Opinion summary
Etalia.ai summary of the majority opinion
The case involved a dispute between the state of North Dakota and federal officials regarding land management rights. The Board of University and School Lands in North Dakota claimed entitlement to certain lands under the Swampland Act, which granted states title to swamplands within their borders for purposes like education funding. However, these lands were also subject to federal jurisdiction due to national forest designations by the U.S. Forest Service. The Supreme Court had to determine whether North Dakota's claim could override federal control based on historical agreements and legislative acts concerning land grants at statehood versus subsequent conservation efforts by Congress.
Opinion written by Justice White
Decided 2 May 1983 · Official report