Supreme Court of the United States

Alaska v. United States

June 6, 2005545 U.S. 75

Summary

The Court held that Alaska did not acquire title to the submerged lands underlying the Alexander Archipelago because the waters are neither historic inland waters nor juridical bays. The Court further held that title to the submerged lands within Glacier Bay National Monument remained with the United States at statehood. Justice Scalia concurred in part and dissented in part, arguing the statute does not expressly retain Glacier Bay title.