Legal Document

429 U.S. 363 97 Supreme Court Reporter 582 50 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 550 OREGON ex rel. STATE LAND BOARD, Petitioner,v.CORVALLIS SAND AND GRAVEL COMPANY. CORVALLIS COMPANY, Petitioner, versus BOARD. Nos. 75-567, 75-577. Argued Oct. 4, 1976. Decided Jan. 12, 1977. Syllabus This litigation involves a dispute between the State of Oregon and an corporation over ownership two portions land underlying Willamette River, which is navigable but not interstate boundary. The first portion has been within riverbed since Oregon's admission into Union, while second in area that was part at time later became because changes river's course. In ejectment action brought by against corporation, had digging disputed for 40 to years without lease from State, trial court awarded on ground it acquired sovereign title thereto upon Union conveyed it, with respect found avulsion, rather than accretion, caused river channel therefore remained its original owner before riverbed. Appeals affirmed, taking view bound apply federal common law resolution Bonelli Cattle company Arizona, 414 313, 94 517, 38 526, accordingly holding court's award correct either under theory avulsion or exception accretion rule, preservation State's interest navigation, fishing, other related goals did require acquire new certain modifications dealing only factual question regarding length portion. Held: lands should be decided solely as matter law, application required neither equal-footing doctrine nor any principle law. If issue pass doctrine, state subject defeasance governs subsequent dispositions. A similar result obtains case riparian doctrine; issues relating such property, like real unless some requires different result. Co., supra, wrong treating source after vested Arizona case's cases instant one overruled. Pp. 368-382. 272 Or. 545, 536 Pacific Reporter, 2nd 517; 550, 538 70, vacated remanded. Robert Mix, Corvallis, Or., Corvallis Sand & Gravel Russell Iungerich, Los Angeles, Cal., Rptr. California (West’s) amicus curiae, special leave Court. Peter S. Herman, Salem, Land Bd. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion 1 lawsuit began when sued settle River. river, this located near Oregon. 2 State. Sand, seeking recover 11 separate parcels riverbed, well damages use parcels. complaint alleged virtue sovereignty fee simple entitled immediate possession damages. denied bed. 3 Each party partially successful courts,1 we granted cross petitions certiorari. 423 1048, 46 636. Those courts understandably felt our recent decision 526 (1973), they ascertain principles controversy. Twenty-six have joined three briefs urging reconsider Bonelli, what assert significant departure long-established precedent 4 * nature contentions parties may briefly stated. Title distinct throughout. these apparently bed River Union. 5 underlies known Fischer Cut, admitted prior flood occurred November 1909, flowed around peninsula-like formation Island, 1890 clearly discernible overflow across neck peninsula developed. Before 1909 carried flow intermediate high stages, main continued Island. But major flood, words court, "suddenly great force violence converted Cut river." 6 sitting jury, all dispute, except lands, That those title. also recompense Sand's lands. 7 With change 8 affirmed. bound, property dispute. so doing, so-called announced Commissioners States, 270 Federal KF105 F3 110 (CA8 1920).2 finding bed, rejected argument follows course moves. II 9 Court, urges modify expound "federal law" way will established. interpret manner prevail. Amici, previously noted, urge re-examine their represented sharp break well-established previous decisions Court.3 10 former Colorado abandoned rechanneling project. actual however, suit. Bonelli's predecessor received patent land. Over period migrated gradually eastward, eroding east bank depositing alluvion west process. movement land, bank, submerged, and, until project, most water. After completion project substantially narrowed, re-emerged. held owned beds rivers borders, eastward migration Colorado. went hold re-emergence avulsive change, divest exposed certiorari reversed Arizona. 12 We phrased critical inquiry words: 13 "The us rights accorded private (land) owners holds sovereign; but, rather, how far right extends Submerged Lands Act whether retains formerly beneath stream defeasible withdrawal waters." U.S., 319-320, 523. (Emphasis added.) 14 govern deciding retained re-emerged stream, relying Borax, Consolidated, Limited 296 10, 56 23, 80 L.Ed. (1935). extent validity grant resolved conferred set forth Pollard's Lessee Hagan, How. 212, 565 (1845), likewise governed Under "the same rights, jurisdiction . possess respective borders." Mumford Wardwell, Wall. 423, 436, 18 756 (1867). waters boundaries. 15 discuss sovereign's lie protection fisheries, purposes. construed case, Arizona's sufficient enable retain governing formed where there applicable. chose would both ensure access water's edge prevent receiving windfall. owner, question. 