Document: 484 U.S. 469 108 S.Ct. 791 98 L.Ed.2d 877 PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY and Cinque Bambini Partnership, Petitionersv.MISSISSIPPI Saga Petroleum U.S., Inc. No. 86-870. Argued Nov. 9, 1987. Decided Feb. 23, 1988. Rehearing Denied May 16, See 486 1018, 1760. Syllabus Petitioners hold record title to 42 acres of Mississippi land underlying a bayou number streams, which, although several miles north the Gulf Coast nonnavigable, are nonetheless influenced by tide since they adjacent tributary navigable river flowing into Mexico that is affected tide's ebb flow. brought quiet suit after State issued oil gas leases for property in question on theory it had acquired at time statehood held public trust all lying under any waters tide, whether or not. The Supreme Court affirmed Chancery Court's decision finding fee simple property, rejecting petitioners' contention only lands waters. Held: 1. Since States, upon entering Union, were given ownership over beneath subject influence—see, e.g., Shively v. Bowlby, 152 1, 14 548, 38 L.Ed. 331; Knight United States Land Assn., 142 161, 12 258, 35 974—the issue passed statehood, even though which lay not fact. Pp. 473-481. (a) Petitioners' that, English common-law rule, Crown's tidewaters actually rested navigability those rather than flow persuasive, cases relied petitioners did deal with tidal, nonnavigable waters, while supra, its progeny, clearly establish how this has interpreted common law. Although none latter dealt such as involved here, never suggested rule owned soil was anything less an accurate description governing 477-478. (b) subsequent from developing American doctrine make clear navigability—and tidal influence—has become sine qua non interest tidelands country, also persuasive. Propeller Genesee Chief Fitzhugh, How. 443, 13 1058, Barney Keokuk, 94 (4 Otto) 324, 24 224, extend admiralty jurisdiction freshwaters them, simultaneously withdraw coverage been consistently recognized being within doctrine's scope. 478-480. (c) position weakened their concession own bordering oceans, bays, estuaries. While obvious these part sea, them state ultimately, proof fact can be tide. Moreover, there difference degree between case, seashore no kind both types connected sea share geographical, chemical, environmental qualities unique. ebb-and-flow benefit uniformity, certainty, ease application, will abandoned now, lengthy history, favor one unpersuasive unsatisfactory alternatives offered petitioners. 480-481. 2. inequitable would upset various kinds expectations interests have matured joined Union without merit. By holding water includes "title tidewater," describing uses related navigability, unequivocally indicated State's claims tidelands, not, contrary cannot considered reasonable. Affirming judgment below titles coastal contend, but simply confirm prevailing rights having same other granted portion upland owners. Indeed, far more upsetting settled reverse ground scope limited many titles, interests, created basis rule. long titleholders, paid taxes question, divest ownership, law, could lost via adverse possession, laches, equitable doctrine. There reason here set aside general principle ceding development administration real law individual States. 481-484. 491 So.2d 508 (Miss.1986), affirmed. WHITE, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, JJ., joined. O'CONNOR, filed dissenting opinion, STEVENS SCALIA, joined, post, p. 485. KENNEDY, took consideration case. Eugene Gressman, Washington, D.C., Kathy D. Sones, Jackson, Miss., respondents. Justice WHITE Court. 1 Mississippi, when entered 1817, running Mexico, 2 * As eloquently put it: "Though great neither insignificant nor illegitimate private present conflict, end suit." Partnership State, 508, 510 (1986). More specifically, branch Bayou LaCroix 11 small drainage streams southwestern Mississippi; disputed tracts range one-half acre almost 10 size. lie navigable, because Jourdan River, stream Gulf. Jourdan, area Record petitioners, who trace back prestatehood Spanish grants. 3 however, claiming virtue "equal-footing doctrine" included issue. This suit, ensued. 4 affirming respect here,1 becoming "fee naturally influence, inland today's mean high mark. . ." Ibid. submission rejected. 5 We certiorari review decision, 479 1084, 107 1284, (1987), now affirm below. II 6 recognize, "seminal case jurisprudence [14 331] (1894)." Reply Brief 11. 