Koch v. United States

TACHA, Circuit Judge.

This appeal results from a dispute over the ownership of six land masses on the Colorado River. Plaintiffs claim ownership of the lands through patents granted by the United States; the United States contends that the “islands” remained public lands following the execution of the patents. The case originated in the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), which ultimately ruled in favor of the government. Plaintiffs then filed suit in federal court. The district court reversed the IBLA’s decision, granting summary judgment in plaintiffs’ favor. The government now appeals.…