16 Our analysis today leads conclude incorrect. summarize basis conclusion, then elaborate greater detail Parts III IV, infra. 17 date rule supra. Although fix initial boundary line fast riverbeds vests absolutely operation Wilcox Jackson, Pet. 498, 264 (1839); Weber Harbor Comm'rs, 57, 21 798 (1873). thesis effect error. Once spent; operate determine titles might have. error, now see enunciated Hagan could supersede determination titles. Precisely contrary true; itself resulted acquisition notwithstanding efforts Government dispose another way. 19 not, therefore, provide own applied were present requiring displaced. basis4 colorable claim originally patented just Western States. long hence, weight general body Pet., 264. Since right, believe 20 receives absolute waterways boundaries contains slightest suggestion "defeasible" technical sense term. patent, issued Alabama validly convey underlain Alabama's admission. following jury charge, given below: "(T)hat if (the jury) believed premises below usual water-mark, union, act Congress, pursuance thereof, give plaintiffs no title, receded labour man only, ." How., 220. 22 regarded signal importance, observed approached "with importance states particularly ones." Ibid. Catron, his dissenting opinion, commented he deemed important controversy ever respects amount involved, judgment proceeds Id., 235. gave careful consideration role trust recognition "upon equal footing, whatever 224. Citing Martin Waddell, 367, 410, 997 (1842), noted " 'absolute waters, soils them use, surrendered Constitution.' 229. concluded: 23 "First, shores them, Constitution reserved respectively. Secondly, sovereignty, states. Thirdly, public power Congress make needful rules regulations sale disposition 230. 24 holding, established provision admitting Union5 third capable defeating. 25 Thus itself. laid down followed unbroken clear thus concerned. For example, Wall., 65-66, 798, reaffirmed Lessee: 26 "Upon footing in, dominion over, tidewaters her limits passed consequent said she deem proper, paramount navigation 27 Barney Keokuk, 324, 338, 224 (1877), extended nontidal nonetheless navigable, consistent earlier extension admiralty Propeller Genesee Chief Fitzhugh, 443, 1058 (1852). And Shively Bowlby, 152 1, 548, 331 (1894), recounted extenso many Lessee. summarizing 57-58, 569, stated: 28 adoption constitution tide jurisdictions. littoral proprietors soil (the) high-water mark, are laws several states, constitution." 29 At authority stood side with, wholly questions Where Mexico tidal ceding territory ultimately California, succeed Knight Assn., 142 161, 258, 35 974 (1891). boundary, exercise suits necessarily developed See, e. g., Nebraska Iowa, 143 359, 396, 36 186 (1892); Arkansas Tennessee, 246 158, 301, 62 638 (1918). possesses commerce "navigational servitude" waters. 30 "All control purpose regulating improving although shore submerged various individual always servitude created favor government Gibson 166 269, 271-272, 578, 579, 41 996 (1897). 31 Borax (1935), rationale does dictate case. city Angeles suit quiet Harbor. claimed whereas Ltd., successor patentee. purported specified quantity 18.88 acres, according survey General Office. recognized tidelands, invalid rightfully doctrine. 17-19, S.Ct., 26-27. affirmed remand allow attempt prove described fact tideland. 32 upland tideland determined 22, 29. fixing Union; thereafter ended, expressions suggesting more expansive Lessee.6 33 contour transfers Joy St. Louis, 201 332, 343, 478, 481, 776 (1906). Indeed once having antedates As ago 1839, said: 34 "We true this, whenever federal, is, passed, must States; whenever, laws, shall state, legislation; legislation States." approach perverse An free choose legal resolve disputes riverbeds; subsequently constrained common-law determinations antithetical desires 332-333, 529 (Stewart, J., dissenting). Thus, dispositions.7 IV consistently 37 system, country controls acquisition, transmission, transfer defines relation parties, statutes state." Davies Warehouse Bowles, 321 144, 155, 64 474, 480, 88 635 (1944). even heyday teachings Swift Tyson, 865 carved out local property. 18. See Little Lake Misere 412 580, 591, 93 2389, 2396, 187 (1973). applies banks waterways, held. involved plaintiff involving along Mississippi noting early doctrines based then-discarded English presumed nonnavigable, articulated formulate, modify, saw fit: 39 "Whether, safe (arising confusion classification nonnavigable) applied, remarked, themselves determine. resign proprietor properly belong capacity, others raise objections. 997; 565, Goodtitle Kibbe, id. 471, These tide-water, enunciate equally applicable 338. canvassed emphasized ownership. concluded grants bordering "leave uplands each 58, 570. again Packer Bird, 137 661, 669, 210, 819 (1891): "(W)hatever incidents attach condition do impair efficacy grants, enjoyment grantee." 42 squarely patentee's Spain, confirmed letters patent. accretions confer federal-question jurisdiction, implicitly notion law"8 resolution. Central holding: 43 "As (A)cts stated petition, gradual deposits belongs cited, arising 481. V 44 Upon full reconsideration think support override There obviously institutional considerations face reason overrule adhere cut ways. Substantive peculiarly stare decisis. insurance 265 472, 621, 68 1110 (1924). 