Legal Document

521 U.S. 1117 S.Ct. 1888138 L.Ed.2d 231 UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff,v.STATE OF ALASKA. No. 84, Orig. Supreme Court the United States Argued Feb. 24, 1997. Decided June 19, Syllabus * This suit involves a dispute between and Alaska over ownership submerged lands along State's Arctic Coast. The Statehood Act expressly provides that federal Submerged Lands applies to Alaska. latter entitles beneath tidal inland navigable waters extending three miles seaward coastline. claims right offer in Beaufort Sea for mineral leasing, seeks quiet its title coastal within two reservations, National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (Reserve) Wildlife Refuge, formerly known as Range (Range). Both parties have filed exceptions Special Master's Report. Held: 1.Alaska's exception recommended ruling vicinity barrier islands Coast should be measured 3-mile belt from coastline following normal baseline under Convention on Territorial Contiguous Zone (Convention) is overruled. which State measures grant corresponds territorial sea Convention. According Convention's approach, each island has own sea, outward corresponding low-water line island's coast. objects application this approach Stefansson Sound-where some offshore are more than six apart or mainland-because it gives "enclaves'' lands, wholly partly surrounded by state-owned mainland but not an island. v. Louisiana, 470 93, 105 1074, 84 73, does foreclose conclusion principles apply here. identified firm continuing rule treating fringing "inland waters'' when openings off-lying no 10 wide. sources before Master showed that, foreign relations, particularly period 1930 1949, had advocated objectionable pockets high seas would assimilated nation's sea. Such been inconsistent with Alaska's 10-mile rule, existed. also strait leading waters, equivalent rule. Pp. ____-____. 2.Alaska's gravel ice formation Dinkum Sands constituting part did err concluding meet standard because frequently below mean water. drafting history suggests qualify island, feature must above water except abnormal circumstances. It support broader seasonal loss elevation brings water, such Sands, qualifies. Nor there any precedent deeming during periods 3.Alaska's tidally influenced Reserve's boundary pass at statehood can reserve control appropriate public purpose. Under strict standards Utah Div. States, 482 193, 107 2318, 96 162, 1923 Executive Order creating Reserve reflected clear intent include Reserve. In addition fact refers features necessarily covers tidelands, excluding purpose-to secure oil supply exist both uplands. Section 11(b) Act, noted owned included statement exclusive legislative jurisdiction Enclave Clause, reflects Congress' ratify inclusion defeat those lands. 4.The States' Range's boundaries passed sustained. transfer statehood. 1957 Bureau Sport Fisheries create wildlife refuge clearly encompassed Since low coast, encompasses tidelands. justification accompanying application, describes habitat various species coast further withhold A Department Interior regulation effect was Congress operated "segregate'' pending. 6(e) prevented "set [a] refug[e]'' passing follows all covered so apart,'' retained Range. Exceptions overruled; sustained; recommendations adopted extent consistent Court's opinion. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion Court, STEVENS, KENNEDY, SOUTER, GINSBURG, BREYER, JJ., joined, Parts I, II, III REHNQUIST, C.J., SCALIA THOMAS, joined. concurring dissenting part, SCALIA, G. Thomas Koester, Juneau, AK, defendant. Jeffrey P. Minear, Washington, DC, plaintiff. Justice O'CONNOR Court. 1 original action presents 1979, leave 442 937, 99 2876, 61 307, bill complaint setting out leasing. counterclaimed, seeking decree quieting (now Refuge). appointed Master. 444 1065, 100 1005, 62 747 (1980). Between 1980 1986, oversaw extensive hearings briefing. Before us now report parties. We overrule sustain States. 2 underlying off North Slope. region rich oil, sovereign leases exploration share gas revenues contested 3 Several general govern our analysis parties' claims. Ownership lands-which carries power navigation, fishing, other uses water-is essential attribute sovereignty. 