.2d 363 UNITED STATES, Plaintiff,v.State of MAINE et al. No. 35, Orig. Argued Feb. 24—25, 1975. Decided March 17, Syllabus The United States, to the exclusion defendant Atlantic Coastal held have sovereign rights over seabed and subsoil underlying Ocean, lying more than three geographical miles seaward from ordinary low-water mark outer limits inland coastal waters, extending edge Continental Shelf, that area, like adjacent coastline, being in domain Nation rather separate States. States v. California, 332 19, 67 1658, 91 L.Ed. 1889; Louisiana, 339 699, 70 918, 94 1221; Texas, 707, 1221. And this rule paramount offshore inhere Federal Government as an incident national sovereignty is confirmed by both Submerged Lands Act 1953 Outer Shelf 1953. Pp. 519-528. Brice M. Clagett, Washington, D.C., for defendants. Sol. Gen. Robert Bork, plaintiff. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 Seeking invoke jurisdiction Court under Art. III, § 2 Constitution, 28 U.S.C. 1251(b), April 1969 asked leave file a complaint against 13 bordering on Ocean—Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, York, Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, [Amicus Curiae Information page 516 intentionally omitted] Virginia, North Carolina, South Georgia, Florida.1 We granted file, 395 955, 89 2095, 23 743, June 16, 1969. asserted cause action each which alleged that: 3 '(T)he now entitled, State, exercise limit waters coast, continental shelf, purpose exploring area exploiting its natural resources.' 4 It was further claimed some right or title relevant interfering with therefore prayed decree be entered declaring such relief awarded might prove proper.2 5 defendants answered, generally denying proprietary beyond three-mile marginal sea. Each them, except Florida,3 itself, successor certain grantees Crown England (and case Holland), exclusive dominion control Ocean coastline asserting well any attempt interfere these would itself violate Constitution States.4 6 Without acting motion judgment filed there no material issue fact resolved, we order appointing Honorable Albert B. Maris Special Master referred him authority request pleadings, summon witnesses, take evidence submit reports he deem appropriate. 398 947, 90 1864, 26 286 (1970). Before Master, contended based 1889 (1947), 914, 1216 (1950), 1221 it entitled accordance motion. their cases were distinguishable prior event, Texas erroneously decided should overruled. They offered, received, voluminous documentary support claims that, contrary Court's decisions, they acquired adoption at time relinquished At conclusion proceeding before him, submitted Report (hereinafter Report) supports all respects, but extensive detailed exceptions. controversy us Report, exceptions it, briefs oral arguments parties. 7 In his concluded cases, deemed binding governed required Assuming, however, those open re-examination, went independently examine legal factual contentions without merit reaffirmed. 8 fully agree issues us. also decline overrule do. 9 supra, involved original brought seeking rights, Pacific State's waters. California claiming ownership disputed seabed. basis claim, described belt lay within historic boundaries State; 'that thirteen states lands navigable including seas; since admitted state 'equal footing' states, became vested lands.' U.S., 23, 1660. rejected California's claim. Colonies had not 'separately soil even if did acquire elements English revolution it.' Id., 31, S.Ct., 1665. As viewed our history, sea first accomplished National Moreover, hold 'protection (the sea) has been function external sovereignty,' id., 34, 1666, constitutional system ocean Government. 10 later actions confirm other one them. There Louisiana 27 into Gulf Mexico, claim admission Union, exercised question her legislature formally included 27-mile State. gave holding controlling emphasizing incidents sovereignty: 11 'As pointed out class litigation does turn conventional sense. colonies, never government. Protection are indeed functions sovereignty. pp. 31—34, pages 1664—1665, 1889. national, concern. interests, responsibilities, concerns involved. problems commerce, defense, relations powers, war peace focus there. must area.' 704, 916. 12 'no stronger colonies had,' 705, 917; theirs, way overriding 'the nation States,' ibid. A fortiori, same rule. companion case, again reaffirmed rationale State Union: 14 'If property, whatever may be, lies mark, use, disposition, management, involve interests responsibilities. That source it. Such decision applied Louisiana's case. result reached here various achieved. Unless Republic subordinated full power admission, practical effect subtraction favor Yet neither (United 31—32, 1889) nor enjoys advantage.' 719, 924. 