45 Here, substantive such, constitutional decisis play less Cf. Passenger Cases, 283, 470, 702 (1849) (Taney, C. dissenting); Burnet Coronado Oil Gas 285 393, 405-411, 52 446-449, 76 815 (1932) (Brandeis, Smith Allwright, 649, 757, 987 Even focus concern unsettling lead it. Minnesota National 334, (1866). system adhered 1845 1973, past years, return closely conform expectations adherence latter. persuaded that, large positions taken presented deliberate repudiation gone before. proceeded view, mistaken, read expansively subsilentio reasons, 47 review vacated, remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 48 It ordered. 49 BRENNAN, dissenting. N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions affirm 51 MARSHALL, whom WHITE joins, overrules three-year-old decision, seven eight participating Justices joined. addition, announce occasion arises, today's Hughes Washington, 389 290, 438, 530 (1967), nine-year-old Justices.1 surprising, say least, find nearly unanimous swept away name ante, 381-382. 53 public, especially holders whose derive deserve explanation Court's Yet majority contend circumstances changed 1973 experience shown unworkable. Nor explain why finds commanded almost unanimously twice last decade. left, then, mystery. 54 respectfully suggest solution puzzle hard find. contrast Courts, decides present,2 brief,3 argue.4 By benefit "that concrete adverseness sharpens presentation largely depends illumination difficult questions". Baker Carr, 369 186, 204, 82 691, 703, 663 (1962). lack path. 55 elects decide riparian5 interpreted grant; conclusion unjustifiably limited interpretation meaning grant. undisputed quality being riparian" perhaps land's 'most valuable feature' parcel itself." 326, quoting 293, 440. New Orleans 662, 717, 573 (1836). natural course, tends move, reflected erosion, reliction. Prior ruling, grantees correctly understood incorporated precise location depend movements water 57 can doubt grantee's expectation belief recognize shifts occasioned founded. One hundred forty ago, obvious whoever alluvial existing upland: 58 settled person bounded water, formations, still including accumulated soil. No principles. Every loss, means add territory: remedy way, cannot accountable gain." (emphasis added). 59 statement quoted County Clair Lovingston, 46, 68, (1874). note: future right. inherent essential attribute property." Similarly, (1894),6 60 everywhere admitted, encroaches imperceptible degrees, bounding fresh king persons, independent covered water." 35, 561 61 additions7 grant, cf. American Law Property § 15.27, Page 859 (A. Judge Casner ed. 1952), protected impact denies "a concerns done States" "necessarily question." 29, concerned, fixed ambulatory Ante, 376. discarded Hughes. concludes compel dramatic shift (1839),8 commander military post post. registration certificate. notes, language: 63 517 italicized language, makes comment, explains Denial holder's changing "consistent 65 (1891),9 construe reaching stream. Wilcox, hands Government. predecessor, influence "subject (state) (federal) 212. Today's allows federally simply refusing titleholders' removes fundamental limitation power. 66 attempts draw proposition conveys edge, middle (1877),10 Keokuk filled ordinary mark. asserted adjacent upland. "(i)t generally conceded attaches effected causes." 337. Whether considered explained, edge; wish beyond point, discretion. id., transforms may, wish, enlarge restrict transformation impressive, logical. 67 mark Columbia prestatehood Bowlby claimed,11 so, 48-57, 566-569. indicates, engaged thorough cases. summarized conclusions, part, follows: 69 569. 70 unlike majority, realized affect benefits changes.12 "independent 561. 36, 561.13 71 refute majority's contention results sharply departed cannot, pre-statehood assumed grantee made. Moreover, demonstrate holding. discussed States' holder 72 ruling choice-of-law decision. formulate "normally guiding conflict policy specifically shown." Wallis Pan Petroleum Corp., 384 63, 86 1301, 1304, (1966). KF135 P2 Bator, Mishkin, D. Shapiro, Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Wechsler, Hart Wechsler's Courts System 756-832 (2d 1973). order assure informed policies interests faced choice invited Solicitor file brief curiae expressing views States.14 382 810, 80, (1965); Yiatchos Yiatchos, 372 905, 83 721, 715 (1963). practice 409 1022, 461, 313 (1972), Hughes, 385 807, 87 82, (1966), participated 73 made effort inform about Indeed, consider issue, normally central show, amici here hostile 74 know indicated considering him submissions strongly urged 200 miles shoreline threatened interpretations Memorandum Amicus Curiae 1-2, filed Sept. 20, O.T. Number 72-397. state-court narrow 3-5. 