Legal Document

444 U.S. 335 100 Supreme Court Reporter 588 62 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 530 State of OHIO, Plaintiff,v.Commonwealth KENTUCKY. Number 27, Orig. Argued Dec. 3, 1979. Decided Jan. 21, 1980. Rehearing Denied March 17, See 445 939, 1307. Syllabus Held: The boundary between Ohio and Kentucky is the low-water mark on northerly side River as it existed in 1792 when was admitted to Union, not current river. Historical factors establish that just a river, but edge. Thus, accepted rules accretion avulsion attendant upon wandering river are applicable customary situations involving boundaries States, do apply here. Indiana versus Kentucky, 136 479, 10 1051, 34 L.Ed. 329, controls this case. Pp. 337-341. Exceptions Special Master's report overruled, adopted, case remanded. James M. Ringo, Asst. Atty. Gen., Lexington, Ky., for defendant Ky. Michael R. Szolosi, Columbus, Ohio, plaintiff Ohio. Mr. Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion Court. 1 1966, instituted action, under Court's original jurisdiction, against Commonwealth Kentucky. By its bill complaint initially filed, asked declare line two "the low water year 1792." Leave file granted. 384 982, 86 1883, 16 1002 (1966). In due course, filed answer Master appointed. 385 803, 87 29, 17 49 answer, alleged River. 2 later moved leave an amended would assert, primarily, middle River, and, only alternatively, shore. That motion referred Master. 404 933, 92 266, 30 246 (1971). held hearing course his recommending Ohio's petition amend be denied. 406 915, 1762, 32 114 (1972). Upon filing exceptions Kentucky's reply, matter set hearing. 409 974, 93 303, 238 After argument, recommendation denied, 410 641, 1178, 35 560 (1973). 3 Honorable Robert Van Pelt, who by then had been appointed following resignation predecessor, thereafter shaped pleadings. received ordered filed. 439 1123, 99 1037, 59 85 (1979). lodged report, reply. Oral argument followed. 4 recommends determine "is 1792"; exists today"; such boundary, "as nearly can now ascertained, determined either a) agreement parties, if reasonably possible, or b) joint survey agreed parties," or, absence survey, after hearings conducted submission him proposed findings conclusions. Report 16. 5 We agree with Much history concerning Virginia's cession lands "northwest Ohio" reviewed forth 1966 complaint. U.S., at 645-648, S.Ct., 1181-1182. denial motion, left posture river's mark. litigation, thus, presently centers where is—is ch. IV, Statutes-at-Large 189, still more damming consequent rise waters? 6 It should clear indeed, Indiana, usual States. like Missouri Iowa Nebraska, see, e. g., Nebraska Iowa, 143 359, 12 396, 36 186 (1892), Mississippi Arkansas Mississippi. Arkansas, 415 289, 94 1046, 39 333 (1974), 302, 1052, 342 (1974). also Illinois, 147 1, 13 239, 37 55 (1893); 196 23, 25 155, 372 (1904); Minnesota Wisconsin, 252 273, 40 313, 64 558 (1920); New Jersey Delaware, 291 361, 54 407, 78 847 (1934); Tennessee, 310 563, 60 1026, 84 1362 (1940). these well-recognized have full application. 7 A situation, however, depending historical factors, may well differ from situation. See, example, Texas Louisiana, 702, 1215, 646 (1973), concerned Sabine Lake, Pass. And Kentucky-Ohio Kentucky-Indiana indeed different. Here edge, originally Virginia entitled expanse. This consistently borne out by, among other documents, 1781 Resolution General Assembly ("the northwest Ohio"), W. Hening, Laws 564 (1822); Act 1783 territory . north-west 11 326, 327 (1823); deed Ohio") Continental Congress 1784, 472, 474 (B. & D. ed. 1815). acknowledged through Chief Marshall's familiar pronouncement respect Handly's Lessee Anthony, Wheat. 374, 379, 113 (1820): 8 "When great nations states, property neither, there no convention respecting it, each holds stream. But when, case, one proprietor, grants only, retains within own domain, newly-created extends only. boundary." 9 dissent concedes much. Post, 342. then, persuaded whatever northern shore." 343. far too late day equate Missouri, Mississippi, any does antecedents possessed fix itself, bank. Lessee, our view, supports position, dissent's. If could doubt about this, surely dispelled completely decided 329 (1890). There Field, speaking unanimous Court, said: "[Kentucky] succeeded ancient right possession Virginia, they affected subsequent change fact channel which once ran filled up, variety causes, natural artificial, so parties pass dry land tract controversy Indiana. Its might depart opposite entire counties principle her jurisdiction precisely must control Wall. 395, 401. Her dominion continue time she into unaffected action forces nature * "Our conclusion is, waters became State, flowed north known 'Green Island', extended, ever since has what channel; run line, filled." Id., 508, 518-519, 1053, 1057. portion Indiana-Kentucky segment, rather than Ohio-Kentucky possible legal consequence; principles same, holding pertinent application controlling precedent flat pronouncements rationalized away readily dissent, post, 343-519, them cast aside. present contentions, those were rejected 90 years ago. 14 disturbed matters today will turn Locating difficult, utilization current, changing, convenient. knowledgeable surveyors, intimates, ability perform task. Like difficulties dissuaded concluding locations specified many decades ago proper definitive boundaries. Utah 420 304, 95 1153, 43 211 (1975), 427 461, 96 3187, 625 (1976); Hampshire Maine, 426 363, 2113, 48 701 (1976), 434 98 42, (1977). dissent's concern possibility, extremely remote, comparatively stable "pass borders," 343, little weight. Situations comes "wrong" uncommon. Wilson Omaha Indian Tribe, 442 653, 2529, 61 153 (1979); Owen Equipment Erection company Kroger, 437 365, 369, n.5, 2396, 2400, 57 274 (1978); (1904). 