Document: 516 U.S. 22116 S.Ct. 290133 L.Ed.2d 265 State of LOUISIANA, Plaintiff,v.State MISSISSIPPI et al. No. 121, Orig. Supreme Court the United States Argued Oct. 3, 1995. Decided 31, "Rule thalweg" "Island exception" Syllabus * ON EXCEPTIONS TO REPORT OF SPECIAL MASTER Louisiana's bill complaint in this original action asks Court, inter alia, to define boundary between that and Mississippi along a 7-mile stretch River. The case is here on exceptions report Special Master appointed by Court. Held: are overruled. controlled island exception rule thalweg. latter specifies river lies main downstream navigational channel, or thalweg, moves as channel changes with gradual processes erosion accretion. provides if there divided flow around an island, once established one side remains there, even though navigation shifts island's other side. Pursuant exception, placed at issue west area dispute, thereby confirming Mississippi's sovereignty over area. took after finding derived from Stack Island, which had originally been within before river's shifted east but which, through its accretion side, changed location, next bank, current abutting Louisiana bank. Master's findings conclusions carefully drawn well documented compelling evidence, whereas theory not supported evidence. Pp. ___-___. Exceptions overruled, proposed decree adopted. KENNEDY, J., delivered opinion for unanimous 1 Gary L. Keyser, Baton Rouge, LA, plaintiff. 2 James W. McCartney, Houston, TX, defendant Houston Group. 3 Robert R. Bailes, Vicksburg, MS, Mississippi. BILL COMPLAINT 4 Justice KENNEDY 5 Like shifting near property litigation has traversed our docket other. We must first recount procedural history. 6 In earlier action, citizens sued District Southern Mississippi, quiet title subject property. Certain were named defendants. parties asserted conflicting ownership claims about 2,000 acres, stretching seven miles bank River, Lake Providence, Louisiana. Providence Port Commission intervened filed third-party against Concerned, however, jurisdiction hear matter, further step instituting it motion leave file complaint. denied motion. v. 488 990, 109 551, 102 579 (1988). 7 heard pending and, order Judge Barbour, ruled favor Louisiana, prevailed Appeals Fifth Circuit, 937 F.2d 247 (1991), we granted petition certiorari. 503 935, 112 1472, 117 616 (1992). 8 After hearing oral argument both substantive issues jurisdiction, resolved only latter. held was no Appeals, grant any relief other, authority being reserved exclusive 506 73, 77-78, 113 549, ---- - ----, 121 466 (1992); see also 28 U.S.C. § 1251(a). remanded so could be dismissed d etermine what proceedings necessary respect private parties. 9 Upon remand, asked stay allow again seek permission agreed, noting decision would solve Court's choice law problem fairest method resolving fundamental all 10 did renewed it, allowing persons called Group, who disputed position issue. us two cancel Group's claim title. granting file, Vincent McKusick, former Chief Maine Judicial Master. now his report, jurisdictional bar questions presented. 11 deem do more than give brief summary careful well-documented conclusions, have little merit rejected. 12 controlling legal principles dispute. four prior cases involved River applied 96, 99, 104 1645, 1647, 80 74 (1984); 384 24, 25-26, 86 1250, 1251-1252, 16 330, reh'g denied, 958, 1567, 553 (1966); 282 458, 459, 51 197, 198, 75 L.Ed. 459 (1931); 202 1, 49, 26 408, 421, 50 913 (1906). Though exceptions, U.S., 99-101, S.Ct., 1647-1649; Arkansas Tennessee, 397 88, 89-90, 90 784, 784-785, 25 73 (1970). There exists general rule, Indiana Kentucky, 136 479, 508-509, 1051, 1053-1054, 34 329 (1890); Missouri Wall. 395, 401, 20 116 (1871). serves avoid disturbing State's channel. 13 found known island. that, Island river, then, area, it. Because land located standing challenge 14 advances different version events. It concedes exist 1881 formed territory. year surveyed federal patent later Hou ston predecessor interest, Stephen Blackwell. maintains years later, 1883, washed away replaced mere alluvial deposits, various times last 100 sufficient size stability deemed Some these deposits may gravitated area; nonetheless, according anything can said rather random river. 15 rejected agree. evidence presented support Island's disappearance map dated April 1883. prepared 1881, hydrographic data added overlay Of particular interest solid green line labeled "present steamboat channel" runs portion 1881. expert interpreted mean disappeared questioned authenticity document because testimony suggested such published same month, showed existence. Even assume document's authenticity, does settle question, agree boats passed close enough without entire having disappeared. reading contradicted, moreover, sworn Blackwell witnesses given May 5, 1885, stating family lived continuously 2, 1882, date cultivating acres. Furthermore, November six months supposed vanished, Commission, reporting construction dikes just north stated " 'this work good results, forcing right building head shown high-water survey 1883.' Report 20. 17 Master, unconvinced alleges disappearances, including recently 1948. find credible instead continued note 70-year-old cottonwood trees growing long-time residents disappearances record, contains numerous maps region beginning coming into present era, every them shows existence Island. With single exhibit, 1970, mosaics show mass mapmaker identifies name since 1954 when longer insular form. These progression When superimposed chronological order, successive covering significant preceding map. satisfy wash 18 need delve proper definition do, adopted rigorous test, satisfied 19 raises lacked L ouisiana requests new trial supplemental offers sound reason request, deny considered insubstantial. 21 ordered. syllabus constitutes part Reporter Decisions convenience reader. See Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499

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