75 reversed. explained serious threat: broad consequence. trenches element realty materially curtails future. Equally important, affects powers Washington's coastline government. readily bear patentees coastal apparent why, Washington elsewhere, tidelands; consistency logic shifting lakes inducement expansion lacking, inevitably bring ownership, attractive revenue. 77 "To sure, 'question government's property'. (But) failed 'the property' embraces effectively 3-5 1967, 15. 78 endangered Government's ability carry congressional toward Indians, longer able sea turned Indian beneficiaries. 5-6; 294 830 (CA9 1961), cert. denied, 817, 828, 783 problem merely "exemplary" 79 "restrains disposing measure connection program pursue sum, here, (86 369) 'no threat identifiable interest.' interests, casts "of title." 81 final word. Stare fine-sounding phrase. us, "unless hardly expect so." Mitchell W. T. Grant 416 600, 629, 634, 1895, 1910, 1913, 406 (1974) Accordingly, "(a) substantial justified light altered historic environment." 634-635, 1913. Such admonitions salient advanced justify interment 7-1 barely ago. am convinced relies adversary different. dissent. tried Circuit Benton County, Ore. Both appealed rendered Appeals. Subsequent judgment, come employed reasoning appeal. sought Oregon, discretionary modified Appeals' respect, discussion, "(i)n respects." Because procedural history shall, convenience, refer rulings findings "Oregon courts." language rule: '(The rule) line, thread slow processes erosion creeps intervening space old location. To rational exception. channel, excavating, passing filling place flowing never becomes meantime wrought during occasional increase year proportion eventually decrease through estates remains running .' Or.App. 524, 539-540, 469, 477 (1974). stating requested elaborately briefed amici, counsel questioned oral argument. Counsel agreed re-examination appropriate, left Tr. Oral Arg. 34. brief, relied 1953, Code KF62 1301. However, alter scope confirm declaration preexisting riverbeds, nothing mandates, used which, very terms Act, reside much 318, 522, references indicate law: "Since extend afforded base unnecessary navigational doctrine." 324-325, 525. compact entered contained '(A)ll remain highways, citizens tax, duty, impost, toll therefor, imposed state.' Congress' regulate similarly detract 229-230. Amici Utah (1967). They advance reasons Bonelli. cited below, expressly declined rely there, n. 11, address issue. aware sort construction dealt oceanfront thought sufficiently situation proprietorship: deals lap international sea. relationship, particular point marginal sea, too close vital Nation 'supreme Land.' fortified unsound author Brother Marshall, post, 382, sustain reached explicitly avoided "mystery" "puzzle" refers, 384, turns nonexistent; rejecting analysis, Roman Romans. dissent's abandonment ratio decidendi anything ringing endorsement insistence Brethren albeit expounded misapprehends significance term "common generic term, defined as: security persons usages customs immemorial antiquity, judgments decrees recognizing, affirming enforcing customs; sense, ancient unwritten England.' Telegraph Call Pub. 181 92, 102, 561, 564, 765 (1901) (citing Black's Dictionary). descriptive principal quotations (1836), passage Orleans, accepted British accretion. Illinois rested proper indication Illinois. treatment text, "rule" deduced Lovingston. 387-388. rejects based, refrains formally overruling below. 377 6. controlling controlled landowner. 3-4, 2, 1973; 2-3, petitioner took position. Brief Petitioners 31-34 reach eagerness approach, advocated General, rejected. 371-372, 378-381. Nevertheless, suggests ocean-front take seriously national relations justifies applying complete mean tide. (1935); §§ 1301(a)(2), 1311. 'lap sea.' 6, implications above Note, Rule Accretion Coastal Protection, S.Cal.L.Rev. 1457, 1472 (1975). cross-petitions outcome; concerned petition 76-567 "In typical channels, smaller channels erosive flooding 'suddenly' unusable, deprive channels?" 75-577, raised certiorari: "1. Does plaintiff, maintain statutory allegation pleaded proof fishery uses impaired interfered defendant Company? "2. removal sand gravel Company?" parties' faithfully mirrored perceptions argued "full complete" protecting rare Alternatively, classic receive contested responded challenging maintaining factfindings lower 76-577, Corvallis' fishery, affected. representing Neither addressed response questions, 14, 28, 33. "riparian" "riparian littoral" remainder Cited 375, 379-380. relicted subsidence reliction identical 15.26 1952). claims converse resists arguing gradual, require, sudden. sudden, avulsive, form coherent system. need applied. 371, 372, 377. 380. 374, 379. heavily power, 372-374, dismissed dictum 28. quotes 'leave State.' 379, context "shores" meant diminish denying recede grow. assertion (1874), description 380-381, 8, belied affirmation independence chooses aspect Shively. 342, (1906), 377, contain supports conclusions majority. involve Spain. doing added 122 524 (ED Mo.1903), aff'd, (1906); 830, 833 When papers presented, sometimes prepares motion. Free Bland, 1961, 205. notice raised.

Classification Label: 9