195, 2320, 162 (1987). doctrine Lessee Pollard Hagan, How. 212, 228-229, 11 L.Ed. 565 (1845), new admitted Union "equal footing'' 13 colonies succeed beds their boundaries. Although divest future equal footing we do "lightly infer'' action. Lands, supra, 197, S.Ct., 2321. 4 California, 332 67 1658, 91 1889 (1947) (California I), distinguished located shoreward line. Only line-that is, periodically tidelands waters-pass doctrine. coastline, newly created therefore cannot claim them rationale. Id., 30-33, 1664-1666. Accordingly, paramount rights 33-36, 1665-1667. 1953, California I decision, enacted Stat. 29, 43 U.S.C. §1301 et seq. That "confirmed'' "established'' interest "lands respective States.'' §1311(a). defines ordinarily rights, §1301(a). essentially confirms waters; establishes otherwise held ex rel. Comm'n 457 273, 283, 102 2432, 2438-2439, 73 (1982). Pub.L. 85-508, §6(m), 72 343 (1958). As matter, then, entitled alone 5 Master, 15 specific issues resolution, treat groups. First, disputed legal governing near certain Second, proper characterization particular features, including Flaxman Island chain Sands. Third, whether, became State, northwest Refuge northeast. For reservation, considered whether executive congressional actions 6 excepts recommendations. erred Alaskan were waters,'' limits form portion purposes measuring grant. argues time statehood, policy enclosing behind near-fringing waters.'' abandoning 1971, argues, Federal Government impermissibly "contracted'' recognized territory. challenges "island.'' covering area 28 square miles, surrounding feature. construing relevant definition "island'' applying determining lacked authority prevent Alaska, attempt sufficiently Act. 7 recommendation concerning Refuge. concluded, among things, administrative insufficient apart'' proposed result, 8 consider these turn. II 9 By through see (1958), granted "coast line.'' §§1301(a)(2), 1311(a). term line'' "the ordinary direct contact open marking limit §1301(c). first requires how presence northern shore affects delimitation issue primary relevance Sea, joint federal-state sale so-called Leased Area, conducted December yielded large sums escrow awaiting outcome suit. cases address questions might arise locating relied definitions Zone, Apr. 1958, [1964] U.S.T. 1606 (Convention). See 381 139, 165, 85 1401, 1415-1416, 14 296 (1965) II). Specifically, "baseline'' argued "normal baseline''-the Art. 3, supplemented closing lines drawn across bays mouths rivers, Arts. 7, 13. Article 10(2) Convention, 12 nautical Presidential Proclamation 5928, CFR 547 (1988 Comp.), note §1331, concerned case only determines outer every point nearest baseline. means "arcs-of-circles'' method. objected baseline'' Area mainland. If owns will Two enclaves chain, Sound. To eliminate enclaves, offered alternative theories islands. principally contended required draw "straight baselines'' connecting measure baselines. permits nation use straight baselines " [i]n localities where deeply indented cut into, if fringe immediate vicinity.'' agree satisfies description. landward treated "inland'' waters. rejected finding permissive, mandatory, decision normally one Government. Report 45 (hereinafter Report). never opted 4. 167-169, 1416-1418; 394 11, 72-73, 89 773, 806-807, 22 44 (1969) (Louisiana Boundary Case); 99, 1078, (1985) (Alabama Mississippi Maine, 475 89, 94, n. 9, 106 951, 954, 68 (1986) (Massachusetts Case). variant argument, claimed historically long argue ever specifically asserted, dealings nations, Sound Rather, attempted identify "10-mile rule'' invoked domestic international affairs. applied Coast, argued, require examined practices concluded well-established Alabama Case, suggested 1903 1961 "enclos[ed] areas closely grouped entrance exceeded geographical miles.'' U.S., 106-107, 1082. Observing "strictly necessary'' declined rely correspond reasons discussed below, find error approach. 16 past practice narrow context: specifically, "historic'' 7(6) geographic criteria met, 7(4) "closing mouth bay Waters enclosed internal enclose bays, even satisfy 7(4). body historic bay, "must effectively exercised sovereignty continuously sufficient usage done toleration'' community nations. 