Park rules on Alaska lands
Sturgeon v. Frost
In brief
The Supreme Court wiped out the Ninth Circuit’s ruling and sent Sturgeon’s case back because it said the appeals court misread ANILCA.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 8-0 · March 22, 2016 · Opinion by Chief Justice Roberts
- What it’s about
- John Sturgeon challenged the National Park Service’s authority under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to regulate nonfederal land within Alaska park boundaries.
- Who it affects
- The Ninth Circuit’s ruling no longer stands; it must reconsider the Park Service’s authority over the disputed land under Section 103(c).
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court rejected the Ninth Circuit’s interpretation, wiped out its ruling (vacated it), and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded it).
The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) was the law at issue; the dispute focused on Section 103(c) and nonfederal land within Alaska park boundaries.
Question presented
Does the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 prohibit the National Park Service from exercising regulatory control over state, Native, corporate, and private Alaska land physically located within the boundaries of the National Park System?
What the Court decided
Holding
The Ninth Circuit’s interpretation of Section 103(c) is inconsistent with both the text and context of ANILCA. 768 F. 3d 1066, vacated and remanded.
- Result
- Vacated
The Court's reasoning
The Court said the Ninth Circuit’s reading of Section 103(c) conflicted with ANILCA’s text and context.
The vote
What's next
The Ninth Circuit must take up Sturgeon’s case again in light of the Supreme Court’s conclusion about its reading of Section 103(c).
Documents
Opinions
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Opinion added: Sturgeon
More questions
- What does ANILCA stand for?
- It is the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
- Which part of ANILCA did the Court address?
- The Court addressed Section 103(c).
- Did the case concern land outside Alaska?
- No. The dispute concerned nonfederal land within Alaska park boundaries.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.