Legal Document

447 U.S. 1 100 Supreme Court Reporter 1994 64 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 681 UNITED STATES, Plaintiff,v.State of CALIFORNIA. Number 5, Orig. Argued March 17, 1980. Decided June 9, Rehearing Denied Dec. 1, See 449 1028, 101 600. Syllabus The issue presented at this stage original action is whether—for purposes determining California's ownership under the Submerged Lands Act submerged lands and natural resources lying within three geographical miles seaward California coastline—the coastline follows mean lower low-water line along shore, or whether it edge 15 piers Rincon Island complex projecting into sea from shore. Island, a privately owned artificial "island" used to service offshore oil facilities, erected upon foundations resting on ocean floor, has dock side, connected mainland by causeway structure which water flows freely. Neither nor island have had any noticeable effect shoreline, not coast protective work. in question, some are operated State as docking facilities for recreational purposes, all attached mainland; freely underneath each; they no shoreline works. Special Master concluded that do constitute extensions vicinity these structures. filed an exception Master's report. Held: conclusion proper. Under Convention Territorial Sea Contiguous Zone, guidance defining "coastline" Act, general rule expressed Article 3 therein "normal baseline measuring breadth territorial marked large-scale charts officially recognized coastal State." Although type construction open involved here, being elevated above ocean's surface pilings, does not, without more, require determination adverse California, absence "lower line" deprives them baseline," precludes falling ambit 3. Moreover, 8 Convention, whereby "the outermost permanent harbour works form integral part system shall be regarded forming coast," encompass structures case harbors "harbour works," since neither "protect," "enclose," "shelter," Louisiana Boundary Case, 394 11, 37, n. 42, 89 773, 788, 22 44 thus cannot harbor system. Nor Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation decisions thereunder indicate Congress withdrawn courts authority define Act. Pp. 5-9. Exception report overruled. John Federal KF105 F3 Briscoe, San Francisco, Cal., defendant. Stephen M. Shapiro, Washington, D.C., plaintiff. Mr. CHIEF JUSTICE BURGER delivered opinion Court. * began against III, § 2, Constitution 1945 determine right exploit off belongs California. 2 In 1947, decreed extending ordinary mark coast. versus 332 804, 805, 68 20, 21, 92 L.Ed. 382. also 19, 67 1658, 91 1889 (1947). When enacted 1953, Statutes-at-Large 29, 43 Code KF62 1301 et seq., States, effect, quitclaimed whatever interest Government may in, to, coastline. 3(b)(1), 1311(b)(1). subsequently Outer Continental Shelf 462, 1331 declared those granted §§ 1332, 1333. 1978, parties cross-motions entry supplemental decree. motions proposed issues resolution, only one presently before Court.1 That 4 This appointed who received evidence submitted recommendations. made following findings fact: 5 shore near Punta Gorda, Ventura County, facilities. It built large concrete tetrapods2 rest consisting rock dirt fill. There buildings other island, related active well. On side equipped with hardware berthing vessels. 6 commonly known identified maps Gorda Causeway. Oil pumped pipeline running beneath alongside structure. wooden deck rests steel frame supported pilings filled gravel capped concrete. Water underneath. work.3 7 asphalt, wood, surfaces mounted precast concrete, steel, wood pilings. They vary length 500 feet (at Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel) 3,500 Ocean Beach). All mainland, each. shoreline; One pier hotel; others supply rigs; remaining 11 Department Parks Recreation purposes.4 coast.5 coastline, he determined, federal-state boundary conclusion. II 9 Since passage granting their respective coasts, adverted Apr. 1958, [1964] Treaties Other International Agreements 1606, 5369, definition term "coastline." (1969); 381 139, 165, 85 1401, 1415, 14 296 (1965). definitional contexts tend highly fact bound,6 provides automatic application. word "coast" was intended include we earlier proceedings kinds modify see 1977 decree, 432 40, 97 2915, 53 94, never adopted view considered 10 Open piers, such Accordingly, conform establishing measure extent state's jurisdiction. rule, contained states: "[T]he normal 12 See, e. g., U.S., 176-177, S.Ct., 1421-1422. But 13 ultimate implicitly recognizes proposition. He did discontinuity waterline dispositive, correctly noting breakwaters, example, discontinuous water-lines, been held considering disposing claim embodied 3, discussion infra, necessarily found criteria were satisfied. every National Survey chart "officially recognized" displays black connoting configuration 16 structures, groins, extend seaward, likewise dispositive. We agree finding contain aggregate errors many places depict regard And each found, includes disclaimer effect. suggests affords support its position. provides: "For purpose delimiting sea, coast." 17 litigation incorporated text 382 448, 449, 86 607, 517 (1966), construe language encompassing 18 works; supra, works" refers " '[s]tructures seacoast inlets rivers enclosing areas adjacent provide anchorage shelter.' 788.7 These "shelter";8 meaning 8. 19 A "harbor" body providing haven safe shelter citing Atlantic Shalowitz, Shore Boundaries 60, 65 (1962). protection noted; bodies states obvious. harbors, 20 seeks import Law Commission's Commentary final draft 8, primarily Comment Report Commission General Assembly, U.N.Gen.Ass.Off.Rec., 11th Sess., Supp. U.N.Doc. A/3159, Page (1956), position should construed cover 21 "Permanent jutting out (such jetties works) assimilated works." envision erosion jetties, but highlighted beach role fulfill 49-50, 64, 794-795. including concededly would unwarrantedly most generous intimation Comment.9 23 Finally, relies 1424, 33 901 applied accidents occurred domestic rather than admiralty law control judicial E. Nacirema company Johnson, 396 212, 90 347, 24 371 Travelers Insurance Shea, Reporter, 2nd 344 (CA5 1967); Michigan Mutual Liability Arrien, 640 (CA2 1965); East Oosting, 245 F.Supp. 51 (E.D.Va.1965); Johnson Traynor, 243 184 (Md.1965). least implicit congressional declaration land, However, incarnation case, contrary. 150-154, 1407-1410; also, 779. Nothing ruling indicates looked give content Act; reason advanced persuades us otherwise today. prepare decree consistent present due course. 25 so ordered. 26 Justice MARSHALL took consideration decision case. involve location limit inland waters Port Pedro mouth Diego Bay. acquiesce anticipate resolution agreement. blocks resemble giant versions child's "jacks." As noted, "Rincon could qualify 'island' Geneva because island." 10, 5369. For intents then, treated same issue. unlike fishing areas. noted though shipping handled insufficient justify "ports." fitted coin-operated davit lowering small boats water. disqualified serving base point artificiality. supra. discussions significance factual distinctions attendant implications among spoil banks, Texas Louisiana, 426 465, 469, 96 2155, 2157, 48 775 (1976); 389 155, 158, 88 367, 369, 383 (1967). Case Louisiana's dredged channels said: ". . applies raised 1958 Conference reveal 'harbour works' connoted 'structures' 'installations' 'part land' sense enclosed sheltered within." 36-37, 788 (emphasis added). engineering expert testified designed movement sea. By contrast, groins affect wave action. Even if assume, Master, "jetties" means "piers," his conclusion, have, fall light our disposition unnecessary, decline, join dispute between over precise English French Convention.

Classification Label: 9