102, 1079-1080 (citing Juridical Regime Historic Waters, Including Bays 56, U.N. Doc. A/CN.4/143 (1962)) (internal quotation marks omitted). wishes based area's status demonstrate States: (1) exercises area; (2) continuously; (3) acquiescence 101-102, 1079-1080. 17 Recognizing evidentiary requirements, contend purport show assertion Union, general, publicly stated formula maintains early 1900's published set charts strictly arcs-of-circles method view, relying solely delimit contracts territory existed 18 adopting give content sustained adhered Louisiana left possibility could demonstrating "firm policy'' fringes 73-74, 97, 807-808, 97. Had "consistent official stance,'' "arguably abandon stance gain advantage lawsuit detriment Louisiana.'' Ibid. litigation, ultimately failed 420 529, 529-530, 95 1180, 373 (1975) (decree) (accepting establish islands); O.T.1974, Orig., pp. 7-13. nevertheless Case continuing'' contends precludes claiming then independent evidence supports formulation points B 19 constituted discussing shown asserted Sound, "of 106, 20 estopped questioning recognizes nonmutual collateral estoppel generally unavailable litigation against Mendoza, 464 154, 160-163, 104 568, 572-574, 78 379 (1984), considerations arising jurisdiction, acts factfinder incentive fully litigate issues. 21 occasion case, reason develop Mendoza Even preclude relitigation law necessary court's judgment. Montana 440 147, 153, 970, 973, 59 210 (1979); 158, 571. careful reading makes attach controlling significance formula. recited series statements precedents Mississippi's admission supporting view These multiple references gulfs, estuaries less wide O.T.1983, 40, 42, 48-49, 52, straits id., 49-50. addition, cited letter Solicitor General Director Geodetic Survey Gulf Mexico, proposing ""[w]aters offlying . exceeds ten miles''' 52. 23 excepting qualified "generalized formulations'' claim, without 32-33. assumed position correct, "specific assertions [Mississippi] 107, 1082; 108-110, 1083-1084. 24 light assumption dominion critical conclude inquiry demonstrated well defined cover met requirements context variation imprecision irrelevant consisted But become where, here, relies free constitute C 25 apply, established well-defined, exhaustively catalogued documents reflecting views delimitation, relations disputes 1971. found exact nature matter intricacy,'' 55. afforded "undue minor variations way expressed time, ignoring principle uncertainties contradictions legally insignificant.'' (Alaska Brief). bear claim. 26 Of importance 1949. March 1930, formally delimiting League Nations Conference Codification International Law. Acts Law, 195-201 (1930) Conference). Geographer later observed, assigned individual belts remain "small indenting Exh. 85-223 (Boggs, Delimitation Am. J. Int'l L. 541, 552 (1930)). Because "constitute useful viewpoint navigation,'' ibid., countries "assimilate'' small adjacent single four length enclave, 201. At same Conference, straits. Where connected "two having character seas,'' nation, entrances 200. "merely channel communication sea,'' rules regarding apply. rules, 198. 27 "assimilation'' proposal since 1900's, followed apart, formula, however, sea'' mainland, (that coastline), coastline). assimilation "was most insignificant contradictions'' rather change Brief took different "unequivocally embraced "assimilation' position'' Fringes 54, 60-61; 85-63 (Memorandum Response Request O.T.1949, p. 19); 85-82 (Aide-Memoire Norway, Sept. 4-5). explain why pointed 1949 time. miles. coasts strait, (not waters) linked seas. distance may bearing they words, proposal, leads, forming itself. 29 Rather appears passageway islands, strait. With configuration mind, bay-closing serving "channel "fully consistent'' 25. themselves simple Again, depends leads. principle. advocates, itself 30 sum, although correct call method, neither nor 31 discussion leads developed after decade one, encompass 1950 focuses positions taken relations. 1950, Louisiana's Case. boundary, Chapman Line, southeast Chandeleur Breton Sounds Calliou Bay Line shows 1951, asked outline demarcating California. Acting Secretary manner mainland.'' 