Legal Document

403 U.S. 9 91 Supreme Court Reporter 1775 29 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 279 State of UTAH, Plaintiff,v.UNITED STATES. Number 31, Orig. Argued April 26, 1971, on Exceptions to Report Special Master. Decided June 7, 1971. Syllabus In this suit involving conflicting claims between Utah and the shorelands around Great Salt Lake Master's report, finding that at date Utah's admission Union was navigable lake bed passed time, is supported by adequate evidence approved Court. The parties are invited address themselves decree submitted with report a view agreeing, if possible, upon issues have now been settled. Peter L. Strauss, Washington, D.C., for defendant. Dallin W. Jensen, City, Utah, plaintiff. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion 1 This initiated resolve dispute it as Lake. claim lands premised navigability statehood, viz., January 4, 1896. If indeed were would override any States, possible exception based doctrine reliction, not before us. 2 operation 'equal footing' principle has accorded newly admitted same property interests in submerged enjoyed Thirteen Original successors British Crown. Pollard's Lessee versus Hagan, 3 How. 212, 222 223, 228—230, 11 L.Ed. 565. That means original Lake—whether or exposed—ultimately rests whether (Martin Waddell, 16 Pet. 367, 410, 416—417, 10 997) time admission. Shievely Bowlby, 152 1, 26—28, 14 548, 557—558, 38 331. It issue we directed Master, Hon. Judge Cullen Ganey, himself. See 394 89, 89 761, 22 99. present Master found question navigable. We approve finding. federal question. Daniel Ball, Wall. 557, 563, 19 999. Moreover, fact part interstate international commercial highway no way interferes public ownership its bed. 283 64, 75, 51 438, 440, 75 844; Oregon, 295 14, 55 610, 615, 79 1267. test waters stated supra, 563: 4 'Those rivers must be regarded law which fact. And they when used, susceptible being their ordinary condition, highways commerce, over trade travel may conducted customary modes water. * *' While statement addressed 'rivers' applies all water courses. S.Ct., 615. 5 strongly contests Although extensive, think sufficient sustain findings. There were, example, nine boats used from haul cattle sheep mainland one islands mainland. hauling apparently done owners livestock, carrier purpose making money. Hence suggested use sense word. say, business ranching carrying water-borne freight. an irrelevant detail. gist test. 6 carriage also limited serving only few people who performed operations along shores lake. But again does detract basic served feature distinguishes non-navigability. 7 was, addition ranchers, boat outsider carried island sheep. said hire make artery commerce; but keeping theme actual earlier years. 8 addition, known City Corinne launched May 1871 passengers freight; life capacity lasted less than year. 1872 converted into excursion plied until 1881. other hauled ore, salt, cedar posts. Still another carry salt various works railroad connection. says these vessels sporadic careers short. true most traffic mentioned took place 1880's, while became level had so changed 1896 navigation practical. effectively refutes contention. 1896, 30.2 feet deep. He finds 'the physically capable condition floating affording passage craft manner might time.' 'could floated afforded large boats, barges similar currently general inland bodies States.' areas depth 'were several miles wide, extending substantially through length width Lake.' Most history transportation, sure, yet findings conditions obtained still permitted time. sum, clear entitled asks. his proposed attach Appendix opinion. invite settled litigation. 12 So ordered. 13 Decree MARSHALL consideration decision case. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF THE COURT IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED THAT: 15 1. America, departments agencies, enjoined, subject regulations Congress impose interest pollution control, asserting against right, title interest: (a) lying below meander line duly surveyed heretofore accordance Section Act 3, 1966, 80 Statutes-at-Large 192, within Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Weber Basin reclamation project, 17 (b) natural resources living organisms beneath delineated above, 18 (c) either Lake, extracted therefrom, except brine minerals solution precipitated therefrom whatever there line, together right prospect for, mine, remove same, set forth 192. 2. required pay Secretary Interior, lands, including minerals, 1(a), decree. 20 3. prayer America Answer Complaint 'confirm, declare establish owner described amended August 23, 349, without such save conveyed them, provisions amended,' denied. 21 Respectfully submitted, CULLEN GANEY, 23 Senior Circuit Judge, 24

Classification Label: 9