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Opinion reported: 373 U.S. 546 ; decree reported: 376 U.S. 340 ; amended decree reported: 383 U.S. 268 .
Ralph E. Hunsaker argued the cause for complainant.
Douglas B. Noble, Deputy Attorney General of California, argued the cause for defendant State of California et al. Robert P. Will argued the cause for defendant Metropolitan Water District of Southern California et al.
With Messrs. Hunsaker, Noble, and Will on the responses of the State of Arizona et al. to both motions to intervene were Evelle J. Younger, Attorney General of California, Sanford N. Gruskin, Chief Assistant Attorney General, R. H. Connett and N. Gregory Taylor, Assistant Attorneys General, Edwin J. Dubiel, Emil Stipanovich, Jr., and Anita E. Ruud, Deputy Attorneys General, Roy H. Mann, Maurice C. Sherrill, R. L. Knox, Jr., Burt Pines, Gilbert W. Lee, John W. Witt, C. M. Fitzpatrick, Joseph Kase, Jr., Robert List, Attorney General of Nevada, Lyle Rivera, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Brian McKay, Deputy Attorney General, and Thomas G. Nelson.
With Mr. Noble on the response of the State of California et al. to the motion to intervene of the Colorado River Indian Tribes et al. were Messrs. Younger, Gruskin, Connett, Taylor, [439 U.S. 419, 420] Dubiel, Stipanovich, Ms. Ruud, Messrs. Sherrill, Knox, List, Rivera, McKay, and Nelson.
With Mr. Will on the response of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California et al. to the motion to intervene of the Colorado River Indian Tribes et al. were Messrs. Pines, Lee, Witt, Fitzpatrick, and Kase.
Raymond C. Simpson argued the cause and filed briefs for the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe et al.
Lawrence D. Aschenbrenner argued the cause for the Cocopah Indian Tribe.
Terry Noble Fiske argued the cause for the Colorado River Indian Tribes.
Louis F. Claiborne argued the cause for the United States. On the memorandums for the United States were Solicitor General McCree, Assistant Attorney General Moorman, and Myles E. Flint. *
[ Footnote * ] Donald D. Stark filed a brief as amicus curiae.
PER CURIAM AND SUPPLEMENTAL DECREE.
The United States of America, Intervenor, State of Arizona, Complainant, the California Defendants (State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Imperial Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, City of San Diego, County of San Diego), and State of Nevada, Intervenor, pursuant to Art. VI of the Decree entered in the case on March 9, 1964, at 376 U.S. 340 , and amended on February 28, 1966, at 383 U.S. 268 , have agreed to the present perfected rights to the use of mainstream water in each State and their priority dates as set forth herein. Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that the joint motion of the United States, the State of Arizona, the California Defendants, and the State of Nevada to enter a supplemental decree is granted and that said present [439 U.S. 419, 421] perfected rights in each State and their priority dates are determined to be as set forth below, subject to the following:
(5) The Yuma Auxiliary Project, Unit B in annual quantities not to exceed (i) 6,800 acre-feet of diversions from the mainstream or (ii) the quantity of mainstream water necessary to supply the consumptive use required for irrigation of 1,225 acres and for the satisfaction of related uses, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less, with a priority date of July 8, 1905.
(6) The North Gila Valley Unit, Yuma Mesa Division, Gila Project in annual quantities not to exceed (i) 24,500 acre-feet of diversions from the mainstream or (ii) the quantity of mainstream water necessary to supply the consumptive use required for irrigation of 4,030 acres and for the satisfaction of related uses, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less, with a priority date of July 8, 1905.
