Legal Document

500 U.S. 380 111 S.Ct. 1877 114 L.Ed.2d 420 State of ILLINOIS, Plaintiff,v.Commonwealth KENTUCKY. No. 106, Orig. Argued March 18, 1991. Decided May 28, Syllabus In a dispute between Illinois and Kentucky over their common boundary, the Special Master has recommended that this Court determine boundary to be "low-water mark on northerly side Ohio River as it existed in year 1792," rather than river's low-water "as exists from time time"; find record does not support Kentucky's affirmative defenses acquiescence laches its based "principles riparian boundaries, including accretion, erosion avulsion"; construction dams river caused present farther north was 1792; order two States' determined nearly 1792 line can now ascertained. filed exceptions. Held: 1. The is 1792. Pp. 383-388. (a) This rule used neighboring States Ohio, v. Kentucky, 444 335, 100 588, 62 530, Indiana, Indiana 136 479, 10 1051, 34 L.Ed. 329; history precedent supplied those cases govern here. 383-384. (b) proved that, under doctrine prescription acquiescence, transient mark. fails claim long continuous possession of, assertion sovereignty over, land within territory delimited by imposed property taxes only 3 15 structures extending into question. And evidence ad valorem taxation barges other watercraft traveling speak directly issue, since undisputed sailing jurisdiction, would rarely venture near disputed territory. Moreover, both Legislative Research Commission General Assembly Commonwealth's Attorney have made references boundary. Nor Illinois' acquiescence. descriptions following "along [the River's] north-western shore" earlier versions Constitution are verbatim recitations congressional language describing State's Enabling Act, correctly reasoned Congress intended southern same granted when they were formed. addition, Supreme took an even less hospitable view toward adopted, for almost 50 years, theory ratchetted forever southward deepest point. 384-388. (c) likewise unavailing. defense generally inapplicable against State. boundaries" require no extended consideration, concedes these affect ultimate determination if prevailed issues 388-389. 2. exception finding permanently raised level above 1792, consequently placing sustained. Any question about relative locations today's premature should after further recommendations resolve any disputes parties may exact location line. P. 389. Exceptions Master's Report sustained part overruled part, adopted case remanded. SOUTER, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Rickie Leon Pearson, Frankfort, Ky., defendant. John Brunsman, Springfield, Ill., plaintiff. Justice SOUTER 1 we return again geography valley, consider Commonwealth with Illinois. We hold along shore 2 * July 1986, sought leave file bill complaint invoking Court's original jurisdiction disagreement States. See Const., Art. III, § asked declare "the . 1-2, enjoin "from disturbing manner or citizens peaceful use, enjoyment all land, water boundaries established Court," id., at complaint, 479 879, 107 265, 93 243 (1986), appointed Honorable Robert Van Pelt Master.** answer denied claimed time." "affirmative defenses" laches, invoked certain boundaries." 4 spent next three years discovery and, submitting January 1990, additional develop evidentiary After receiving April submitted report Court, which ordered filed. 498 ----, 31, 112 9 (1990). 5 (1) 1792"; (2) "support defenses"; (3) [to be] (4) determined, line] ascertained, either agreement parties, joint survey agreed upon absence such survey, [by Court] hearings conducted submission him proposed findings conclusions." 48-49. 6 exceptions report. While challenges many factual findings, primary conclusion failed prove claim, styled defense, time. II A. 7 agree large measure threshold issue presented resolved 530 (1980), held holding Virginia's 1784 cession United lands "northwest Ohio" succession northwest reaching statehood Id., 337-338, S.Ct., 589-590. relied prior 518-519, 1056-1057, 329 (1890), Field, reviewed followed "when became State." Ibid. general determining separating also historical 8 has, indeed, conceded "if before simply matter law, controlling precedent." (emphasis original). assume, rather, turn law decided but "factual Illinois." 9-10. contends asserted, acquiesced assertion, River, Although "defense," successfully proved, counter establish own position. To do need show preponderance evidence, first, Longstanding "[p]ossession dominion essential elements acquiescence." Georgia South Carolina, 497 110 2903, 2912, 309 then burden acts jurisdiction. As stated Oklahoma Texas, 272 21, 47, 47 9, 17, 71 145 (1926), there "general principle public law" States, "long right exercise it, conclusive rightful authority." supra, U.S., 2911 ("[L]ong practical interstate accordance therewith, often been aid resolving disputes" States). developed thorough review voluminous concluded had neither action might time, nor claim. extensive merit discussion seriatim, examination few will indicate conclusions. 11 first assessed bearing dominion. According example, permanent structure out northern bank subject taxing power, one indicia sovereignty. case, however, shows tax extend out, into, shoreline. Of affected taxpayers, who received south taxed Illinois, another paid protest, "claiming [taxed] 37. remaining 12 never Kentucky. advanced what stronger having exercised exclusive up offering river. But case. Vessels usually follow charted Army Corps Engineers which, most stretch question, close center shore. line, like river, 38. thought comparatively narrow sliver shore, where venture. sliver, been, best, equivocal, accordingly correct he observed fact "traveling acknowledged entire breadth river." 13 failure engage consistent unequivocal occupation stand alone, concerned officers done, said, well. said several instances, supported each taken position recent past border An Information Bulletin issued December 1972 states " 'Kentucky's North Western to-wit, recognized created Virginia.' 15. 1963 asserted 'law, course [mark] state 1792.' 12. These statements came our attention last found "of little interest" deciding 340-341, 590-591, "Kentucky sources themselves, reference boundary." It hardly interest 14 Just representative longstanding area equally unsupportive true 1818 described shore," Ill.Const., Preamble (1818), description employed Constitutions 1848 1870, see I (1848), (1870). Act 1818, ch. 67, Stat. 428, "[w]hat ceded Virginia ." 28. current version Constitution, 1970, omits 1870 Constitution's remained point dealing come attention. People ex rel. Scott Dravo Corp., Ill.App.3d 944, 944-945, 295 N.E.2d 284, 285 (1973), cert. denied, 416 951, 94 1959, 40 300 (1974). courts some interests did. Joyce-Watkins Co. Industrial Comm'n, 325 Ill. 378, 381, 156 N.E. 346, 348 (1927), "point receded lowest stage." until least 1973, while plainly conflicts decisions (1890) use did acquiesce edge northward 16 Such force adduced, B 17 Block Dakota, 461 273, 294, 103 1811, 1823, 75 840 (1983) (O'CONNOR, dissenting) (collecting authorities); Guaranty Trust 304 126, 132-133, 58 785, 788-789, 82 1224 (1938); cf. Weber Board Harbor Comm'rs, 18 Wall. 57, 70, 21 798 (1873) (statutes limitations applicable State). governing takes account broad policy disfavoring untimely rights underlies statutes limitations, so through satisfy. avulsion," 48-49 ("It prevails well-recognized principles avulsion obviously apply shoreline change time"). previously much, concluding accepted rules accretion attendant wandering river," application because "historical factors" stemming 337, 589. 19 final goes Part III.C. calls premature, agree. Indeed, himself suggested might, necessary, "be later date," III 20 Recommendation Master, effect modern overruled. report, save (3), remanded proceedings necessary prepare submit appropriate decree adoption locating ordered. ** June 1988, new Matthew J. Jasen, Esq., replace Judge Pelt, died 1988. 487 1215, 108 2866, 101 902.

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