85-94 (Letter James E. Webb Howard McGrath, Attorney General, Nov. 13, 3). drew upon Hague proposals straits, noting "a sea.'' submission commented Mississippi, Support Motion Judgment Amended Complaint O.T.1958, 177, 254, 261. 32 exclusively employ 1951 merely echoed above, __-__, always lead result former factor width 33 reflect policy, noted, contemporaneous document explains theory terms 85-88. Indeed, draft memorandum opined screened "not extensively traversed vessels'' "more half total arc 85-400. go far beyond Finally, briefs explicitly Moreover, 363 1, 67, 108, 80 961, 997-998, 1025 (1960), made take Government's concession "to settle location State.'' 34 his tension Massachusetts (1986), year deciding Nantucket Following make O.T.1984, 35 69.2-70. Commonwealth's framed "ancient title'' 105, 959-960. resolved reference need entertained D entitlement determined principles. conclusion. maintenance Whether unclear. 36 exception. 37 next feature's vicinity. 38 starting Generally, which, 1958 purposes. Supra, __. 10(1) naturally-formed land, high-tide.'' serve 10(2), 3. around tide, 11(1)-(2). 11. sea-and belt-only 10(1). 39 here narrowed "above submerged. Apart daily shifts tide level, changes height. 275, 280-283, 309, 66. phenomenon least attributable what expert witness termed "ice collapse.'' formed layers mixed ice. summer months melts slumps elevation. Tr. 986-987, 1060-1062 (July 23, 1984). 40 "high-tide'' "mean water,'' average 19-year period. Cf. 382 448, 449-450, 86 607, 607-608, 517 (1966) (per curiam) (entering defining level water'' tides occurring 18.6 years''); Borax Consol., Ltd. Los Angeles, 10, 26-27, 56 31, (1935) (approving "average height considerable time,'' years). They disagree variable Based "generally,'' "normally,'' "usually'' 302. Applying standard, reviewed historical hydrographic cartographic results monitoring project 1981 1982. He 310. 41 grounds. "usually.'' factual 42 proceedings "permanently'' 17-29, while slump below'' still 64. favor somewhat lenient 44-45, 51, sets forth alternative. observation "an occasionally island,'' 45, implicitly appear episodically merit. specify look guidance. 42-47, 791-793. urging interpretation development provision, earlier drafts specified "permanently high-water mark.'' 297 Francois, [1952] Y.B. 25, 36, A/CN.4/53 (in French; translation 84A-21, 41)); 50. eventual deletion modifier "permanently,'' contains implicit all, 10(1)'s selective. fact, stringent provision introduced 1930. preparatory committee basis discussion: "In order permanently tide.'' Bases Discussion, 54 (1929). subcommittee revised element permanence: "An 219. When Law Commission revived work special rapporteur reintroduced subcommittee's definition. 297. 1954, British delegate adding "in circumstances,'' questioned temporarily "exceptional cas[e].'' Summary Records 260th Meeting, [1954] 92. final circumstances mark,'' Assembly, Gen. Ass. Off. Rec., 11th Sess., Supp. A/3159, (1956). 46 1957, evaluating Commission's words circumstances'' appeared omitted, "current solve problems'' formations unusually states tide. 84A-21 Benjamin H. Read, Islands, Drying Rocks Shoals, 11). presented arguing "there state subnormal islands.'' Official Records: First Committee (Territorial Zone), Meetings Annexes, A/CONF.13/C1./L.112, 242 recommendation, excised 47 recognized, phrase drafters sought accommodate events cause temporary inundation qualifying 300. activity prevailed. language signal sometimes problem 1954 amendment addressed solved "high tide'' water.'' Averaging accounts periodic astronomic forces; nonperiodic, meteorological balance A. Shalowitz, Shore Boundaries 58-59 (1964). highest monthly season unusual weather, 48 What insular abnormally rises falls water-a datum already accounted abnormalities about concerned. elevation, exhibits pattern slumping according "ephemera[l]'' 45-50. authorities cites predate unhelpful analogy "mudlumps'' delta, whose determined. (filed July 1974) (concluding mudlumps, mudlumps low-tide elevations 11(1)); (overruling exceptions). 