11) 45 acres within the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4, the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 and the SE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Sec. 11, T.18N., R.22W., G&SRBM. 80 acres within the N 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Sec. 11, T.18N., R.22W., G&SRBM. 1,050 1902 10 acres within the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Sec. 15, T.18N., R.22W., G&SRBM. 40 acres within the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Sec. 15, T.18N., R.22W., G&SRBM. (Hurschler) 2
12) 40 acres within Sec. 13, T.17N., R.22W., 240 1902 G&SRBM. (Miller) 2
13) 120 acres within Sec. 27, T.18N., R.21W., G&SRBM. 15 acres within the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4, Sec. 810 1902 23, T.18N., R.22W., G&SRBM. (McKellips and Granite Reef Farms) 4
14) 180 acres within the NW 1/4 of the NE 1/4, the 1,080 1902 SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4, the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4, the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4, the NE 1/4 of the SE 1/4, and the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4, and the SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4, Sec. 31, T.18N., R.21W., G&SRBM. (Sherrill & Lafollette) 4 [439 U.S. 419, 426]
Beginning at a point 995.1 feet easterly of the NW corner of the NE 1/4 of Sec. 10, T.8S., R.22W., Gila and Salt River Base and Meridian; on the northerly boundary of the said NE 1/4, which is the true point of beginning, then in a southerly direction to a point on the southerly boundary of the said NE 1/4 which is 991.2 feet E. of the SW corner of said NE 1/4 thence easterly along the S. line of the NE 1/4, a distance of 807.3 feet to a point, thence N. 0ø7' W., 768.8 feet to a point, thence E. 124.0 feet to a point, thence northerly 0ø14' W., 1,067.6 feet to a point, thence E. 130 feet to a point, thence northerly 0ø20' W., 405.2 feet to a point, thence northerly 63ø10' W., 506.0 feet to a point, thence northerly 90ø15' W., 562.9 feet to a point on the northerly boundary of the said NE 1/4, thence easterly along the said northerly boundary of the said NE 1/4, 116.6 feet to the true point of the beginning containing 53.89 acres. All as more particularly described and set forth in that survey executed by Thomas A. Yowell, Land Surveyor on June 24, 1969. (Molina) 4
16) 60 acres within the NW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 and the north half of the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Sec. 14, T.8S., R.22W., G&SRBM. 780 1925 70 acres within the S 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4, and the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4, Sec. 14, T.8S., R.22W., G&SRBM. (Sturges) 4
17) 120 acres within the N 1/2 NE 1/4, NE 1/4 NW 1/4, 720 1912 Section 23, T.18N., R.22W., G&SRBM. (Zozaya) 4 [439 U.S. 419, 427]
19) 7 acres in the East 300 feet of the W 1/2 of Lot 1 42 1900 (Lot 1, being the SE 1/4 SE 1/4, 40 acres more or less), Section 28, Township 16 South, Range 22 East, San Bernardino Meridian, lying North of U.S. Bureau of Reclamation levee right of way. EXCEPT that portion conveyed to the United States of America by instrument recorded in Docket 417, page 150 EXCEPTING any portion of the East 300 feet of W 1/2 of Lot 1 within the natural bed of the Colorado River below the line of ordinary high water and also EXCEPTING any artificial accretions waterward of said line of ordinary high water, all of which comprises approximately seven (7) acres. (Milton and Jean Phillips) 4
2. The following miscellaneous present perfected rights in Arizona in annual quantities of water not to exceed the listed number of acre-feet of (i) diversions from the mainstream or (ii) the quantity of mainstream water necessary to supply the consumptive use, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less, for domestic, municipal, and industrial purposes within the boundaries of the land described and with the priority dates listed:
The federal establishments named in Art. II, subdivision (D), paragraphs (1), (3), (4), and (5) of the Decree entered March 9, 1964, in this case such rights having been decreed by Art. II:
24) Colorado River Indian Reservation 10,745 1,612 Nov. 22, 1873 40,241 6,037 Nov. 16, 1874 3,760 564 May 15, 1876
25) Fort Mojave Indian Reservation 13,698 2,119 Sept. 18, 1890
B. Water Districts' and Projects' Present Perfected Rights
26) The Palo Verde Irrigation District in annual quantities not to exceed (i) 219,780 acre-feet of diversions from the [439 U.S. 419, 429] mainstream or (ii) the quantity of mainstream water necessary to supply the consumptive use required for irrigation of 33,604 acres and for the satisfaction of related uses, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less, with a priority date of 1877.
