Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/529bv.pdf
Page Number: 805

529US3

Unit: $U57

[09-26-01 12:19:03] PAGES PGT: OPIN

730

PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL v. BABBITT

Syllabus

by allowing individuals to acquire a few livestock, obtain a permit for
conservation, and then effectively mothball the permit. However, the
remaining regulations, for livestock grazing use or suspended use, do
not encompass the situation that the ranchers describe. Pp. 745–748.
(c) Section 4120.3–2, which speciﬁes that title to permanent range im-
provements, such as fences, wells, and pipelines, made pursuant to coop-
erative agreements with the Government shall be in the name of the
United States, does not violate the Act. Nothing in the statute denies
the Secretary authority reasonably to decide when or whether to grant
title to those who make improvements. Any such person remains free
to negotiate the terms upon which he will make those improvements,
including how he might be compensated in the future for his work,
either by the Government or by those granted a Government permit.
Pp. 748–750.

167 F. 3d 1287, afﬁrmed.

Breyer, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. O’Connor,

J., ﬁled a concurring opinion, in which Thomas, J., joined, post, p. 750.

Timothy S. Bishop argued the cause for petitioners.
With him on the briefs were Steffen N. Johnson and Con-
stance E. Brooks.

Deputy Solicitor General Kneedler argued the cause for
respondents. With him on the brief were Solicitor General
Waxman, Assistant Attorney General Schiffer, David C.
Frederick, William B. Lazarus, and John D. Leshy.*

*Briefs of amici curiae urging reversal were ﬁled for the State of Wyo-
ming by Gay Woodhouse, Attorney General, Thomas J. Davidson, Deputy
Attorney General, and Theodore C. Preston, Assistant Attorney General;
for the Alameda Bookcliffs Ranch et al. by Karen Budd-Falen and Jeffrey
B. Teichert; for the Association of Rangeland Consultants by W. Alan
Schroeder; for the Farm Credit Institutions by William G. Myers III and
Marcy G. Glenn; for the Northwest Mining Association by William Perry
Pendley and Steven J. Lechner; for the Paciﬁc Legal Foundation et al.
by M. Reed Hopper; and for Congressman Don Young et al. by William
K. Kelley.

Briefs of amici curiae urging afﬁrmance were ﬁled for the Natural
Resources Defense Council et al. by Thomas D. Lustig; and for the Nature
Conservancy by W. Cullen Battle and Michael Dennis.