49 identifies 50 disputing "frequently 39, sources. produced 1949-1950 survey party depict describing "new bar baring feet'' 84A-203 (U.S. Survey, Descriptive Accompany Hydrographic H-7761, 3); 84A-202 Addendum H-7760, 4). ad hoc interagency group Baseline Committee, charged 1979 map lease Prudhoe 51 acknowledge, 53, 1971 chart leasing observations. 1956, resumed charting observations Navy vessel prior year. undisputed members persuaded personal member party. 84A-207 (Department Memorandum Members Minutes Oct. 2) (noting "has used basepoint breadth surveys Admiral Nygren personally observed water''). assigning 52 question, party's feet together visual undermines 309. not. 53 emphasizes "many times "occasionally submerged.'' 44. dispositive; question given day, lies relation precisely problem, jointly commissioned $2.5 million study calculate determine datum. using readings, Ocean computed calculated band account years readings. engineering Sands' March, June, August 1981. Comparing measurements surveyed. little weight likely piles disturbed measurements, true points. continued 1982 1983. visit September, fallen possibly foot, 281-282, placing May 1983, several times, known. helicopter estimates inches September "consistently'' September-the end season-in Relying largely 1981-1983 data, 55 mention project. methodological objections length, 255-269, revisit unpersuasive. measurement exhaustive designed contending "handful occasions,'' late September. 54. natural processes build up "just autumn freeze-up,'' remains nine ibid. There record, winter months. During winter, completely pack sole 1981, 286. record remained until collapse'' caused slump, compel favor. suggest lose status, bringing qualifies 57 finally urges compromise deemed attempts recognition concept "ambulatory aid treats modern, ambulatory 5, 768, 770-771, (Texas 32-34, 785-787. Shifts shore, acknowledged, shift maritime zone turn, change. 58 An very gradually accreting eroding shore. disappear periodically, depending Not reading, sensible provisions impossible. separately categorizes Articles toward datum, disappear. Quite costly time-consuming efforts, oscillates IV third concerns (Reserve), 23-million acre reservation northwestern State. runs Icy Cape west Colville River east. began, focusing sinuosities instead inlets, river estuaries. initially conceded boundary. 450 544, 101 1245, 493 (1981), consent relief concession, (Jan. 4, separate proceeding pending District Nos. A83-343, A84-435, A86-191 (D.Alaska), stayed resolution present 347, 60 longer rested premises: first, reserving (as opposed conveying party); second, authorized President 1910 statute Pickett Act; third, question. grounds, promulgated authority. discuss background arguments Property IV, §3, cl. 2, "Congress shall Power dispose needful Rules Regulations respecting Territory belonging Shively Bowlby, 152 48, 548, 566, 331 (1894), extended granting private parties, thereby defeating title, carry hold Territory.'' purpose, thus resolve 201, 2323, doctrine-that waters-and virtue Act-that 63 cases, court bed begin strong presumption'' title. Montana, 552, 1251-1252; 197-198, 2321-2322. infer "unless intention definitely declared plain.'' Holt Bank, 270 49, 55, 199, 70 465 (1926). presumption sea-over authority: Any ""construed States.''' Opposition (quoting Comm'n, 287, 2440). agreed "less demanding standard'' require. 394. Nevertheless, analyzed withdrawal "stricter'' reasoning test test. 64 Neither grants property, scope construed permit ignore statute's terms, provide receives unless "expressly retain[s]'' them. §1313(a) (emphasis added). "doubts'' withheld favor, doing "express'' retention none exists. into holding 35-36, 1666-1667; 339 699, 704, 914, 916-917, 94 1216 (1950); Texas, 707, 719, 918, 924, 1221 (1950). chosen exercise presumptively retained'' 65 Reinforcing Act's reach governed statute, like legislated backdrop cases. 1251, 2. indication formulating intended upset settled impose see, e.g., 199 (holding "definitely plain''), carried forward Lands. rests course, intent. instrument reserve, differently statutory doctrine, confirmed statute. 66 ask Harding 1923. described line,'' ocean side sandspits reefs lagoons point, shore.'' Exec. 3797-A, Orders (1980) (microform, reel 6). includes lagoons'' (to refers) rivers (which boundary). 