31) 20 acres within Lots 1 and 2, Sec. 19, T.13S., 120 1893 R.23E., and Lots 2, 3, and 4 of Sec. 24, T.13S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Mendivil) 6
32) 30 acres within NW 1/4 of SE 1/4, S 1/2 of SE 1/4, 180 1928 Sec. 24, and NW 1/4 of NE 1/4, Sec. 25, all in T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Grannis) 6
33) 25 acres within Lot 6, Sec. 5; and Lots 1 and 2, 150 1913 SW 1/4 of NE 1/4, and NE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of Sec. 8, and Lots 1 & 2 of Sec. 9, all in T.13S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Morgan) 6
34) 18 acres within E 1/2 of NW 1/4 and W 1/2 of 108 1918 NE 1/4 of Sec. 14, T.10S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Milpitas) 6
35) 10 acres within N 1/2 of NE 1/4, SE 1/4 of NE 1/4, 60 1889 and NE 1/4 of SE 1/4, Sec. 30, T.9N., R.23E., S.B.B. & M. (Simons) 6
36) 16 acres within E 1/2 of NW 1/4 and N 1/2 of 96 1921 SW 1/4, Sec. 12, T.9N., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Colo. R. Sportsmen's League) 6
37) 11.5 acres within E 1/2 of NW 1/4, Sec. 1, T.10S., 69 1914 R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Milpitas) 6
38) 11 acres within S 1/2 of SW 1/4, Sec. 12, T.9N., 66 1921 R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Andrade) 6
39) 6 acres within Lots 2, 3, and 7 and NE 1/4 of 36 1904 SW 1/4, Sec. 19, T.9N., R.23E., S.B.B. & M. (Reynolds) 6 [439 U.S. 419, 431]
41) 20 acres within SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 (Lot 8), Sec. 19, 120 1925 T.9N., R.23E., S.B.B. & M. (Chagnon) 7
42) 20 acres within NE 1/4 of SW 1/4, N 1/2 of SE 1/4, 120 1915 SE 1/4 of SE 1/4, Sec. 14, T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Lawrence) 7
2. The following miscellaneous present perfected rights in California in annual quantities of water not to exceed the listed number of acre-feet of (i) diversions from the mainstream or (ii) the quantity of mainstream water necessary to supply the consumptive use, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less, for domestic, municipal, and industrial purposes within the boundaries of the land described and with the priority dates listed:
44) Portions of: Secs. 5, 6, 7 & 8, T.7N., 1,260 273 1896 R.24E.; Sec. 1, T.7N., R.23E.; Secs. 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 22, 23, 25, 26, 35, & 36, T.8N., R.23E.; Secs. 19, 29, 30, 32 & 33, T.9N., R.23E., S.B.B. & M. (Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Co.) 6
45) Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & SW 1/4 NW 1/4 of 1.0 0.6 1921 Sec. 5, T.13S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Conger) 7 [439 U.S. 419, 432]
47) Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and SE 1/4 SW 1/4 of Sec. 1.0 0.6 1919 20, T.11S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (McDonough) 7
48) SW 1/4 of Sec. 25, T.8S., R.22E., S.B.B. 1.0 0.6 1925 & M. (Faubion) 7
49) W 1/2 NW 1/4 of Sec. 12, T.9N., R.22E., 1.0 0.6 1922 S.B.B. & M. (Dudley) 7
50) N 1/2 SE 1/4 and Lots 1 and 2 of Sec. 13, 1.0 0.6 1916 T.8S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Douglas) 7
51) N 1/2 SW 1/4, NW 1/4 SE 1/4, Lots 6 and 7, 1.0 0.6 1924 Sec. 5, T.9S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Beauchamp) 7
52) NE 1/4 SE 1/4, SE 1/4 NE 1/4, and Lot 1, 1.0 0.6 1916 Sec. 26, T.8S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Clark) 7
53) N 1/2 SW 1/4, NW 1/4 SE 1/4, SW 1/4 NE 1/4, 1.0 0.6 1915 Sec. 13, T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Lawrence) 7
54) N 1/2 NE 1/4, E 1/2 NW 1/4, Sec. 13, T.9S., 1.0 0.6 1914 R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (J. Graham) 7