331 (1894), Oregon grantee riparian near mouth Columbia River Astoria, Oregon, high-water Following extensive survey prior cases, courts, concluded: 7 "At dominion flowed King nation. Upon Revolution, rights, charged like trust, vested original respective borders, surrendered Constitution 8 9 "The new admitted adoption jurisdictions." Id., 57, S.Ct., 569. decisions similar, sweeping statements States' Association, 183, 264, 974 (1891), example, stated "[i]t court absolute in, sovereignty over, soils reserved behalf possess borders." On occasions, before since, restated words Shively.2 Against array surprising State. Other done much.3 Coastal Organization (representing States), brief support insisting thousands non-navigable disturbed if affirmed, navigability-in-fact test adopted. Original Amici Curiae 3-5, 26-27. rely early indicate claim 23-29. But established authority define limits recognize see fit. 26, 557. Some others 13—more dictates our trusts cases. n. 12, infra. Because some cite come (i.e., tidelands),4 value understanding relinquished Finally, we note nothing do navigation. For previously observed may used fishing—for "shell-fish [and] floating fish." See, Smith Maryland, 18 71, 75, 15 269 (1855). occasions reclaimed create urban expansion. E.g., Hardin Jordan, 140 371, 381-382, 808, 811-812, 428 (1891); Den Jersey Co., 426, 432, 757 (1854). restrictions planting harvesting oysters upheld. McCready Virginia, 391, 395-397, 248 (1877).5 It odd acknowledge diverse then suggest sole measure expanse them. Consequently, reaffirm long-standing precedents entry received Under well-established principles correct: "under tide-waters," therefore entrance Union. III deny broad opinions 19th century.6 Rather, advance two reasons why previous should apparent application 16 First, contend arise oddity geography. submit England practically rivers 19. 454, 1058 (1852). Thus, "tidewater" "navigability" synonyms Illinois Central R. Co. Illinois, 146 387, 436, 110, 111, 36 1018 (1892). view, Cf. ibid. commentators cited show Crown waters.7 opinions, Chief, Martin Waddell, Pet. 367, 413-414, 997 (1842), "the England, [which were] Crown" (emphasis added). 17 And enter debate what perfectly understood royal later be. discuss above, providing influence admission 2, supra. true therein—to effect tide—were B Petitioners, argument, does position, country. 19 How., 456-457, overruled influence. Thomas Jefferson, Wheat. 428, 429, 358 (1825). sharply criticize "ebb flow" inherited instead insisted quite emphatically different topography America—in particular, "thousands water[s] tide"—required "jurisdiction [be] made depend character water, tide." 457. Later, came "settled country" freshwater lakes federal navigation easement power Congress control Commerce Clause. 338, 224 (1877). 435-436, 111-112. 20 That bottoms tidelands. represents depart limiting In ex rel. Board Corvallis Sand & Gravel 429 363, 374, 97 582, 588, 50 550 (1977), recognizing accepted coming tidewaters, "extended nontidal nevertheless consistent [the Court's] earlier extension jurisdiction." 21 Keokuk extended read withdrawing scope: Mann Tacoma 153 273, 820, 714 (1894).8 C 22 observe least difficulties estuaries—even where areas means always shore. Tr. Oral Arg. 6. property; though, undoubtedly so long. 23 Admittedly, kind. end, tide-waters sea: river. Perhaps differ ways directly sea; nonetheless, still "geographical, chemical environmental" Kaiser Aetna 444 164, 100 383, 394, 62 332 (1979) (BLACKMUN, dissenting). find delineating boundaries supporting amici unsatisfactory.9 22-23, "uniformity eas[e] application." Cobb Davenport, 32 N.J.L. 369, 379 (1867). unwilling, history abandon seek fashion govern IV 25 passing, somewhat greater detail, complain "inequitable" "various [which] 1817."10 They developed reasonable based lands, (and predecessors-in-interest) century. 26 importance honoring interests. 175, 390. consequence "reasonable" ones. Here, appears tidewater." Rouse Saucier's Heirs, 166 Miss. 704, 713, So. 291, 291-292 (1933).11 acknowledged first faced So.2d, 516, unequivocal ample indication discussed described bathing, swimming, recreation, fishing, mineral development. Treuting Bridge Park Comm'n City Biloxi, 199 627, 632-633 (Miss.1967). These statements, too, waterways. Any 27 skeptical suggestions dissent, 485, 493, implications, either outside points out pending courts raises today doubtful ruling understanding—which Mississippi's, others, different. wrote 557, "there universal uniform subject; each borders according views justice policy." 28 intimated argument. 32. ----, matter owners ago.12 Our change here. 29 believe decision. note, see, California et al. 19, adjudicated tidelands—we know adjusted found only. If grants might invalid. 