381. exterior 62. proposition, primarily decisions 554, 1252-1253, 202, 2323-2324. trustee Crow Tribe, declaratory judgment riverbed Big Horn conveyed beneficial Tribe. inside Reservation treaty 1868, refer riverbed. 1249, 1252-1253. "strong conveyance States'' "mere especially express overcome conveyance,'' though creation Indian "appropriate purpose'' justifying fishing important Tribe's life. 556, 1253-1254. 69 Lake Sundry Appropriations 1888, 505, Geological select "sites reservoirs hydraulic works storage utilization irrigation prevention floods overflows.'' 526. selected reservoir site. 2322. 1890, repealed 1888 provided "that sites heretofore segregated reserved entry settlement [the Act].'' 391. sites, focused motivated settlers suitable reclamation efforts. 198, 203, 2321-2322, 2324. "monopolization speculation'' "had nothing lakes.'' ability impaired land 2323-2324; Arizona 546, 597-598, 83 1468, 1496-1497, 542 (1963); 283 423, 451-452, 457, 522, 524-525, 75 1154 (1931). reports coupled 1890 requirement segregated, accomplished lakebed. lakebed documents, placed context, indicate reservation. 206, 2325-2326. reserved. developing lake. 208, 2325-2327. 71 reliance misplaced reasons. define encloses reefs, -specifically, islands.1 purpose Pacific 248 78, 87-89, 41-42, 138 (1918) (reservation "body lands'' southeastern Metlakahtla Indians Indians' subsistence). retain containing deposits. seepages petroleum conditions favorable occurrence valuable fields Coast,'' goal securing "at national concern.'' resources subsurface deposits undermined excluded. simply plausible upland portions area. supported "public exigency'' "international duty'' Shively, away duty exigency,'' 50, 566. constitutional obligation. limitation purpose: pre-statehood territories ""in perform obligations, improvement promotion convenience commerce nations Territory.''' 196-197, 2320-2321 added) 566). fulfilled purpose-namely, defense. embraces interpreted embrace others. Reserve, exclude forfeit distinguishes unnecessary achieving objectives. PCS2 74 §11(b) 347. section "power legislation Clause Constitution, §8, 17] tracts parcels as, immediately said military purposes, naval numbered Reserve].'' §11(b), referring "owned States,' contemplate[d] Reserve.'' 433. §11(b)'s says [since] retains plenary regulate defense purposes.'' align Lake, defeated preserve 2326-2327. 76 argument fails ignores "authority purposes,'' extract resources. being drained "exclusive legislation'' acquires property. Dravo Contracting Co., 302 134, 141, 142, 213, 82 155 (1937) (" [The Clause] governs legislature described'') added); Collins Yosemite Park & Curry 304 518, 527, 1009, 1013, 1502 (1938) face, "owned'' 77 continue aware reinforced legislation, just 85-303, §2(a), 623. exempted "all Reserve] '' §3(d) contrast achieve objective-securing uplands statehood-and lands-would thwarted purported 58-60. referred property enactments, discloses 79 1910, ch. 421, 847, stated: [T]he may, discretion, withdraw settlement, location, sale, water-power irrigation, classification orders withdrawals, withdrawals reservations force revoked him Congress.'' §1, 847 (repealed Land Policy Management 1976, 94-579, §704(a), 90 2792). 81 nowhere mentions gave Its mainly proposition "withdraw[al]'' subject laws "withdrawn.'' 2324 (1888 designated ""reserved entry, occupation'''; rejecting exempt occupation); Mann Tacoma 153 284, 820, 822, 714 (1894) ("the respect extend lands''); 566 ("Congress undertaken of'' waters). Assuming arguendo construction case. ratified Despite protestations contrary, retaining satisfied Lands' recognizing, 205-207, 2325-2326 (examining providing "shall settlement,'' signaled ratification lake bed; ground notice lake); Holden Joy, Wall. 211, 247, 523 (1872) (rejecting challenge President's Cherokee Nation; delegation President, "repeatedly recognized'' validity enacting appropriation statutes). aside source Navy. acknowledged Reserve-to V northeastern 1959. November Interior's submitted 8.9 acres preservation wilderness Alaska.'' (Application Withdrawal Public Order, 1). January 1959, Union. On 6, 1960, issued 2214, "reserved'' "for Fish Service Range.'' Fed.Reg. 12598. 