State of Oklahoma v. State of Texas, United States, Intervener
Headline: Court confirms commissioners’ survey and establishes the Red River line as the official boundary between Texas and Oklahoma, orders maps sent to state leaders and the Interior Department, and divides costs equally.
Holding: The Court confirmed the commissioners’ fourth report, declared the marked line on the Red River to be the true boundary between Texas and Oklahoma, ordered maps sent to officials, and required costs be split equally.
- Establishes an official state boundary along the Red River.
- Requires maps be sent to Texas and Oklahoma leaders and Interior Department.
- Splits costs equally between Oklahoma, Texas, and the United States.
Summary
Background
Commissioners were appointed to run, locate, and mark parts of the boundary between the States of Texas and Oklahoma along the south bank of the Red River. They reported that they had run, located, and marked particular portions of the boundary between the eastern limit of Lamar County, Texas, and the eastern boundary of the State of Oklahoma. Their fourth report was presented to the Court on February 21, 1927, and no objection was made within the allowed time.
Reasoning
The Court reviewed the fourth report and the accompanying maps and confirmed that report in full. The Court declared the line shown in that report and on the maps to be the true boundary between Texas and Oklahoma at the places the report designates. The decision recognizes that the line can change later by the natural processes of erosion and accretion, as described in the Court’s earlier decree of March 12, 1923 (261 U.S. 340). The Court ordered the clerk to send authenticated copies of the decree, the fourth report, and the maps to the chief executives of both states and to the Secretary of the Interior. Because the commissioners completed the work required by the prior decree, they were discharged.
Real world impact
The ruling fixes an official, court-backed boundary line along the Red River where the commissioners marked it. State leaders and the Interior Department will receive the maps and reports for their records. The clerk will distribute copies of all four boundary reports and keep certified copies. Costs related to settling this section of the boundary are allocated equally to Oklahoma, Texas, and the United States.
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