Texas v. Louisiana, 36

• Decision Date: 14 June 1976
• Docket Number: O,No. 36,36
• Parties: State of TEXAS, Plaintiff, v. State of LOUISIANA. rig
• Court: U.S. Supreme Court

426 U.S. 465

96 S.Ct. 2155

48 L.Ed.2d 775

State of TEXAS, Plaintiff,

v State of LOUISIANA.

No. 36, Orig.

June 14, 1976.

PER CURIAM.

We have already decided that the relevant boundary between the States of Texas and Louisiana is the geo- graphic middle of Sabine Pass, Sabine Lake, and Sabine River from the mouth of the Sabine in the Gulf of Mexico to the thirty-second degree of north latitude. 410 U.S. 702, 93 S.Ct. 1215, 35 L.Ed.2d 646 (1973). We have also held that all islands in the east half of the Sabine River when Louisiana was admitted as a State in 1812, or thereafter formed, belong to Louisiana. Delimitation of the boundary and decision as to ownership of the islands in the west half of the Sabine were deferred pending further proceedings before the Special Master in which the United States was invited to participate. Id., at 712-714, 93 S.Ct., at 1220-1221.

The litigation subsequently was enlarged upon the motion of Louisiana to include a determination of the lateral seaward boundary between Texas and Louisiana, and Texas and the United States extending into the Gulf of Mexico. 414 U.S. 904, 94 S.Ct. 208, 38 L.Ed.2d 142 (1973).¹ Pleadings relating to the lateral boundary were filed by the States and by the United States. The United States also claimed title to six of the islands in the western half of the Sabine, 414 U.S. 1107, 94 S.Ct. 834, 38 L.Ed.2d 735 (1973); it subsequently amended its complaint, however, to withdraw its claim to all islands except one identified as "Sam." 416 U.S. 903, 94 S.Ct. 1605, 40 L.Ed.2d 107 (1974). The city of Port Arthur, Tex., was permitted to intervene for purposes of protecting its interests in the island claims of the United States. 416 U.S. 965, 94 S.Ct. 1986, 40 L.Ed.2d 555 (1974).

After hearings on referral, the Special Master has concluded and recommends:

"1) That the boundary between the States of Texas and Louisiana from 32o to 30o north latitude be established as shown upon Texas Exhibit AAA 1-12, pursuant to agreement of the parties.

"2) That the boundary line from 30o north latitude to the Gulf of Mexico and to the terminus of the jetties be established as being the median line marked on Louisiana Exhibits DDD and III and hereinabove described specifically, with the right to the States of Texas and Louisiana to alter such boundary within Sabine Lake by agreement within the time proposed.

"3) That the claim of the United States of America to an island named 'Sam' be denied.

"4) That the lateral boundary in the Gulf of Mexico between the States of Texas and Louisiana and between the State of Texas and the United States of America be established as the line shown on your Special Master's Exhibit and marked 'U. S.'

"5) That the cost be taxed to the parties in accordance with their contribution to the fund established by your Special Master and deposited in the First National Bank & Trust Company, Lincoln, Nebraska; that no costs be taxed for the services of your Special Master herein; that upon the order of termination of this case your Special Master file a report setting forth the amount of money received by him from the parties for the payment of costs and expenses pursuant to his requests and of the disbursement thereof for approval by the Court unless prior thereto the parties in writing have approved your Special Master's report as to the disbursement of said moneys."

Exceptions to the recommendations of the Special Master have been filed by Louisiana and Texas. 423 U.S. 909, 96 S.Ct. 211, 46 L.Ed.2d 138 (1975).

At approximately 30o north latitude, the Sabine River enters into Sabine Lake through three channels. Louisiana excepts to that portion of the Special Master's report which marks the boundary line between the States through the passage more recently known as "middle pass," instead of in the geographic middle of the "west pass." Louisiana contends that the Special Master acted contrary to our rejection of the thalweg doctrine earlier in this case, 410 U.S., at 709, 93 S.Ct., at 1219, by considering navigation as the criterion to locate the boundary, in the middle channel. We think it clear, however, that the Special Master makes reference to the volume of water flowing through these passes solely in an analytic context reflecting the history and geography of the region. We are persuaded that the Special Master made his determination consistent with our earlier holding.

Texas has filed exceptions to the Special Master's delimitation of the lateral seaward boundary in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas argues that the Special Master erred in concluding that Texas and Louisiana did not have a historic boundary in the Gulf; we think that misreads the findings of the Special Master. The Special Master does not reject Texas' contention that there was a historic "inchoate" boundary; what he concludes is that there has never been an Established offshore boundary between the States. We find the Special Master correct in his conclusion and conclude that he properly considered how such a boundary should be now constructed.

All parties agree that the lateral seaward boundary is to be constructed by reference to the median line, or equidistant principle, recognized in the 1958 Geneva Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone (1964) 15 U.S.T. (pt. 2) 1606, T.I.A.S. No 5639.² Texas, however, excepts to the Special Master's determination that the equidistant principle is to be applied to the coastlines of the States as affected by jetties at the mouth of the Sabine River.³ Texas urges that the relevant coastline is the coastline that...