United States v. Maine

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United States v. Maine, 469 U.S. 504 (1985), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Long Island is not really an island. The Court's opinion was that Long Island is simply an extension of the mainland.

This decision came in the RHODE ISLAND AND NEW YORK BOUNDARY CASE, UNITED STATES v. MAINE ET AL (469 U.S. 504 (1985)). The federal government and states couldn’t agree who controlled the Long Island and Block Island sounds. The states wanted control to regulate shipping and commerce on the sounds. The Key to the case was if Long Island was really an Island. If it were simply an extension of the mainland as the states argued, then under law the sounds are inland bays controlled by the states. If it were truly an island then they would be considered open waters under federal control.

In the end the court ruled in favor of the states. The Court came to this decision by determining that the East River, which separates Long Island from the mainland, was too shallow for safe ship passage until humans widened it. Therefore Long Island is not a natural island. Also, Long Island and the adjacent shore also share a common geological history.