1980, expanded additional 9.2 renamed 96-487, §303(2)(A), 2390. Range-filed Union-could transferred real conservation protection wildlife, withdrawn refuges wildlife.'' §6(e), 341. Among Range, combined filing segregate selection, lease, forms disposal laws, mining for, effected, disposal.'' §295.11(a) (Supp.1958). principal theory, segregating "setting projected refuge. so, §6(e) prevents (Emphasis added.) together, "caused reservation,'' yet reservation'' granted. (first emphasis arguably calls infra, __-__. 87 effective accepted, 478-495. supplemental briefing decided attached seacoast "provid[ing] polar bears, foxes, seals, whales,'' Management, 2); reasoned [could] thought upland,'' 496. mark Coast; changed extreme pointing "meant permanent effect,'' whatever 88 regulation, read "as refug[e] defends application. grounds ultimate intend essence, -a appearing except. 495-499. clear, meaning inquiries overlap considerably. waters-which Act-and sea-which entered §1313(a); logic therefore, did, another. significantly, clear. satisfying second inquiry, subsection PCS1 contained description beginning Ocean'' Canadian border "westerly bars, islands'' Brownlow Point. 81, "bars'' "reefs.'' illustrates bodies explained "countless lakes, ponds, marshes [within Range] nesting numbers migratory waterfowl spend bottoms willow thickets furnish moose. whales.'' 16, habitats mentioned upland. 92 bars distinguish reserved, despite fell involved properly understood, 1252-1253; Similarly, 2323-2324, Here, contrast, protect, preserving aquatic habitats. 93 resists ""all laws' locations.'' Reply laws. 17; occupation). misreads seek (presumably apply), Wildlife. ("The Alaska''). earlier, Creation served reveal 14. statehood-thereby confirming lands-Alaska presumably place. notion completed stage proceedings. defend connection delegated parallel Oral Arg. 80-81. event, squarely Our equally impediment designating encompassing accomplish recognizing actions. 97 it; face reefs. reservation-protecting Range-supported 98 acquire subdivisions. §5, 340. provision. [a]ll situated fisheries [provided] [t]hat 340-341. "withdrawn wildlife,'' transferring Shortly filed, announced Press Release, 20, 1957); (statement Seaton). Formal Register 1958. 364. considering informed maps showing enclave embracing Interior, Alaska: Withdrawals Reservations, 8).2 submission, 10355, 873 (1949-1953 "withdraw[ing] set[ting] wildlife'' §6(m) 1953 confirm either category contemplated lands-both sea-so illustrates, operative remaining head Wildlife, acted, §6(e). 1952 provided: 103 "The receipt disposal. extent, applications allowance discretionary, subsequent applications, suspended taken.'' foreclosed prevent. discretionary land. segregation denied §295.13(c). 464. straightforward §295.11. operate object quite clear: prevent, pendency frustrate implicated wherever threat exists-whether segregates disposal, opening lay opened See, 1900, §26, 329-330 (providing "land shoal shores, inlets Bering gold precious metals''); 1938, 297, 588 (extending Alaska''); Aug. 8, 1947, 916 nontidal provisions, premise-that control-is flawed. accepted "did dedicating purpose.'' proviso "wildlife statehood.'' granted, disagree. interpretation, reservations. refuges'' wildlife. —(Emphasis render terminology superfluous. avoid "renders altogether redundant.'' Gustafson Alloyd 513 561, 574, 115 1061, 1069, 131 (1995). intent, "otherwise refug[e],'' word "as'' presently established; aptly preventing 108 partial dissent's contrary certainty becoming reservation.'' Post, __ (THOMAS, part). dissent requiring "certainty'' occur, converting used, §6(e)'s 79; Letter Bruce M. Botelho Clerk Mar. 1997, 1. instruments disclaims §6(b) amount "vacant, unappropriated, unreserved'' approved 1960 unreserved,'' main clause clause, Range-uplands proviso. Unless lands-submerged uplands-covered 109 Further refuge, recommendation. VI 110 rulings Zone; 111 directed prepare submit consideration. entertain proceedings, enter orders, writs advisable effectuate supplement forthcoming 112 costs. 113 ordered. 