Editing 1986: River Border
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | + | {{incomplete|Created by a PIERACY [sic] EXPERT; added paragraph regarding Accretion/Reliction by a Land Surveyor - Please change this comment when editing this page. Do NOT delete this tag too soon.}} | |
− | + | [[Ponytail]] explains to [[Megan]] that the Missouri-Nebraska state border is based on the {{w|Missouri River|river}} they are watching. And because the path of rivers mostly only change slowly these borders are typically adopted to that changes. But then she explains that the river once had changed abruptly and the border didn't move with it. That meant that they were on the Missouri side of the river that in fact belongs to Nebraska. | |
− | + | It then occurred to Megan that she could break the law in this area because she is under the mistaken impression that she is in Nebraska but the police can't reach her over the river and Missourian cops actually don't have jurisdiction. In fact, there are no bridges linking it to Nebraska so police would have to go through Missouri in order to get to that part of Nebraska. | |
− | + | The final panel shows Megan saying she's going to cut a pizza into a spiral, which is by no means illegal, and she runs off to commit more crimes, likely similar acts to cutting a pizza in an uncommon way. | |
− | + | In the title text, [[Randall]] claims the disputed region is probably considered like the {{w|International waters|high seas}}, suggesting that no governmental jurisdiction can apply. He sets up the pizza case to be comparable to {{w|Admiralty law|maritime law}} "Pieracy" is a portmanteau of ''pie'' (another name for a pizza) and "piracy" and marinara sauce is frequently served with pizza, so "Maritime" law is rendered "Marinaritime" respectively. | |
− | + | The region mentioned in the comic can be seen here at [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5270132,-95.6954944,10627m/ Google maps] and is known as {{w|McKissick Island}}. In 1904, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in Missouri v. Nebraska that a sudden change of a river's course does not change any border.[https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/196/23/case.html] | |
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− | The region mentioned in the comic can be seen here at [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5270132,-95.6954944,10627m/ Google maps] and is known as {{w|McKissick Island}}. In 1904, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed in Missouri v. Nebraska that a sudden change of a river's course does not change any border. | ||
===Riverine Boundaries in Common Law and Surveying=== | ===Riverine Boundaries in Common Law and Surveying=== | ||
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Accretion is the gradual change of the location of a river or stream by erosion or addition of sediment through natural river processes. According to common law in the United States and elsewhere, if a river or stream location changes gradually, then the boundary line moves with the stream. In cases of pure accretion, it is possible for a parcel of land to be entirely eroded away on one side of a river, and have material be added to the opposite side of the river. In such cases, one property owner could lose all their land. | Accretion is the gradual change of the location of a river or stream by erosion or addition of sediment through natural river processes. According to common law in the United States and elsewhere, if a river or stream location changes gradually, then the boundary line moves with the stream. In cases of pure accretion, it is possible for a parcel of land to be entirely eroded away on one side of a river, and have material be added to the opposite side of the river. In such cases, one property owner could lose all their land. | ||
− | + | Avulsion is a sudden change in the location of a river or stream, often due to flooding. In times of flood, a river can cut a new channel through surrounding land, which can create islands and oxbow lakes. According to common law, an avulsive change will not change the boundary of the land, as it is likely that the property is unchanged except for the new channel. | |
− | In the real world, however, river systems undergo both accretion and avulsion multiple times over | + | In the real world, however, river systems undergo both accretion and avulsion multiple times over a period of time. This makes the determination of property lines along riverine boundaries one of the most complicated aspects of boundary surveying. An examination of a river boundary will require in-depth research of the local history of the river, including reviewing deeds, government survey plats, private survey maps, aerial photos taken over time, local landowners recollections, and local lore. In situations where there is disagreement over whether an avulsive or accretive change happened, landowners may have to go to court for a suit to quiet title. |
− | Further in-depth reading may be found in the US Bureau of Land Management's 2009 Manual of Surveying Instructions, Chapter 8, specifically | + | Further in-depth reading may be found in the US Bureau of Land Management's 2009 Manual of Surveying Instructions, Chapter 8, specifically page 197-205. |
+ | [https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Manual_Of_Surveying_Instructions_2009.pdf] | ||
=== Real-world examples === | === Real-world examples === | ||
Often, borders defined by a river actually change. There are three methods to define a border: | Often, borders defined by a river actually change. There are three methods to define a border: | ||
