United States v. 1,216.83 Acres of Land, More or Less, in Klickitat County, State of Washington and Russell R. Kreps
Opinion
Opinion
In August 1971, the United States brought suit to condemn certain lands for a migratory bird refuge. The owners of one of the targeted parcels answered the complaint, challenging the existence of the required state consent to the federal acquisition.
The Migratory Bird Conservation Act requires two separate elements of state consent before the United States may acquire property within a particular state. Swan Lake Hunting Club v. United States, 381 F.2d 238, 242-43 (5th Cir. 1967). First, the state must have consented by law to the acquisition of lands for bird refuges within the state. See 16 U.S.C. § 715f. Such general consent is present. See § 37.08.230 of the Revised Codes of Washington (RCW). The second element of consent is embodied in the requirement that the Governor or appropriate state agency approve the acquisition. Such was done by the Washington State Game Commission in 1964. RCW 77.12.320 specifically grants that power to the Commission.
On the strength of Swan Lake, supra, and on this Court’s position in United States v. Kennedy, 278 F.2d 121 (9th Cir. 1960), the United States has the power of eminent domain.
Reversed.