114 djQ whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE join, part. finds purchase. join holds Number [Alaska's] statehood,'' then-unapproved respectfully 116 turn posited possible specificity declare waters-lands viewed benefit States,'' (1987) omitted)-the employed ownership. sea-those vested Act-ought presumed hands 2440, 117 my enactment lands-inland territorial-are 118 wake (1947), widely deeded lying bands coasts. §3(a), §1311(a); 515, 525, 1155, 1160-1161, (1975). 119 manage, administer, develop, accordance applicable be, are, hereof, confirmed, established, §3(a). 120 §2(a)(2), §1301(a)(2). undertaking "ves[t] assig[n] to'' enclaves. §2(a)(1) (defining navigable'') Accordingly-and majority point-coastal entering passage gained operation 121 exceptions. §5 excepted §3's ceded (otherwise cession marginal sea).'' §5(a), (or territorial) seems me §3(a) received consult conflicting presumptions, two-part tests, anything settled.1 122 expression retention. But, shorthand decades retained,'' "clearly "affirmatively land.'' (emphases curious. lend construction. restatement Were majority's pre-Act "carried forward,'' ante, __, colorable. happens, retention-as conveyance-of 200, 2322-2323. response, crafted today. Whatever test, believe obvious effective. 123 think, attributed have, example, affirm "clear especial words,'' Martin Waddell, Pet. 367, 411, 997 (1842), stream,'' Packer Bird, 137 661, 672, 210, 819 (1891). believe, passages captures. "lands'' "expres[s],'' embrac[e] much analysis, inferred from, undertaking. sure, looked efforts (1926), "disposals lightly inferred, regarded plain. After inferred,'' all. respect, higher it.2 124 Report, majority, slightly opinion, meeting focuses, instead, "purpose "critical intent.'' Ante, original). concludes establishing Reserve-primarily ensure possession boundaries-would So [i]t plausible,'' area.'' me, beside point. Congress, incorporated 343, demanded best way-indeed, way-for realize "expressly'' concludes, (the Harding's Order). not-as not-"in cannot, anymore Act.3 125 Absent effected Alaska-including 126 rejects acknowledge close, exception.4 127 keeps "title personal, lands.'' Stat., subsections §6 variety agencies "transfe[r] conve[y]'' Alaska'' statutes. "such 341.5 128 was, refug[e].'' accomplished, Range'' corner. 447, (Report) Exhibit 81).6 "withdrawn'' 41; 463. because, told, mechanism apart' refuge.'' 41. regulations "temporarily 6614 (1957). [s]uch affect 129 regulation's effect, disagrees, asserting refug[e],' "as' established.'' phrase,'' "aptly 130 Wildlife's (and statehood), say lands-if any-included "designated (""The Alaska''') 1) unknown them) also, "administrative jurisdiction'' Management. administer administered one. were, "forms disposal'' §295.11(a). am willing apart.'' quo Secretary's nullity. Contrary suggestion refuge,'' 41, refuges. §295.9 (listing who refuges). overstated he set-apart refuge-if made-would adverse decision. procedures intervened Bureau's ministerial, wise (see §295.12 (1958) (describing procedures)), accurately Thus, goes saying ambitious refug[e].''7 132 contention redundant, "completed broad capture ways created-not unlike conferred. fairly reservations.'' Requiring reservation-by created-does redundant. 133 reasons, correctly 134 status. concur And, finally, objection last points, dissent. syllabus constitutes prepared Reporter Decisions reader. Detroit Timber Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 499. puzzling. waters.''' part) (1891)). certainly inference least, 1943 82, 1599, revoked, 12599 (1960). Five PLO modification 12, 2; 32, depicts current boundaries, lands.\ enactment, obtaining independently Determining pre-existing involves, complex retroactivity act incorporates. 5(a)'s generous (1987), reservation-as manifestly lacking "affirmatively'' thought, policy. not, perceive §5(a). prestatehood 623, "oil "reinforc[e]'' "conclusion proves circa capable not-and could-operate arises review Question 9. it, admit bafflement undertakes 10. answer file objected. us, pari materia §5. inquire (never mind outstrip §5) forgoing has, opportunity up. force, 29. acquiesced understand citation poststatehood relevant, surely strenuously

Classification Label: 9