55) SE 1/4, Sec. 1, T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. 1.0 0.6 1910 (Geiger) 7 [439 U.S. 419, 433]
57) Lot 1, Sec. 15; Lots 1 & 2, Sec. 14; 1.0 0.6 1895 Lots 1 & 2, Sec. 23; all in T.13S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Martinez) 7
58) NE 1/4, Sec. 22, T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & 1.0 0.6 1925 M. (Earle) 7
59) NE 1/4 SE 1/4, Sec. 22, T.9S., R.21E., 1.0 0.6 1928 S.B.B. & M. (Diehl) 7
60) N 1/2 NW 1/4, N 1/2 NE 1/4, Sec. 23, T.9S., 1.0 0.6 1912 R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Reid) 7
61) W 1/2 SW 1/4, Sec. 23, T.9S., R.21E., 1.0 0.6 1916 S.B.B. & M. (Graham) 7
62) S 1/2 NW 1/4, NE 1/4 SW 1/4, SW 1/4 NE 1/4, 1.0 0.6 1919 Sec. 23, T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Cate) 7
63) SE 1/4 NE 1/4, N 1/2 SE 1/4, SE 1/4 SE 1/4, 1.0 0.6 1924 Sec. 23, T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (McGee) 7
64) SW 1/4 SE 1/4, SE 1/4 SW 1/4, Sec. 23, NE 1/4 1.0 0.6 1924 NW 1/4, NW 1/4 NE 1/4, Sec. 26; all in T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Stallard) 7
65) W 1/2 SE 1/4, SE 1/4 SE 1/4, Sec. 26, T.9S., 1.0 0.6 1926 R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Randolph) 7 [439 U.S. 419, 434]
67) S 1/2 SW 1/4, Sec. 13, N 1/2 NW 1/4, Sec. 1.0 0.6 1926 24; all in T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Keefe) 7
68) SE 1/4 NW 1/4, NW 1/4 SE 1/4, Lots 2, 3 & 1.0 0.6 1903 4, Sec. 25, T.13S., R.23E., S.B.B. & M. (C. Ferguson) 7
69) Lots 4 & 7, Sec. 6; Lots 1 & 2, Sec. 7; 1.0 0.6 1903 all in T.14S., R.24E., S.B.B. & M. (W. Ferguson) 7
70) SW 1/4 SE 1/4, Lots 2, 3, and 4, Sec. 24, 1.0 0.6 1920 T.12S., R.21E., Lot 2, Sec. 19, T.12S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Vaulin) 7
71) Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, Sec. 25, T.12S., 1.0 0.6 1920 R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Salisbury) 7
72) Lots 2, 3, SE 1/4 SE 1/4, Sec. 15, NE 1/4 1.0 0.6 1924 NE 1/4, Sec. 22; all in T.13S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Hadlock) 7
73) SW 1/4 NE 1/4, SE 1/4 NW 1/4, and Lots 7 1.0 0.6 1903 & 8, Sec. 6, T.9S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Streeter) 7
74) Lot 4, Sec. 5; Lots 1 & 2, Sec. 7; Lots 1.0 0.6 1903 1 & 2, Sec. 8; Lot 1, Sec. 18; all in T.12S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (J. Draper) 7 [439 U.S. 419, 435]
76) NW 1/4 NE 1/4, Sec. 26; Lots 2 & 3, 1.0 0.6 1909 W 1/2 SE 1/4, Sec. 23; all in T.8S., R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Williams) 7
77) Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, Sec. 25, T.8S., 1.0 0.6 1928 R.22E., S.B.B. & M. (Estrada) 7
78) S 1/2 NW 1/4, Lot 1, frac. NE 1/4 SW 1/4, 1.0 0.6 1925 Sec. 25, T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Whittle) 7
79) N 1/2 NW 1/4, Sec. 25; S 1/2 SW 1/4, Sec. 1.0 0.6 1928 24; all in T.9S., R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Corington) 7
80) S 1/2 NW 1/4, N 1/2 SW 1/4, Sec. 24, T.9S., 1.0 0.6 1928 R.21E., S.B.B. & M. (Tolliver) 7
A. Federal Establishments' Present Perfected Rights
The federal establishments named in Art. II, subdivision (D), paragraphs (5) and (6) of the Decree entered on [439 U.S. 419, 436] March 9, 1964, in this case, such rights having been decreed by Art. II:
82) Lake Mead National Recreation 500 300 9 May 3, 1929 10 Area (The Overton Area of Lake Mead N.R.A. provided in Executive Order 5105)
It is ordered that Judge Elbert P. Tuttle be appointed Special Master in this case with authority to fix the time and conditions for the filing of additional pleadings and to direct subsequent proceedings, and with authority to summon witnesses, issue subpoenas, and take such evidence as may be introduced and such as he may deem necessary to call for. The Master is directed to submit such reports as he may deem appropriate.