− | *The border follows one of the river banks, often in reference to a low-water mark. The exact location of the border is defined in a clear way - but one of the territories will lose terrain through {{w|erosion}}. When the river bends, erosion occurs at the outer bank and much less at the inner bank. | + | *The border follows one of the river banks, often in reference to a low-water mark. The exact location of the border is defined in a clear way - but one of the territories will lose terrain through {{w|erosion}}. When the river bends, erosion occurs at the outer bank, and much less at the inner bank. |
*The border follows the middle of the river. | *The border follows the middle of the river. | ||
− | *The most usual definition of a riverine border uses the {{w|talweg}}. The talweg (German for "valley path") always follows the line of the deepest points in the water body. Especially at river bends, the talweg is rarely in the middle of the river. Incidentally, the talweg also signifies the navigable zone of a river | + | *The most usual definition of a riverine border uses the {{w|talweg}}. The talweg (German for "valley path") always follows the line of the deepest points in the water body. Especially at river bends, the talweg is rarely in the middle of the river. Incidentally, the talweg also signifies the navigable zone of a river. |
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− | The | + | The Mexican-US-Border that follows the Rio Grande is one of the most prominent examples of an international border that needs meticulous regulation. Thus, the {{w|International Boundary and Water Commission}} was created. This commission was involved when the two nations rectified the course of the river, ceding equal amounts of land to each other. The Canada-US-Border is overseen by a similar commission. |
− | One of the causes of the {{w|Iran-Iraq War}} was the dispute on shipping rights on the {{w|Shatt-el Arab river}}, and because the border was defined as the low water mark at the ''eastern'' side of that river, Iranian shipping was severely restricted. So the Shah of Persia announced | + | One of the causes of the {{w|Iran-Iraq-War}} was the dispute on shipping rights on the {{w|Shatt-el Arab river}}, and because the border was defined as the low water mark at the ''eastern'' side of that river, Iranian shipping was severely restricted. So the Shah of Persia announced to ignore the 1937 treaty on shipping rights, saying that most riverine borders all around the world are defined by the talweg. |
Between Switzerland and Italy, the border is, at most locations, defined by the actual {{w|drainage divide}}. Because the {{w|Theodul Glacier}} between {{w|Zermatt}} (Switzerland) and {{w|Breuil-Cervinia}} (Italy) is slowly melting, the drainage divide moves southwards, thus slowly enlarging the Swiss territory. | Between Switzerland and Italy, the border is, at most locations, defined by the actual {{w|drainage divide}}. Because the {{w|Theodul Glacier}} between {{w|Zermatt}} (Switzerland) and {{w|Breuil-Cervinia}} (Italy) is slowly melting, the drainage divide moves southwards, thus slowly enlarging the Swiss territory. | ||
− | Most other national borders in Europe are defined today as ''fiat borders'' instead of following natural landmarks like rivers. If a river changes course now, the depicted situation would occur; however, most larger rivers have been rectified more than a century ago and thus don't | + | Most other national borders in Europe are defined today as ''fiat borders'' instead of following natural landmarks like rivers. If a river changes course now, the depicted situation would occur; however, most larger rivers have been rectified more than a century ago and thus don't change course often. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[Ponytail and Megan are standing | + | :[Ponytail and Megan are standing next to a river.] |
:Ponytail: This is a cool spot. | :Ponytail: This is a cool spot. | ||
:Ponytail: The Missouri-Nebraska state line follows this river. If the river's path changes gradually, the border moves with it. | :Ponytail: The Missouri-Nebraska state line follows this river. If the river's path changes gradually, the border moves with it. | ||
− | :[A map is shown | + | :[A map is shown with a river from the left to the bottom. A dotted arc is connected on both ends to the river, extending to north-east. An arrow with the text "Old riverbed" points to the arc and it's labeled Nebraska on south-west and Missouri on the other side. The text above the map reads:] |
− | :Ponytail | + | :Ponytail: But when it '''''abruptly''''' changes course, the border stays behind. |
− | :Ponytail | + | :Ponytail: This is a spot where that happened. We're on the Missouri side, but we're in Nebraska. |
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− | :[ | + | :[Frameless panel back to Ponytail and Megan.] |
:Megan: Wow. | :Megan: Wow. | ||
:Megan: So... | :Megan: So... | ||
:Megan: We can commit all the crimes we want here and the cops can't do a thing! | :Megan: We can commit all the crimes we want here and the cops can't do a thing! | ||
− | :[Megan | + | :[Megan points up her finger.] |
:Ponytail: What? No. Why would you even think that? | :Ponytail: What? No. Why would you even think that? | ||
:Megan: I'm going to cut a pizza into a '''''spiral!''''' | :Megan: I'm going to cut a pizza into a '''''spiral!''''' | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Ponytail]] | ||
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