Legal Document

406 U.S. 117 92 Supreme Court Reporter 1379 31 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 733 State of NEBRASKA, Plaintiff,v.State IOWA. Number 17, Orig. Argued March 29, 1972. Decided April 24, Syllabus The exceptions to the Special Master's Report in this action brought by Nebraska for construction and enforcement Iowa-Nebraska Boundary Compact 1943, entered into establish a permanent location boundary line made difficult meanderings Missouri River, are generally overruled. Iowa's exception recommendation an injunction enjoining Iowa from further prosecution certain pending cases is sustained, as confident will abide adoption conclusion that any proceeding between private litigant which claim title good under law land allegedly ceded proved, shall not invoke its common-law doctrine state ownership defeating such title. may submit proposed decree accordance with opinion, and, if they cannot agree, Master prepare recommended decree. Pp. 117-127. Howard or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Moldenhauer, Omaha, Neb., plaintiff. Michael Murray, Logan, Iowa, defendant. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Both filed Exceptions submitted original against 1943.1 2 River two States. In 1892, another suit held river at Carter Lake, was be located according principle 'is varying line' so far affected 'changes diminution accretion mere washing waters stream,' but where shifted avulsion: 'By selection new channel changed, it remained prior avulsion, centre old channel; . unless returned their former bed, [such center line] became fixed unvarying boundary, no matter what might changes channel.' versus 143 359, 370, 12 396, 400, 36 L.Ed. 186 (1892); 145 519, 976, 798 (1892). adopts rest fixes 'the middle main river,' defined 'center stabilized established engineers' office, Nebraska, shown on alluvial plain maps Sioux City, Rulo, identified file numbers AP-1 4 inclusive, dated January 30, 1940, AP-5 10 now office copies secretary Nebraska.' 'proposed channel' refers project begun early 1930's Army Corps Engineers tame along entire length containing within designed channel. work had been partially completed suspended when World War II intervened. When resumed 1948, partly redesigned, 1959 confined newly 3 determined 1943 agree compact upon experience showed fickle refused bound [of 1892]. past thirty-five years has changed course often proved impossible apply court decision all cases, since determine whether accretion' 'that avulsion." Eriksson, Boundaries 25 Judge Hist. Pol. 233, 235 (1927). found, ample evidence, we adopt his findings, shifts numerous intricate, both natural result Engineers, would practically locate line.2 fixing resulted some riparian lands formerly each being other State. This created problem effect given titles, mortgages, liens arisen laws Sections were solve problem.3 Under § 'cedes' 'and relinquishes jurisdiction over' other. 3, '[t]itles, liens' affecting 'good in' ceding 'shall 5 instant dispute arose 1963 claimed 30 separate areas land, water, marsh, mixture three wholly side boundary. eighth part ninth formed before 1943. 21st 22d after 1943.4 based common titles run only ordinary high-water mark navigable streams owner beds also islands form therein. McManus Carmichael, (1856); Holman Hodges, 112 714, 84 Northwestern KF135 N69 950 (1901). lie south Omaha those north Omaha. Two pre-1943 Nottleman Island Schemmel Island. Each subject quiet courts.5 defense case there exist 'titles Nebraska' that, Compact, obligated itself recognize Iowa' ownership. 6 Thus, controversy centers around proper Compact. Findings Conclusions favor Nebraska's position merits over July 12, addressed them. On hand, primarily We overrule exceptions, save two, printing errors Report,6 except sustain, infra, IV V insofar issue, mentioned n. 8, infra. 7 construed word meant describe regardless reference whose were, date State, ruled itself. urges, III, erroneous §§ should relating can clear, satisfactory, convincing evidence have Exceptions. require claimant who proves shoulder burden proving well That, said Master, 'would placing states themselves undertake agreed necessary. saying owners, 'we could prove now, waited 27 years, going make you your expense even though know impossible."7 8 concern findings does own found proofs sufficed Island, did suffice 1943.8 He include law, differing thread contiguous stream. Kinkead Turgeon, 74 Neb. 573, 104 1061 (1905), 580, 109 744 (1906).9 embrace obtained years' open, notorious, adverse possession right without requirement record title; must 'COLOR OF TITLE,' REQUIRING SOME TYPE commence period possession.10 9 limiting contesting litigants federal courts question claimants Nebraska,' title, obliging interpose title.11 extent V. As however, addition judgment islands, precluded claiming thereto ownership, enjoin officers, agents, servants courts.12 see reason stage. our therefore sustained issue. basic Exception Conclusion formed, determines formed.13 pertains 21 See 4, supra. 11 Although recommended, these opportunity show date, 1943,14 offered proof support areas. contend, accretions cross caused moves gradually imperceptibly, declared accrue thalweg channel, movement in. rejected contention. contention merit reasons stated Tyson 283 Federal Reporter, 2nd 802 (CA8 1960). That condemnation island Bend, one claims escaped 1948. then become connected shore filled sediment 1952 flood. dredge canal place back Condemnation easement necessary carry forward, settled entitled compensation. belonging state-owned bed Appeals Eighth Circuit situated, is, expressly same urged us holding, agreement District case, operate create rights territorial limits Iowa.' 811. Hence, law. argues wrongly decided. do agree. consistent Arkansas Tennessee, 246 158, 175-176, 38 301, 305, 62 638 (1918): 'How emerges either interstate stream disposed public familiar rules property deem expedient respect borders adjacent But dispositions limited permitted press otherwise located.' (Emphasis added.) 13 accord opinion. If requested, appropriate hearing, 14 It ordered. 15 Decree accordingly. Code 1971, Page Ixiv; Acts chapter 306; Laws 130; Act 57 Statutes-at-Large 494. Leave granted 1965. 379 876, 85 (1964); 996, 716, 699 (1965). There successive Masters. 380 968, 1324, 267 (1965); 392 918, 88 2243, 20 1380 (1968); 393 910, 89 232, 196 (1968). Senior Joseph Pacific P2 Willson extensive hearings November 9, 1971. 404 933, 265, (1971). orally argued & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions renews objection Court's overruled leave granted. Exception. 'Just power settle disputes compact, final pass meaning validity compacts.' West Virginia ex rel. Dyer Sims, 341 22, 28, 71 557, 560, 95 713 (1951); Const. Article 2; 28 KF62 1251. 63, 65, 67, 68, 80. Legislature adopted statute obligations reciprocated statute. sections are: 'Sec. 2. hereby cedes lying westerly Nebraska. 3. Titles, cede suits actions concerning prosecuted judgments accorded full force St. Mary's Auldon Bar, Copeland Line Wilson Deer portion Winnebago Bend. 106, 165. Dakota Omadi Between Browers Bends, Snyder Glover's Point Rabbit Upper Monona Blackbird Tieville Decatur Middle Lower Louisville Blencoe Little Bullard Soldier Sandy California Id., 107. 18, 1963, filed, Mills County, Darwin Merrit Babbit et al., Equity 17433 26, Fremont Henry E. 19765 Proceedings decision. 6, 11. concedes taken. Reply 5, 7. deemed corrected suggested 88-89. 174. alternatively, accepted, nevertheless landowners met Islands actually Since construction, consider findings. Reply, 19, 1972, first time protracted litigation retracts concession, throughout proceedings, 15-16, contends fact give owners river, acquired until abandoned river.' Our reading satisfies argument frivolous. 68-69. Claimants rested least possession. 121-126. 174-175. 201; 193. 192.

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