Hein et al v. United States of America et al
Filing
70
ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN FULL ; FURTHER ORDERED that 56 UNITED STATES Motion for Summary Judgment IS GRANTED to the extent it argues that the statute of limitations has expired. Signed by Judge Susan P. Watters on 9/26/2017. (AMC)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MONTANA
BILLINGS DIVISION
FILED
S£p 2 6 2017
Cte~. U.s
of .
District
IStrict Cou
81·1·•· Montana rt
1mg8
ARLENE HEIN and ESTATE OF
WILLIAM HEIN,
CV 14-55-BLG-SPW
Plaintiffs,
ORDER ADOPTING
MAGISTRATE'S FINDINGS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
vs.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
and all other Persons, unknown,
claiming or who might claim any right,
title, estate, or interest in or lien or
encumbrance upon the real property
described in the complaint adverse to
Plaintiffs title, whether the claim or
possible claim is present or contingent,
Respondents.
Before the Court are United States Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan's
findings and recommendations filed on July 14, 2017. (Doc. 67). Judge Cavan
recommends that this Court grant Respondent United States' motion for summary
judgment (Doc. 56). Plaintiffs Arlene Hein and Estate of William Hein (the Heins)
filed timely objections to the findings and recommendations. The Heins are
entitled to de novo review of those portions of Judge's Cavan's findings and
recommendations to which they properly object. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l); Fed. R.
Civ. P. 72(b)(3).
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The Heins raise two objections to Judge Cavan's findings and
recommendations. First, the Heins argue Judge Cavan misconstrued the Ninth
Circuit's holding in Fidelity Exploration and Production Co. v. United States, 506
F.3d 1182 (9th Cir. 2007). (Doc. 68 at 6). Second, the Heins argue the United
States' claim was too vague or ambiguous to constitute notice. (Doc. 68 at 8).
Regarding the first objection, the Heins argue Fidelity "does not have a
holding regarding when the statute of limitations began to run." (Doc. 68 at 6).
The Court disagrees. Fidelity quite clearly states the statute of limitations began to
run when the Northern Cheyenne Allotment Act of 1926 was enacted. The first
paragraph of Fidelity states "[w]e conclude that Fidelity's predecessor in interest
knew, or should have known, of the claim of the United States no later than 1926,
when an Act of Congress recognized the 'middle channel of the Tongue River' as
the eastern boundary of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation." 506 F.3d at 1184.
Fidelity's final paragraph states "Fidelity does not dispute that Montana knew or
should have known of the United States' claim to the western Tongue River bed at
least as of 1926 when the Northern Cheyenne Allotment Act of 1926 was enacted.
Consequently, the statute of limitations on Fidelity's claim has long since expired."
506 F.3d at 1186. The Heins' first objection is overruled.
Regarding the second objection, the Heins argue the statute of limitations "is
not triggered when the United States' claim is ambiguous or vague," quoting
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Kingman ReefAtoll Investments, L.L.C. v. United States, 541F.3d1189, 1198 (9th
Cir. 2008) and citing California v. Yuba Gold Fields, Inc., 752 F.2d 393, 397 (9th
Cir. 1985). The Heins misquote Kingman Reef What Kingman Reef actually
states is '"[t]he government's claim need not be clear and unambiguous."' 541
F.3d at 1198 (quoting Spirit Lake Tribe v. North Dakota, 262 F.3d 732, 738 (8th
Cir. 2001)). In other words, the government's claim can be ambiguous or vague.
Kingman Reef, 541 F .3d at 1198 ("a claim that creates even a cloud on" a
plaintiffs ownership interest triggers statute of limitations). The Court agrees with
Judge Cavan that under Fidelity, the Heins' claim is time barred because either
they or their predecessors knew or should have known of the government's claim
at the very latest in 1958 when Congress passed the Congressional Act that
restored tribal ownership of vacant and undisposed-of ceded lands. The Heins'
second objection is overruled. Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Judge Cavan's findings and
recommendations (Doc. 67) are ADOPTED IN FULL.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the United States' motion for summary
judgment (Doc. 56) is GRANTED to the extent it argues that the statute of
limitations has expired.
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DATED this
~
of'b day of September, 2~
~i==--~~t_/_M_~-susANP. WATTERS
United States District Judge
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