United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

United States v. Maine, 423 U.S. 1 (1975)

United States v. Maine

No. 35, Orig.

Decided March 17, 1975

Decree entered October 6, 1975

423 U.S. 1

ON JOINT MOTION FOR ENTRY OF A DECREE

Joint motion for the entry of a decree is granted, and a decree is entered.

Opinion reported: 420 U. S. 515

DECREE

The joint motion for entry of a decree is granted.

For the purpose of giving effect to the decision and opinion of this Court announced in this case on March 17, 1975, 420 U. S. 420 U.S. 515, it is ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. As against the defendant States of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, the United States is entitled to all the lands, minerals, and other natural resources underlying the Atlantic Ocean more than three geographic miles seaward from the coastlines of those States and extending seaward to the edge of the Continental Shelf. None of the defendant States is entitled to

Page 423 U. S. 2

any interest in such lands, minerals, and resources. As used in this decree, the term "coastline" means the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters.

2. As against the United States, each defendant State is entitled to all the lands, minerals, and other natural resources underlying the Atlantic Ocean extending seaward from its coastline for a distance of three geographic miles, and the United States is not entitled, as against any of the defendant States, to any interest in such lands, minerals, or resources, with the exceptions provided by § 5 of the Submerged Lands Act of 153, 67 Stat. 32, 43 U.S.C. § 1313.

3. Jurisdiction is reserved by this Court to entertain such further proceedings, including proceedings to determine the coastline of any defendant State, to enter such orders, and to issue such writs as may from time to time be deemed necessary or advisable to give proper force and effect to this decree. The United States or any defendant State may invoke the jurisdiction so reserved by filing a motion in this Court for supplemental proceedings.