Supreme Court of the United States
Alaska v. United States
June 6, 2005545 U.S. 75
Summary
The Court overruled Alaska’s exceptions to the Special Master’s recommendations, concluding it does not possess title to submerged lands within the Alexander Archipelago or Glacier Bay National Monument. It reasoned the archipelago waters were neither historic inland waters nor juridical bays and that Congress retained title to Glacier Bay submerged lands under § 6(e) of the Alaska Statehood Act. Justice Scalia concurred in part and dissented in part, arguing § 6(e) does not independently reserve Glacier Bay submerged lands.