The United States' and Louisiana's exceptions to the Special
Master's Report overruled, his recommendations accepted, and the
parties directed to prepare and file a decree for entry by this
Court, establishing a baseline along Louisiana's entire coast from
which the territorial water under its jurisdiction pursuant to the
Submerged Lands Act can be measured. If the parties cannot agree
upon the decree's form, they shall refer to the Special Master any
remaining disputes for appropriate proceedings and further
recommendations.
DECREE.
Upon consideration of the Report filed July 31, 1974, by Walter
P. Armstrong, Jr., Special Master, of the exceptions filed thereto
by the United States and by the State of Louisiana, and after oral
argument thereon, IT IS NOW ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. The exceptions filed by the United States to the Report and
recommendations of the Special Master are overruled.
Page 420 U. S. 530
2. The exceptions filed by the State of Louisiana to the Report
and recommendations of the Special Master are overruled.
3. The recommendations contained in the Report of the Special
Master are accepted.
4. The parties are directed to prepare and file a decree, for
entry by this Court, establishing
"a baseline along the entire coast of the State of Louisiana
from which the extent of the territorial waters under the
jurisdiction of the State of Louisiana pursuant to the Submerged
Lands Act can be measured."
Report of the Special Master 53. If the parties cannot agree
upon the form of the decree, then they shall refer any remaining
disputes to the Special Master for his recommendations. In the
event of such a referral, the Special Master is authorized to hold
such hearings, take such evidence, and conduct such proceedings as
he may deem appropriate and, in due course, to report his
recommendations to this Court.
It is so ordered.
MR. JUSTICE DOUGLAS and MR. JUSTICE MARSHALL took no part in the
consideration or decision of this case.