The Master shall be allowed his actual expenses. The allowances to him, the compensation paid to his technical, stenographic, and clerical assistants, the cost of printing his report, and all other proper expenses shall be charged against and borne by the parties in such proportion as the Court may hereafter direct.
It is further ordered that if the position of Special Master in this case becomes vacant during a recess of the Court, THE [439 U.S. 419, 437] CHIEF JUSTICE shall have authority to make a new designation which shall have the same effect as if originally made by the Court.
It is further ordered that the motion of Fort Mojave Indian Tribe et al. for leave to intervene, insofar as it seeks intervention to oppose entry of the supplemental decree, is denied. In all other respects, this motion and the motion of Colorado River Indian Tribes et al. for leave to intervene are referred to the Special Master.
MR. JUSTICE MARSHALL took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.
[ Footnote 2 ] The names in parentheses following the description of the "Defined Area of Land" are used for identification of present perfected rights only; the name used is the first name appearing as the Claimants identified with a parcel in Arizona's 1967 list submitted to this Court.
[ Footnote 3 ] Included as a part of the Powers' claim in Arizona's 1967 list submitted to this Court. Subsequently, the United States and Powers agreed to a Stipulation of Settlement on land ownership whereby title to this property was quieted in favor of the United States.
[ Footnote 4 ] The names in parentheses following the description of the "Defined Area of Land" are the names of claimants, added since the 1967 list, upon whose water use these present perfected rights are predicated.
[ Footnote 5 ] The quantity of water in each instance is measured by (i) diversions or (ii) consumptive use required for irrigation of the respective acreage and for satisfaction of related uses, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less.
[ Footnote 6 ] The names in parentheses following the description of the "Defined Area of Land" are used for identification of present perfected rights only; the name used is the first name appearing as the claimant identified with a parcel in California's 1967 list submitted to this Court.
[ Footnote 7 ] The names in parentheses following the description of the "Defined Area of Land" are the names of the homesteaders upon whose water use these present perfected rights, added since the 1967 list submitted to this Court, are predicated.
[ Footnote 8 ] The quantity of water in each instance is measured by (i) diversions or (ii) consumptive use required for irrigation of the respective acreage and for satisfaction of related uses, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less.
[ Footnote 9 ] Refers to acre-feet of annual consumptive use, not to net acres.
[ Footnote 10 ] Article II (D) (6) of said Decree specifies a priority date of March 3, 1929. Executive Order 5105 is dated May 3, 1929 (see C. F. R. 1964 Cumulative Pocket Supplement, p. 276, and the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law of the Special Master's Report in this case, pp. 294-295). [439 U.S. 419, 438]
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Citation: 439 U.S. 419
Docket No: No. 8 ORIG
Decided: June 03, 1963
Court: United States Supreme Court
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