Document: 507 U.S. 584 113 S.Ct. 1689 123 L.Ed.2d 317 State of NEBRASKA, Plaintiff,v.States WYOMING and Colorado. No. 108, Orig. Argued Jan. 13, 1993. Decided April 20, Syllabus * To resolve a dispute among Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, the United States over water rights to North Platte River, this Court entered decree in 1945 imposing restrictions on storage diversion by upstream States, Colorado Wyoming; establishing priorities federal reservoirs certain Nebraska canals; apportioning 75% natural flow river's so-called "pivotal reach" during irrigation season 25% Wyoming. v. 325 589, 65 1332, 66 1, 89 L.Ed. 1815. Initiating original action 1986, petitioned for an enforcement order injunctive relief under decree's "reopener" provision, alleging that Wyoming was violating or threatening violate virtue developments two tributaries, Deer Creek Laramie objecting Wyoming's actions with respect Inland Lakes Nebraska. answered counterclaimed, arguing, essentially, circumventing demanding diverting from above Tri-State Dam uses below are not recognized decree. All four parties have moved summary judgment one more issues, Special Master has filed his First Second Interim Reports recommending disposition those motions intervention amici. Exceptions been by, inter alios, three States. Held: 1. No exceptions having Master's recommendation deny motions, is adopted. P. ____. 2. The recommended dispositions adopted, parties' overruled. Pp. (a) Although strictly applicable, Federal Rule Civil Procedure 56(c) Court's precedents construing it serve as useful guides principles governing case. Such appropriate Rule's terms when there no genuine issue material fact moving party entitled matter law. In determining whether factual exists, evidence viewed through prism controlling legal standard, which will be markedly different depending type proceedings. extent proceedings involve application already decree, case here question, plaintiff need show injury. See, e.g., 309 572, 581, 60 765, 768, 84 954. However, if seeks modification cover questions decided proceedings, regard Nebraska's tributary development claims, showing substantial injury must made warrant relief. Cf., Idaho ex rel. Evans Oregon, 462 1017, 1027, 103 2817, 2824, 77 387. (b) Summary granted their requests determinations entitles Bureau Reclamation continue its longstanding practices Lakes, lakes same December 6, 1904, priority date other components Bureau's Project. implicitly settled lakes' prior litigation. U.S., at 646, 649, n. 2, S.Ct., 1363, 1365, And even previously determined, arguments foreclosed postdecree acquiescence administration lakes. Cf. Ohio Kentucky, 410 641, 648, 93 1178, 1182, 35 560. Thus, motion partial do either state law denied. (c) River waters rejects contention were completely apportioned between itself 1922 259 419, 496, 42 552, 594, 999. Paragraph XII(d) expressly left undisturbed "[t]he apportionment heretofore made," did apportion all Laramie's waters; dealt only flows down including facility new petition challenges. Also rejected claim pivotal reach includes historically reached Platte. That restrict use require regularly deliver specified amount confluence, and, since 1945, neither nor requested account diversions confluence. Because therefore decide fate excess Waters, affording would constitute Unless comes forward sufficient establish some project poses threat serious enough such modification, should (d) challenge proposed reservoir It unclear X exempts further review ordinary usual municipal use. adopt definitive interpretation X, because Project may qualify Furthermore, proof cause injury—which necessary does currently Creek, injunction decree—may depend way administers project, particularly Lakes. (e) most Wyoming's, Nebraska's, Colorado's rulings issues too theoretical insufficiently developed susceptible resolution time, request determination impose absolute ceilings canals taking reach. Decree V, sets forth reach, makes mention states free allocate share sees fit. Similarly, although IV limits stop storing water, place any quantities actually divert. Motions leave intervene denied, part denied part, O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. 1 Dennis C. Cook, Cheyenne, WY, 2 Gale A. Norton, Denver, CO, 3 Richard Simms, 4 Jeffrey Minear, Washington, DC, 5 Justice O'CONNOR 6 we revisit River. interstate critical portion river season. returned 1986 seeking A Master, appointed Court, supervised pretrial discovery 1987. Before us now several together reports. 