811-812. owners, retained right fish, hunt, bathe lands. long-established adopt urged 30 holders, outcome How facts transfer 521. Const., Art. 4, § 104; Gibson Comm'r, 374 212, 216-217 (Miss.1979); Bay St. Louis Supervisors Hancock County, 80 364, 371-372, 54 (1902). disturb "general proposition [that] is, Constitution, left develop administer." Hughes 389 290, 295, 88 438, 441, 530 (1967) (Stewart, concurring). Davies Warehouse Bowles, 321 144, 155, 64 474, 480, 635 (1944); Borax Consolidated, Ltd. Los Angeles, 296 10, 22, 56 29, (1935). considerations V 31 firmly determination became 1817. Furthermore, court's state-law developments Affirmed. 33 KENNEDY 34 whom SCALIA join, dissenting. Breaking chain reaches 150 years, announces disrupt landowners every Neither require result, I respectfully dissent undoing history. acknowledges, ante, 478, presents decided: holds tidally themselves body water. does, majority relies language tidewaters. concerned (1894) (Columbia Oregon), immediately (shallow Commencement Washington). Until today, discrete wholly properly viewed separate 37 my extends bodies inlets. defined repeatedly terms navigability. Utah Div. Lands 482 193, 2318, 96 162 (1987); Montana 450 544, 551, 101 1245, 1251, 67 493 (1981); 403 91 1775, 1776, 279 (1971); 295 14, 55 610, 615, 79 1267 (1935); Utah, 283 64, 51 440, 75 844 (1931); Holt Bank, 270 49, 54-55, 46 197, 198-199, 70 465 (1926); Brewer-Elliott Oil Gas 260 77, 84-85, 43 60, 63, (1922); Oklahoma Texas, 258 574, 583, 406, 410, 66 771 Pollard's Lessee Hagan, 230, 565 (1845). involve think tests apply saltwater freshwater. Navigability, ought hallmark trust. roots Traditionally, waterways highways public. M. Hale, De Jure Maris Brachiorum ejusdem, cap. iii (1667), reprinted Hall, Essay Rights Privileges Subject Sea Shores Realm, App. v (2d ed. 1875). arms "where flows reflows." iv, vii, ix. When sovereign governments succeeded King's borders. (1842). New equivalent equal-footing 228-229. Hence respondents effort ascertain extent 39 Unfortunately, late 18th centuries address influenced, Certainly public's fact, waterway Lord Mansfield explained: 40 "How appear river? reflowing so, places rivers; place creek estate." Mayor Lynn Turner, Cowp. 86, Eng.Rep. 980, 981 (K.B.1774). 41 British proved enduring. Rex Montague, B. C. 598, 602, 1183, 1184 (K.B.1825); S. Hobday, Coulson Forbes Law Waters 100-101 (6th 1952). appears, submerged coextensive Thus Murphy Ryan, Ir. R.-C. L. 143, (1868), explained unless Accord, Earl Ilchester Raishleigh, 61 L.T.R. (n.s.) 477, (Ch.1889); 102. navigable. describe proprietary pertaining underneath Smith, Dougl. 446, 99 283, 285 (K.B.1780); Advocate Scotland Hamilton, Macq. 46, 49 (H.L.1852); Le Roy Trinity House, Sid. 82 986 (K.B.1662). strongly suggests authorize makes way heritage. explain fundamental purpose preserve use transportation. "It indeed, susceptibility commerce gives sanction [navigable waterways], consequently exclusion them." Packer Bird, 137 661, 667, 210, 211, 819 (1891). 44 Similarly, emphasized "is founded necessity preserving interruption encroachment." 112, 45 commit transportation, fishing reclamation, exercise discretion enlarge Even reclamation. Nor superior identifying suited uses. protect commerce, parallel jurisdiction. ago defining jurisdiction, "purely artificial arbitrary well unjust." 457, irrelevant purposes facilitate times peace administer special rules war. 454. Subsequent constitute usual test, waters." Daniel Ball, Wall. 563, 999 (1871). 47 Having applied reasoning problem authorities entire passageways navigation, exercised advantage convenience." sweepingly concluded "had 443." McGilvra Ross, 215 70, 78, 27, 31, 95 (1909). context applies characterizes 48 evidenced belief 1953, Submerged Act, U.S.C. §§ 1301-1315. intended existing S.Rep. 133, 83d Cong., 1st Sess., pt. (1953); H.R.Rep. 1778, 80th 2d (1948); Bonelli Cattle Arizona, 414 313, 517, 525, 526 (1973). Act defines "lands waters" including "covered 1301(a)(2). definition self-contradictory. "tidal referring ocean. Senator Cordon explained, identifies "as upper want emphasized—outside Cong.Rec. 2632 (1953). evidence Congress' interpretation doctrine, entitled consideration. sum, analogy legislative term "navigable self-defining, however. must construed reference purposes, include boundaries. answered waterway, inch inch. ocean, certainly line Pacheco, 587, 590, 865 (1865); 376, 589, (1977). ocean shore ebbs flows. explains tidewaters: shores Mission Rock 189 404-405, 606, 608-609, (1903); imply, implies Missouri Mexico. along shore, removed little bayous doubts satisfactory devised distinguishing Ante, 481. adopts interconnected indirectly, remote inconsistent belong follow contiguous parts distant part. Conversely, exclude portions river, shallow banks. 52 short otherwise negligible part, boats use, non-navigable. particular characteristics non-navigability. 