Legal Document

397 U.S. 82 90 Supreme Court Reporter 788 25 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 68 Augie REETZ, Commissioner of Fish and Game for Alaska, et al., Appellants,v.John BOZANICH al. Number 185. Argued Jan. 23, 1970. Decided Feb. 25, Charles K. Cranston, Juneau, appellants. Robert Boochever, appellees. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is an appeal from judgment a three-judge District Court, convened under 28 Code KF62 §§ 2281, 2284, declaring certain fishing laws Alaska regulations them unconstitutional enjoining their enforcement. 297 F.Supp. 300. We noted probable jurisdiction. 396 811, 70, 24 65. 2 The in question, passed 1968, concern salmon net gear licenses commercial fishing, not other types fishing. They are challenged because they limit licensees to defined group persons. Act material part provides:1 3 'Persons eligible licenses. (a) Except cases extreme hardship as by Board Game, license specific registration area may be issued only person who 4 '(1) has previously held that area; or 5 '(2) has, any three years, while so licensed actively engaged area.' 6 regulations2 provide except 'extreme hardship3 * who: 7 '(A) 1965 subsequent years 8 '(B) since January 1, 1960, 9 Appellees nonresidents applied apparently experienced fishermen but cannot qualify fish 12 regions areas described regulations.4 10 filed motion summary on grounds deprived rights Equal Protection Clause Fourteenth Amendment also Constitution. That constitution provides Article VIII, § 3: 11 'Wherever occurring natural state, fish, wildlife, waters reserved people common use.' And it 15: 'No exclusive right special privilege fishery shall created authorized State.' 13 Appellants dismiss alternatively stay proceedings pending determination constitutional question court. 14 Appellants' was denied. Appellees' granted, holding were both Constitution F.Supp., at 304—307. 15 case virtually all fours with City Meridian versus Southern Bell Tel. & Co., 358 639, 79 455, 562, where single district judge construing Mississippi statute violated Federal State Constitutions. Appeals affirmed we vacated its remanded directions hold parties repaired state tribunal 'for authoritative declaration applicable law.' Id., 640, 456. said: 16 'Proper exercise federal jurisdiction requires controversies involving unsettled questions law decided tribunals preliminary court's consideration underlying questions. especially desirable enmeshed Here, problems delicate ones, resolution which without substantial difficulty—certainly In such case, when interpretation evaluation validity obviate need consider Constitution, court should hand, lest render decision unnecessarily.' 640 641, 17 advised provisions issue have never been interpreted feeling sure merits, held, however, this proper abstention, saying 'if had presented court, would shared our conviction licensing scheme supportable.' 304. panel distinguished one, two being former lawyers. felt prompt necessary avoid 'grave irreparable' injury 'economic livelihood' appellees result, if could engage occupation 'during year's forthcoming season.' Ibid. 18 It is, course, true abstention whenever faced local law, classic Meredith Winter Haven, 320 228, 64 7, 88 L.Ed. 9, based diversity only. Abstention certainly involves duplication effort expense attendant delay. See England Louisiana Board, 375 411, 84 461, 440. why said judicially rule stems Railroad commission Texas Pullman 312 496, 61 643, 85 971, 'the uncertain.' Harman Forssenius, 380 528, 534, 1177, 1182, 50. Moreover, Zwickler Koota, 389 241, 248, 391, 395, 19 444, 'only narrowly limited 'special circumstances," citing Propper Clark, 337 472, 492, 69 1333, 1344, 93 1480. Zwickler, attacked ground face repugnant First Amendment; conceded construction unnecessary question. U.S., 250, S.Ct., 396. A here, conceivably possible irritant federal-state relationship. doctrine avoidance needless friction' between pronouncements policies. 500, 645. instant tradition, here nub whole controversy constitution. relate resources, asset unique abundance Alaska. same resource, management matter great concern. appreciate over effect further delay these plaintiffs, here; concluded first judicial application properly 20 think stayed hand courts accordingly vacate remand consistent opinion. 21 ordered. Statutes-at-Large 16.05.536 (1968). Subd. (b) section specifies data supplied license. Section 16.05.540 licensee 'personally operate assist operation gear'; he own lease 'transferable.' Commercial Fishing Regulations 102.09(a) (1969). As regulations, id., 102.09(a)(2). While original complaint 1968 amended challenge 1969 it, regulated season.

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