7 rises Northern into where joins South topology history early described length opinion. See 592-599, 1338-1342, 1934, invoking jurisdiction Article III, § Constitution, brought against equitable impleaded defendant, intervened. After 11 years litigation, imposed 621-625, 1352-1354, established canals, id., 625-637, 1354-1359, "pivotal" Whalen, Dam. irrigation-season section Id., 637-654, 1359-1368. 8 directed formulate implement decision. 657, 1369. resulting included XIII, states, relevant part: 9 "Any apply foot amendment retains suit purpose order, direction, supplementary time deemed proper relation subject controversy. Matters reference hereafter sought shall include, but limited to, following: 10 . "(c) question effect construction threatened capacity existing tributaries entering Pathfinder Reservoir Guernsey Reservoir; 12 13 "(f) Any change conditions making granting neces sary appropriate." 671-672, 4. 14 XIII reflects observation designed "deal they obtain today" "can adjusted meet conditions." 620, 1351-1352. noted than retain modify light changes supply, future development, circumvention 622, 625, 628-629, 1352, 1353, 1355. Since entered, modified once, pursuant stipulation, reservoir. 345 981, 73 1041, 97 1394 (1953). 15 XIII. alleged also objected taken We file petition. 16 referred Owen Olpin, judgment. Report, explained decision open possibility adjudication following findings. Report (June 14, 1989). An intensive period followed. then issues. year later, Report. Judgment Renewed Intervention (Apr. 9, 1992) (hereinafter Report). recommendation, it. grant issue, discrete related remaining amicus Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin). brief opposing exceptions. agree accordingly overrule II 17 At outset consider standards applied Master. correctly observed that, Rules our guides. 17.2. Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 56(c). When nonmoving bears burden trial, warranted nonmovant fails "make existence element essential [its] case." Celotex Corp. Catrett, 477 317, 322, 106 2548, 2552, 91 265 (1986). court views standard. Anderson Liberty Lobby, Inc., 242, 248, 2505, 2510, 202 18 disagreement centers applicable standards. these proceed ings According obtained assurance rights. view, subsequently, improperly, transformed recognition rights—in essence, another apportionment. If allowed argue maintain, high evidentiary threshold claims apportionments applies. Under can prevail upon "by clear convincing evidence" "some real damage." 387 (1983). Accord, Kansas, 320 383, 393, 64 176, 180, 88 116 (1943); Connecticut Massachusetts, 282 660, 669, 51 286, 289, 75 602 (1931). 19 read pleadings narrowly supporting briefs contain ambiguous language. Petition Order Enforcing Injunctive Relief (Oct. 1986) Petition) (alleging "established Decree"); Reply Brief Opposition Motion Leave File (Jan. 1987) ("We propose litigate anything new, simply protect what decided"). But invoked subparagraphs (f). 3. As said, sections retained answer unresolved accommodate "change[s] conditions" phrase sufficiently broad encompass see, 1351, threatens party's interests. nothing prevent submitting deficient. decline invitation, late date, scope litigation solely determined 20 find merit rather enforcement, higher standard types proceeding different. action, 954 (1940). conduct admitted, violates right sure, stated explicitly recognized, silent unclear, underlying opinion, record determine resolved issue. 286 494, 506-508, 52 621, 625-626, 76 1245 (1932). course relevant. primarily remains interpretation. proceeding, contrast, definition pre-existing interpret enforce. least concerns impact inquiry well entail sort balancing equities occurs initial 618, 1350 (listing considerations). 21 discussed below, believe fairly characterized regarding however, raise best understood modifica tion applies claims. evidently thought advocated inapplicable asked interfere sovereign interests "in first instance." 13. 22 disagree extent. perhaps eases plaintiff's establishing, matter, falling within purview "of character dignity controversy justiciable jurisdiction." 610, 1347. all, variety changed "promis[e] disturb delicate balance river" created 1354. essentially reweighing declaring responsibilities, think still make so work infringement prerogatives, certainty stability counsel strongly reopening absent considerable justification. Arizona California, 460 605, 615-628, 1382, 1389-1396, 318 III 23 With mind, turn motions. found unnecessary repeat detail careful evaluation voluminous evidence. 24 off-channel served Interstate Canal, diverts Both Canal Project, series operated (Bureau). 1913, diverted nonirrigation months release users Due icing winter, temporarily stored destined Glendo Reservoirs. 