441 (footnote omitted). 53 574 [42 771] (1922) (applying identify Red Arkansas Rivers trust). To decide fact-specific distinguish connected, discrete, Field once headland "universal measurement waters," drew boundary dividing San Francisco Creek. 207, 273 (concurring opinion). Only controversy concerns cold legal shrift, illustrate unfortunate belated opportunistic. showed until 1970's. recorded deeds throughout period. Cert. 41a. 1973, Wetlands Protection Law. Miss.Code Ann. 49-27-1 49-27-69 (Supp.1987). statute directed Marine Resources Council prepare maps state-owned wetlands. maps, drawn aerial photographs, probable wetlands order aid agencies planning 49-27-65. Mineral Lease Commission decided issuing appeared leased 600 respondent holders title, complaint contested additional 1,800 area. 140.863 belonged Mississippi. appeal, reduced Mississippi's another account lakes. claimed consists slightly streams. 57 commercial None mile long; nameless. pressing sake facilitating traditional Instead, leasing party exploitation minerals. novel undertaking caused press radical expansion historical 58 dispossess blameless leaseholders predecessors reasonably believed lawfully theirs. concludes favoring disruptive, assumption 483. ascertain, matter, assumptions about underlie titles. What majority's expectations. test. Revolution. 59 "Due attempted [public trust] hundreds properties taken compensating lien holders; homeowners years threatened loss title; ignored; arbitrarily conveyed persons owners; remain untried awaiting processing National Resource Council." Porro Teleky, Marshland Title Dilemma: A Tidal Phenomenon, Seton Hall L.Rev. 323, 325-326 (1972) (footnotes 60 Elizabeth, Jersey, 17-20 (confirming problems abated). endorses encourages action predict exactly much magnitude million classified fresh saline Shaw Fredine, Department Interior, Fish Wildlife Service, Circular 39, (1956). Federal Government individuals. conveyances parties purported strike down, permits. 452-454, 117-119; Cyanamid 492 339, 342-343 (Fla.1986), cert. denied sub nom. Mobil Corp. Trustees Internal Improvement Trust Fund Fla., 1065, 950, 93 Association Amicus 2-3. increase amount vulnerable challenges. suggestion, 484, honor attached weight claims. collected mention estopped dispossessing 521 stakes lies valuable oil, gas, deposits. 63 departs precedents, fear permit grave injustice innocent dissent. reversed acres, artificially (caused road construction), added natural forces accretion, titleholders. 520. cross-petition, us. presented 15, 25, Appleby York, 271 381, 569, 573, 992 435, (1892); 811, (1877); Weber Harbor Comm'rs, 65, 798 (1873); Goodtitle Kibbe, 471, 477-478, 220 (1850). Wright Seymour, 69 Cal. 122, 123-127, P. 324-326 (1886), bottom Russian it, Earlier, Connecticut flats adjoining arm ownership. Simons French, Conn. 346, 352-353 (1856). South Carolina reached similar conclusion concerning "salt marshes." Pinckney, S.C. 507-509 (1885). Both Rowe Granite Corp., Mass. 344, 347 (1838); Commonwealth Charlestown, 180, 185-186 (1822). Massachusetts abrogated 1641. 18-19, 554-555, (1894); Storer Freeman, 437-439 (1810). heavily Groton Hurlburt, 178, 185 (1852), Wethersfield Humphrey, 218, 227 27. However, inapposite. merely erection highway commercially offend grant law). Conn., 185-189. decision's creek, therefore, unremarkable. noted construction publicly beneficial (by skiffs) impaired construction. 187-189. considerations. 227. lead us reject dissent's assertion commerce," 488. "tidelands" applicable shorelands sea. 14-17. restriction meaning, i.e., "over Black's Dictionary 1329 (5th 1979). rejected century ago. 278, 821, (1894). 19-22 (citing, (K.B.1774); text, infra, intend get existed—our concern non-navigable, Mann, "tide-flats" "mud flats" located depth four feet (according run tides) entirely bare low water." Appellant's Motion Advance O.T. 1893, 375, pp. 1-2. Appellant contended argue [American] have, 'navigability fact' law,' discarded [and w]here sovereignty." Supplementary 41. 277-279, 820. Appellee, argued cover navigable-in-fact freshwaters, reducing Appellee 2-4. commenting Shively. 821. implicitly argument advanced here: determined 6-7; 6-7, 4. 37. 31-32; 17-20; 1-3. Rice Stewart, 184 202, 44, (1938); O'Brien, 21, (1857). Bradford Nature Conservancy, Va. 181, 195-198, 294 S.E.2d 866 (1982); Tinicum Fishing Carter, Pa. 30-31 (1869); Bickel Polk, Del. 325, 326 (1851); Mass., 437-439. worth noting, States—i.e., privately held—public hunting, etc., recognized. Bradford, Va., 191, 866; Bickel, 326. Limiting result privileges.

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