Legal Document

394 U.S. 1 89 Supreme Court Reporter 768 22 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 36 UNITED STATES, Plaintiff,v.LOUISIANA et al. The TEXAS BOUNDARY CASE. Number 9, Orig. Argued Nov. 18, 1968. Decided March 3, 1969. Louis Federal KF105 F3 Claiborne, Washington, D.C., for plaintiff. Houghton Brownlee, Jr., defendants. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. This proceeding is a sequel to last Term's versus Louisiana, 389 155, 88 367, 19 o83 (1967), in which we held that three-league (nine-mile) belt submerged lands beneath Gulf Mexico granted Texas by Submerged Lands Act 19531 was not be measured from edge artificial jetties built since 1845 but Texas' coastline as it existed when admitted Union. cartographic work required define and gulfward boundary three leagues distant has been completed, have agreed upon their locations.2 However, substantially modified extensive erosion some accretion intervening period more than century. modification occasioned dispute between whether Act's express limitation § 2(b), no event shall boundaries grant 'be interpreted extending coast line * marine into Mexico,' read measuring coastline, contends, or exists currently at any time future, contends.3 If modern, ambulatory claims would denied substantial acreage result post-1845 erosion.4 We ordered oral argument. 393 811, 79, 21 87 (1968). agree with term 'coast line' means coastline. 2 also appears 4 Act. Section approves seaward miles each coastal State, except if State can show its entry Union approved Congress extended entitled claim within such boundary, subject however 2(b). See §§ 4, 67 Statutes-at-Large 29, 31, 43 Code KF62 1301, 1312; 363 1, 80 961, 1025 (1960). 3 argument modern based on our decision California, 381 139, 85 1401, 14 296 (1965). issue there particular bodies water California were 'inland waters' meaning 2(c) provides '(t)he marking limit inland waters.' legislative history showed intended courts should In discharging assignment concluded Convention Territorial Sea Contiguous Zone5 provided 'the best most workable definitions available.' Accordingly, adopted those purposes U.S., 165, S.Ct., 1415. defines coastline; decree entered several months later accordance expressly taken heretofore hereafter natural *.' 382 448, 449, 86 607, 15 517 (1966). said further '(t)his (adoption Convention's definitions) establishes single administration Our conclusion this case therefore necessarily follows California. supra, 162, n. 2, 371 (Stewart, J., concurring result). There basis finding different purpose determining baseline measurement maximum limitation. Nothing face supports meaning.6 Rather seems evident meant same both three-mile suggests ground distinction argues produce an inequitable havoc orderly mineral development. It true subsequently constructed deprived benefit ost-1845 accretion. use will penalize may present practical difficulties lessees. But alleged results, well detriment development, derive consistent reading scheme fashioned; thus must look relief. 5 Since parties proposed view disputed point sustained, direct supplemental States.7 6 so ordered. 7 Supplemental (see 1614). 8 THE CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL took part consideration case. 9 BLACK, dissenting. 10 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions decide favor Texas. another long-continued apparently never-ending series lawsuits Texas, trying settle location under ocean waters Congress, 1953, validly conveyed Act.1 narrow one. (1960), had out distance leagues, about nine miles, State's And Louisiana (Texas boundaries), 161, 370, 383 congressional land historical state 'as they existed' Union.' That case, however, did attempt identify precision where located, question longer here stipulated rejected arguments follow second california (1965), holding over national decided international law treaties. declining apply treaty dispute, said, 'This domestic governed grant,' thereby idea controlled treaty. Obviously, principle equally applies here, phase very dispute. No one family nations greatly interested certainly none control way nation divides itself subordinate governmental units country's own waters. problem itself. 11 Moreover, pointed my dissent Court's counter motions Boundary Case today, reasons why establish uniform rule deciding all controversies concerning questions arisi g Act, Page 78, 812. now before us again refutes applying treaties local disputes Government bring stability, certainty, expedition carrying Congress. For are told even wins, probably take long controversy complexities necessary trety rules.2 warned lawsuit Nation already brewing just around corner it. Consolation offered because continue after keep decrees open future lawsuits. All goes emphasize me mistake advance these settled courts. land, designate agency undertake complex territorial meet. As Case, 1895 passed specifically charging competent government department consider mark line.3 willing stay hand let congressionally selected water-outer sea cases hopefully forward having relieved nonjudicial duty. believe experience proves, effort straighten muddle give destined long, slow, almost endless delay, continues left 12 effect today process building up new along shores, because, Term, remain irrevocably fixed line, gradually pushes back other points shore, outer owned pushed toward shore. States, accepted Court, truly deserves ironic tribute counsel works precisely old game 'heads win, tails you lose.' admits federal one, oil leases constantly invalidation takes toll says results 'd rive fashioned.' Ante, 6. think inequities rather interpretation given chiefly saying task judges surveyors, handled reference uncertainty confusion created who accept unfairness one-sided only lose changes shoreline, eliminated simply construing 2(b) attributed phrase namely historic secondly, cases, problems could avoided choosing Coast Guard marked authorized 13 acceptance approve 1301—1315. 84, 1007, against underlying line.' reserved what measure grant. 1004. 156—157 368. A Stipulation filed identifies 1845/1849 boundry distant. An November 24, 1849, Laws, 3d Tex.Leg., chapter consent July 5, 1848, 245, opposite Sabine Pass. western half Pass, came 1845, passage recognition identified recognized offshore includes 1849 extension, reserves effectiveness extension claims, example, might asserted Louisiana. Memorandum 16—18. far relevant follows: '(a) 'lands navigable means— '(2) permanently periodically covered tidal above mean high tide geographical became member Union, extends (or Mexico) beyond '(b) 'boundaries' boun aries Great Lakes confirmed pursuant section hereof Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean, Mexico; '(c) ordinary low portion contact represented 17,000 35,000 acres lost erosion. (1964) Treaties Other International Agreements (pt. 2) 1607, 5639. forecloses date Although minimum application provisions cover situation exist construction extend six 1845—1849 position. describes measurements done photogrammetry—that is, aerial photographs exactly level tide. These then correlated maps points, shown transferred maps. limited times reaches proper stage while suitable daylight photography onshore wind dislocate line. When conditions do concur, lasts few minutes. Thus, protracted operation. Subsequent cartography requires skilled painstaking cannot hurriedly mass production methods.' Support Proposed Decree, 15, 1968, 28, 13. 28 672, 33 151. first entrusted duty Treasury Department, Commerce Commandant Guard.

Classification Label: 9