25 appears always recognizes though never separate permit sued court, enjoin without out users. (The subsequently removed district dismissed prejudice.) indicated, reason wished post-1986 increase available Creek. rate, (which lawsuit) challenged 26 judgment, 1904. motion. lacks he reasoned, immaterial Lakes' priority. undisputed store 46,000 acre-feet suggestion, counted reduce requirement Michael J. Doherty, OT 1944, 4, pp. 60-61 Doherty Report); 1366, concluded predicate disturbed. He suggested challenging 1904 now. 27 supports conclusion there. acquiescence. 560 (1973) ("[P]roceedings basically nature, technically precluded nonetheless acquiescence" (citation omitted)). Accordingly, clarify today Pursuant priority, divert October, November, practice Reservoirs contends, apparently dispute, ensure delivery envisioned For hold temporary protected. Our otherwise affect B 28 originates meets petition, near first, Grayrocks completed 1980. Operated Basin, consists electric power generating plant. second, Corn system farmland. 29 both diametrically opposed positions waters. claimed contended 999, modified, 260 43 1026, vacated 353 953, 865, 906 (1957), undisturbed. 30 "shall [t]he River." 671, 4; see 592, 1339, (Laramie affected" decree). entirely dewater Laramie. refers Laramie; Wheatland 488, 565. 31 There statement arguably contrary subsequent interpreting 298 573, 578, 56 912, 914, 80 1339 (1936) (decree establishes "to receive stream tributaries"). language refer earlier proceedings—that is, Wheatland. joint 1957. 866 (Wyoming flowing 1957 participation, cannot addresses "heretofore made"—in words, 32 Further, expected contribute 67, Table (including inflows calculation reach). affirmatively either. apportionment, reasons given evidence, read, indicates 1945. 33 gives waters, turn, then, 1978, settlement agreement (but Wyoming) Grayrocks' consumption requires minimum flows. provides depletions event constructed. App. A-24 A-32. juncture, argument seems injured interferes Basin's mandatory releases allowing appropriators 34 declined assure support obligation maintain flows, 66-68, interfering Other points might deplete Grayrocks. Nor seem recommends amended indicate future, provided agreement. add authority subparagraph (f), proposal. proposes status conference concerning objection conference. emphasize, unless (or Laramie) favor express view whether, injury, incorporation appropriate. C enters mainstem Reservoirs, XIII(c) Guernsey. 36 alternative grounds. asserted primary function furnish supplies (by exchange) communities. notwithstanding, exempt provides: 37 "This domestic, stock watering purposes consumption." 670, 38 had failed adequate 39 admitting "poses mysteries," 79, agreed plain provision permits freely provisions act after diversions. recommend ground, due Project's character. based affidavit H. Lee Becker, former hydrologist Affidavit Becker ¶ 25, 1991) (stating reductions average year-end carryover "[s]uch could limit [pivotal] dry years"), attached Response Electric's Memorandum Support Thereof 1991). 40 objects strenuously X. agrees "problematic." Opposing (Aug. 17, Brief). We, too, troubled pointed out, fought mightily small water. why meant magnitude, derogation opportunity review. 41 settle time. rightly recently promised operate purposes, Final Environmental Impact Statement prepared project—which describes plan operation obliged follow—and identify nonmunicipal uses. presented communities additional supplies, did, cost-effective alternatives addition, unable prove necessary, Whether injure administered. conceded accordance agreed, junior position throughout lack date. persist diminished. &Par; 4-6 12, 1988) (demonstrating anticipated reservoirs' smaller recognized), 22, 1988); David G. Wilde 89(b) 15, "substantially impac[t]" projects extended period, impacts "minimized" administered Lakes), 1988). assert event, affidavits defeat D 44 counterclaim, sources improperly requirements lands Increased benefit create increased return 45 Neither counterclaim. Rather, number " 'too anchored concrete adequately [r]ecord' 92 (quoting Post-Argument Comments (July 29, 1991)). crystallized 46 explained, calculated cap canals' total diversions, individually cumulatively. 161 ("[T]he findings herein cannot, I think, limitation individual groups, actual administration, limitations properly decree" (emphasis original)). V 667, 47 result. argument. relative 666-667, "limits [it] 'absolute ceilings' divert." 40, 21. asks bypass senior canal excessive calls yet inadequate calls, so. 48 foregoing reasons, reports granted, limitations. 49 ordered. syllabus constitutes Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499.

Category: 10