15 correct concluding unless overruled, completely dispose States' here. These decisions considered expressly assertion arrangement disposition instance business 16 seriously contend error substantial independence, afterwards, grant succession Crown. Given dual decision, followed dispositive. Whatever interest immediately statehood, reading matter 'purely principle . allotted federal government foreign affairs defense' 'it necessarily follows, law, attributes powers sea.' 23. 17 unmistakably declares proposition. There, joining independent distance Mexico—boundaries Congress allegedly recognized when Union. deciding reject prestatehood Original On contrary, quite willing 'assume she only land riches held. words, assume then dominium imperium claims.' 717, 923. nevertheless survive becoming member 18 'When came ceased nation. She sister act concededly entailed relinquishment took place respects waging war, making treaties, defense shores, like. sole spokesman Nation. transfer States.' 717—718, 19 stood squarely conclusion; view, correctly read authorities, overruled foreclosing present efforts demonstrate understanding history 20 Assuming possibility, re-examine premise similar proceeded, admirable diligence lucidity, address historical presented aimed primarily establishing legitimate independence statehood new surrendered Master's ultimate view expressed essentially respects. 21 need retrace analysis evidence, firmly convinced undertake underpinnings explicated premise, indicated, repeated cases. embraced repudiated 1953, Stat. 29, 1301. legislation, true, transferred sea; wise inconsistent merely authority. said, 'did indicate not, subsequently enacted Act, riparian resources subject reservation regulation purposes navigation, international affairs.' 16. 'whether determine when, how, what agencies, domestic, oil sea, known hereafter discovered, exploited.' 1664. issue, declining speculate 'Congress, will execute bring about injustices subdivisions, persons pursuant permission.' 40, 1669. 22 defined released liability account income received leases respect sea.5 But authority, declared nothing 'shall affect portion outside sea), appertain confirmed.' 1302. 24 This declaration odds assertions So, too, provision limited (or marine leagues cases) whether extend farther ocean. 1301(b). course dealing reach impact said plainly impair validity admittedly applicable ..' 1, 7, 80 961, 967, 1025 (1960); see 83 n. 140, 967. said: 'It obvious could reserve shelf territorial states) upon already laid down case.' 19. 25 emphatically implemented few months 462, 1331 seq. Section 'declared (it) policy jurisdiction, control, provided subchapter.' 1332(a). proceeds set provisions leasing development Of course, parties precluded res judicata litigating doctrine stare decisis still powerful force jurisprudence; although occasion declared—and acted accordingly—that peculiar relevance context. apparent almost 30 years great deal public private transacted major legislation Congress, principal resolve 'interminable litigation' arising See H.R. Rep. 215, 83d Cong., 1st Sess., (1953), U.S.Code Cong. & Admin.News, p. 1385. Both soon proceeded premises established orderly resources. Since enacted, 33 lease sales held, 1,940 leases, embracing eight million acres, issued. yielded billion barrels oil, trillion m.c.f. gas, long tons sulfur, four salt.6 1973 alone, 1,081,000 8.9 cubic feet gas extracted daily Shelf.7 Exploitation implicates broad range ranging Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation incorporated recent Zone Management Act.8 sure inappropriate disturb many commercial activity9 calling question, date, decisions. add virtue reason notice body authortiative statutory, Neither putative lessees slightest misled. Judgment shall 29 So ordered. 31 DOUGLAS part consideration Connecticut made defendant, apparently because borders Long Island Sound, water demanded accounting sums derived question. recommends denied failure proof. recommendation, approve Florida 25, 1868, 73, approved maritime places thereby boundaries. answer Straits Mexico. Subsequently, between severed consolidated 9, Original, concerned 403 949, 950, 2272, 861 (1971). proceedings given number—No. 52, Original. 531, 1162, 375. Georgia additional special itself. rejection defenses, mentioned further. Alabama 347 272, 74 481, 98 689 (1954). S.Rep.No.93—1140, (1974). 5. 86 1280, 1451 (1970 ed., Supp. II). For summary affecting Oil Gas Development Zone, Senate Committee Commerce, Comm.Print 93d 2d 55—58 carries particular where re-examination overturn long-accepted practice. See, e.g., M'Gruder Bank Wheat. 170, 598, 602 (1824); Rock Spring Distilling Co. W. A. Gines Co., 246 312, 320, 38 327, 329, 62 738 (1918).

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