California, United States v
"California, United States v." refers to a significant Supreme Court case in which the federal government sued California to assert its authority over offshore areas extending three miles from the state's coastline. Prior to this case, California and other coastal states had been exercising control over these waters, primarily due to the discovery of substantial oil and gas reserves. The ruling, delivered by Justice Hugo L. Black on a 6-3 majority, confirmed that the federal government held dominion over the entire coastal waters, despite historical practices allowing states to manage a narrow offshore strip. The case underscored the constitutional powers granted to Congress regarding such matters. In response to the decision and the ensuing debates, Congress passed the Submerged Lands Act of 1953, which granted title of the offshore lands to coastal states, reflecting a compromise in the ongoing conflict over resource management. This landmark case illustrates the complex relationship between state and federal authority, especially concerning natural resources and environmental governance.
California, United States v.
Date: June 23, 1947
Citation: 332 U.S. 19
Issue: Tidelands oil controversy
Significance: The Supreme Court held that the federal government, not the states, had full dominion and mineral rights over the three-mile strip of submerged coastal lands.
The United States sued California in order to establish federal sovereignty over the offshore area three miles seaward from the low-water mark. Until then, the states had exercised de facto control over the area. The question was important because of huge oil and gas reserves that were being discovered. Speaking for a 6-3 majority, Justice Hugo L. Black found that the federal government had always possessed dominion over the entire coastal waters, even if it had allowed the states to control a three-mile strip. Black noted that the U.S. Constitution authorized Congress to decide the issue. Following an angry debate, Congress enacted the Submerged Lands Act of 1953, which gave title of the offshore lands to the coastal states.
