Supreme Court to Decide Case Based on Lewis and Clark Diaries from 1805

[The Straight Story]

Supreme Court to Decide Case Based on Lewis and Clark Diaries from 1805

Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court will be asked for an upcoming case to interpret the geographic descriptions logged by Lewis and Clark in their diaries from the early 19th century.

The matter of what Meriwether Lewis and William Clark saw on their expedition rose because of a legal battle between the state of Montana and a utility company over control of three rivers. The case, however, holds broader implications for the entire West.

State governments have long enjoyed ownership of rivers that were deemed navigable at the time of statehood. Montana shares this position, and has demanded $53 million in rent from power supplier PPL Montana, which operates hydroelectric dams on the rivers in question.

PPL argues that the state only has ownership of river segments that are navigable, leaving those portions where there are falls or other impediments (and where PPL is operating) in control of private entities. If the court sides with PPL, it won’t owe millions in back rent to Montana. Also, a victory for PPL could open up other states to lawsuits by utilities operating on rivers, which is why 26 governments are supporting Montana in the case.

http://www.allgov.com/Unusual_News/ViewNews/Supreme_Court_to_Decide_Case_Based_on_Lewis_and_Clark_Diaries_from_1805_111129

[AngryAmish]

1. Looking for Lewis and Clark

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0saf-DKQoM8>

[liberalhistorian]

2. Once again, Will Durant is proved correct:

"The past is not dead. Indeed, it is often not even past."

Living in a western state, this is probably of more interest to me and other westerners than those in other areas. I live in a state where everything seems to be named "Lewis and Clark this", "Lewis and Clark that." It's interesting, because some areas really haven't changed much at all from when the Dynamic Duo and Company first saw them.

[Major Hogwash]

3. Well, if that don't beat all!!

Some young yapper in the gungeon was going off a year or so ago about them thar diaries, and I had to go look them up to prove that young'un a thing or two.
But, I shore as hell didn't see this a'coming. I didn't know them thar diaries would be brought up twict at the DU in a year's span of time.

[xchrom]

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