Document: 506 U.S. 73 113 S.Ct. 549 121 L.Ed.2d 466 MISSISSIPPI, et al., Petitioners,v.LOUISIANA al. No. 91-1158. Argued Nov. 9, 1992. Decided Dec. 14, Syllabus * After private plaintiffs brought suit against defendants in the District Court to quiet title certain land riparian Mississippi River, Louisiana intervened action and filed a third-party complaint seeking determine boundary between two States vicinity of disputed land. Following this Court's denial leave file bill Court, found question be part quieted plaintiffs. The Appeals reversed. Held: uncompromising language 28 U.S.C. § 1251(a), which gives "original exclusive jurisdiction all controversies or more States" (emphasis added), deprived over Louisiana's Mississippi. Though 1251(a) is phrased terms grant plain meaning "exclusive" necessarily denies such cases any other federal court. See, e.g., California v. Arizona, 440 59, 63, 99 919, 922, 59 144. adjudication involving location does not violate since that section speaks parties, claims issues. But an would binding on way. Because both Courts below intermixed questions real property state boundary's location, it must determined remand whether record may fairly decided without additional proceedings Court. Pp. ____. 937 F.2d 247, reversed remanded. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion for unanimous James W. McCartney, Houston, Tex., argued petitioners. Gary L. Keyser, Baton Rouge, La., respondents. Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 This was originally commenced by suing Southern River. State We hold granting original States, 2 lies along west bank River near Lake Providence, Louisiana. plaintiffs, known as Houston Group, alleged they own fee simple result homestead patent issued United 1888 deed 1933. Providence Port Commission dispute determination States. then sought opposed motion view pendency action, also emphasized case parties: "Houston establish line their It incidental line." App. Pet. Cert. 86a. denied file, Mississippi, 488 990, 109 551, 102 579 (1988). 3 thereafter thalweg, frozen avulsive shift river, thus placed within Alternatively, concluded because "Louisiana has acquiesced exercise island . Mississippi." 40a. Having considered ownership Group. 4 reversed, rejecting rulings thalweg acquiescence, Thomas, 247 (CA5 1991). granted certiorari these third we formulated: "Did properly assert respondent's petitioner Mississippi?" 503 ----, 112 1472, 117 616 (1992). now reverse. 5 constitutional statutory provisions necessary our decision are these: Article III, 2, Constitution: 6 "The judicial Power [of States] shall extend Controversies States; 7 "In Cases affecting Ambassadors, public Ministers Consuls, those Party, supreme have Jurisdiction." Title 1331: district courts civil actions arising under Constitution, laws, treaties States." 8 1251(a): Supreme 9 even though its contentions itself were rejected Appeals, urges us find had it. argues refusal allow must, implication, indicated proper forum resolution question. particularly true, argues, opposition premised contention could then-pending owners asserts court virtue 1331, confers law 10 If existence Mississippi's arguments quite plausible. said than once should exercised only "sparingly." See Wyoming Oklahoma, 502 789, 798, (1992); Maryland Louisiana, 451 725, 739, 101 2114, 2125, 68 576 (1981); Arizona New Mexico, 425 794, 796, 96 1845, 1846, 48 376 (1976). Indeed, Fuller wrote nearly century ago "jurisdiction so delicate grave character contemplated save when necessity absolute." Texas, 176 1, 15, 20 251, 256, 44 L.Ed. 347 (1900). Recognizing "delicate grave" jurisdiction, interpreted Constitution "as making "obligatory appropriate cases," Illinois City Milwaukee, 406 91, 93, 92 1385, 1388, 31 712 (1972), providing "with substantial discretion make case-by-case judgments practical Court," Texas 462 554, 570, 103 2558, 2568, 77 (1983). 11 first accept nonexclusive citizens see Ohio Wyandotte Chemicals Corp., 401 493, 91 1005, 256 (1971), State, Nevada, 412 534, 93 2763, 37 132 (1973). carried where exclusive. supra; West Virginia, 454 1027, 561, 70 470 supra. Determining "appropriate" involves examination factors. First, look "the nature interest complaining State," Massachusetts Missouri, 308 18, 60 39, 43, 84 (1939), focusing "seriousness dignity claim," supra, U.S., at S.Ct., 1388. model invocation seriousness amount casus belli if fully sovereign." 571, n. 2569, 18. Second, explore availability alternative issue tendered can resolved. In example, declined Mexico challenging electricity tax pending state-court three utilities same tax: "[W]e persuaded provides issues here litigated." 797, 1847 original). 12 argument founders added). description court.1 follows from "exclusive," Webster's International Dictionary 890 (2d ed. 1942) ("debar possession"), been remarked upon opinions cases, 144 (1979) ("a hear [California's] claims"). 13 lacked judgment insofar purports relief conceded defendants, deciding property, decide Adjudicating parties issues, but parties.2 course, bound them rendered lawsuit litigants. Durfee Duke, 375 106, 115, 242, 186 (1963). 14 boundary, position say therefore reverse adjudicated with instructions direct dismiss want jurisdiction. balance inquiry further required order adjudicate action. 15 ordered. syllabus constitutes no prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. Neither party disputes Congress's authority some concurrent others. distinction existed Judiciary Act 1789, 13, Stat. 80-81, never questioned Rhode Island Massachusetts, 657, 722, 1233 (1838); Ames Kansas, 111 449, 469, 437, 446, 482 (1884). do intervention dispute. unaffected seek

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