15 Finally, interest sources themselves, recent years, made reference boundary. Informational Bulletin (1972), issued Legislative Research Commission Assembly, states: "Kentucky's North West to-wit, shore 1792, recognized based created Virginia." 3. Attorney OAG 63-847, contained Opinions 1960-1964. Perks McCracken, 169 590, 184 Southwestern KF135 S79 891 (1916), court stated question "where State." 18 overruled. hereby remanded cooperation he prepare submit appropriate form decree. 19 POWELL, whom WHITE REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 20 Union 1792. curious result frustrates terms Cession 1784 first established border, ignores construction grant (1820), contrary common-law riparian boundaries, creates largely unidentifiable border. Accordingly, N Immigration Nationality Decisions dissent. 21 ceded all "to Ohio." As recently observed, border " 'depends chiefly law States.' 645, 1181, quoting supra, Wheat., 376. construed definitively dispute over connected low, separated high. required remain northwestern Consequently, issue belonged 22 Marshall, writing pointed both Under Cession, stated: "These [Ohio] wherever be, their 379 (emphasis supplied). found support Cession: 23 "[W]hen, [Virginia] [Indiana] Ibid. 24 Such emphasized, cannot stationary time. He wrote: "Any gradual land, belong 380. rule avoids "inconvenience" having strip belonging another "Wherever main, permanent constitutes boundary; mind find itself embarrassed insurmountable difficulty attempting draw mark." 380-381. 26 Because same events drew case.1 domain way ensure recognize 27 approach taken defeats express explicit language Marshall Lessee.2 forever remains regardless movements time, produce bizarre results. erosion shift mark, today's ruling place entirely thus borders despite "[R]iver [is the] 379. nor successor "retai[n] domain" declared must. Similarly, move south denied Sensible people intended results, violate plain mock congressional resolution accepting "bounded South [R]iver." Ch. XL, 173. II 28 Master, disregards teaching Lessee. Instead, relies heavily decision (1890), Field wrote State's "dominion [1792], river." 1053; ante, 330. argues, some force, 1890 because abandonment sort avulsive ordinarily alter sign length Moreover, went acquiesced prescription issue. showing before us claim establishes n. infra. Absent showing, believe applied 29 event, force Field's questioned face. reconciled normal practical 1784. Indeed, essentially devoid reasoning. reproducing passages retain states abruptly that, nevertheless, "when 1053. apparently unaware effect, overruling purported rely. His simply startling view "succeeded Virginia" new "could River." offers further explanation holding. Of did succeed rights part Northwest Territory entry not, without more, replace immutable Field. Neither litigation suggestion result. III 31 Today's contravenes common Tennessee along noted: "[W]here running streams applies private proprietors, namely, bed changed processes accretion, follows varying stream." 158, 173, 38 301, 638 (1918). 33 Bonelli Cattle Arizona, 414 517, 526 intensely basis, exceedingly difficult Physical evidence path almost certain wash documentary survive reliable. suggests previous decisions 'the bank." Ante, 338. contention contradicts statement, quoted "[t]he boundary.' addition, explain why inapplicable center Since lines sensible adopt defined them.3 IV Following decision, location 200 cumbersome uncertain outcome justified dictated unambiguous Cession. unworkable violence today. Both controlled considerations define author seem particularly reliable interpreter practicing lawyer Richmond served member approved Atlantic Beveridge, Life John 202-241 (1919). seeks statement Committee 1963 General. 340. Although documents refer hardly authoritative outcome. legislative judicial statements mention line. 248 (interstate Compact defining "low-water river"); Henderson County, 371 Western Reporter, 2nd (Ky.App.1963) (Kentucky's "north watermark River"); Louisville Sand Gravel Ralston, 266 119, 121 (Ky.App.1954) (" 'our state bank mark,' Willis Boyd, 224 732, 735, 216, 218 (1928)). doctrine acquiescence, proved party actions claimed party. Michigan 270 295, 308, 46 290, 294, 70 595 (1926). question, fact. request issue, properly now. decide basis particular shards come attention. conflicting correct return question.

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