United States v. Idaho

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER

LODGE, District Judge.

I. Introduction

This case involves a dispute over the ownership of the bed and banks of Coeur d’Alene Lake and the St. Joe River (the “submerged lands”) lying within the exterior boundaries of the present-day Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation. The United States of America acting in its own capacity and as trustee for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Idaho (the “Tribe”) initiated the current action against the State of Idaho seeking to quiet title to the submerged lands for the benefit of the Tribe and its members. In addition to its title claim, the…