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United States v. Harold M. Armstrong, 99-1190 (1999)

Court: Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Number: 99-1190 Visitors: 8
Filed: Jul. 28, 1999
Latest Update: Mar. 02, 2020
Summary: United States Court of Appeals FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT _ No. 99-1190 _ United States of America, * * Appellee, * * v. * * Harold M. Armstrong, * also known as "Bo," * * Appellant. * * Appeals from the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. State of Minnesota; * * Amicus on Behalf of Appellant, * * * Voyageurs Region National Park * Association; The Wilderness Society; * The National Parks and Conservation * Association. * * Amici on Behalf of Appellee. * _ No. 99-1191 _ Uni
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                      United States Court of Appeals
                            FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT


                                    ___________

                                    No. 99-1190
                                    ___________


United States of America,                *
                                         *
                            Appellee,    *
                                         *
            v.                           *
                                         *
Harold M. Armstrong,                     *
also known as "Bo,"                      *
                                         *
                            Appellant.   *
                                         *
                                             Appeals from the United States
                                             District Court for the
                                             District of Minnesota.
State of Minnesota;                      *
                                         *
      Amicus on Behalf of Appellant,     *
                                         *
                                         *
Voyageurs Region National Park           *
Association; The Wilderness Society;     *
The National Parks and Conservation      *
Association.                             *
                                         *
        Amici on Behalf of Appellee.     *
                                    ___________

                                    No. 99-1191
                                    ___________


United States of America,                 *
                                          *
                            Appellee,     *
                                          *
            v.                            *
                                          *
Carl E. Brown,                            *
                                          *
                            Appellant.    *
                                          *



State of Minnesota;                       *
                                          *
      Amicus on Behalf of Appellant,      *
                                          *
                                          *
Voyageurs Region National Park            *
Association; The Wilderness Society;      *
The National Parks and Conservation       *
Association.                              *
                                          *
        Amici on Behalf of Appellee.      *

                                    ___________

                               Submitted: May 12, 1999

                                   Filed: July 28, 1999
                                    ___________

                                         -2-
Before McMILLIAN, HEANEY, and FAGG, Circuit Judges.
                           ___________

HEANEY, Circuit Judge.

       Carl Brown and Harold "Bo" Armstrong were convicted in the United States
District Court for the District of Minnesota for violating a National Park Service (NPS)
regulation that prohibits conducting business operations on Rainy Lake in Voyageurs
National Park (VNP) without a permit. We affirm their convictions and the sentences
imposed, except that the sentence imposed on Carl Brown must be modified on remand
with respect to that portion of his sentence that prohibits him from entering VNP for
any purpose.

                                   I. Background

       The VNP concept dates back to 1891 when the Minnesota Legislature requested
that the President of the United States establish a national park in Minnesota between
Crane Lake on the east and Lake of the Woods on the west. See 1891 Minn. General
Laws 402-03. Progress was slow, with no significant action occurring on the request
until 1960 when the state asked the NPS to study the possibility of establishing a
national park within the same area. See S. Rep. No. 91-1513 (1970), reprinted in 1970
U.S.C.C.A.N. 5965, 5966-67. In 1964, the area was recommended for national park
designation by the NPS. See 
id. In 1968,
Representative John A. Blatnik introduced
enabling legislation to establish VNP in the House of Representatives. The bill died
that year but was revived in 1969. See Voyageurs Is First Water-Based Park, Duluth
News-Tribune, Jan. 24, 1971.

       The establishment of VNP was authorized by the Voyageurs National Park bill
(“the bill”) and made contingent upon the donation by Minnesota to the Secretary of
the Interior of some 25,000 acres of state-owned land lying within the boundaries of


                                          -3-
the 219,000 acre park (comprised of 139,000 acres of land and 80,000 acres of water).
See S. Rep. No. 91-1513 (1970), reprinted in 1970 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5965, 5965, 5967.
The bill was passed by the House on October 5, 1970, by the Senate with minor
changes on December 21, 1970, and received final approval by Congress on December
29, 1970, when the House approved the Senate’s changes. See 116 Cong. Rec.
34,798, 34,806, 43,248, 43,773 (1970). Congressman John A. Blatnik of Chisholm,
Minnesota, who first introduced the bill in Congress in 1968, was the principal author
of the legislation in the House of Representatives and Walter F. Mondale was the
principal author in the Senate. The legislation was signed into law as Public Law 91-
661 by President Richard M. Nixon on January 8, 1971. See Nixon Signs Voyageurs
Park Bill, Duluth News-Tribune, Jan. 9, 1971.

       As an active participant in the creation of VNP, the state of Minnesota passed
the necessary land donation legislation required to meet the conditions set forth in
Public Law 91-661 and otherwise encouraged the development of the park. See Minn.
Stat. §§ 84B.01-.10 (1971). That legislation, which donated all state lands within the
boundaries of the proposed VNP to the United States for the purpose of creating the
park, passed the Minnesota House of Representatives on May 12, 1971, with a 108-26
vote, and the Minnesota Senate on May 16, 1971, on a 49-16 vote. See Einer
Karlstrand, Senate Approves Amended Voyageurs National Park Bill, Duluth News-
Tribune, May 16, 1971, at 1. On June 4, 1971, Governor Wendell Anderson signed
the legislation into state law. See Einar Karlstrand, Voyageurs Bill Signed By
Governor, Duluth Herald, June 4, 1971. VNP was officially established by the
Secretary of the Interior on April 8, 1975. See 40 Fed. Reg. 15,921-22 (1975).

       VNP lies along the international boundary between the United States and
Canada, just east of International Falls, Minnesota. See S. Rep. No. 91-1513 (1970),
reprinted in 1970 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5965, 5965. The water portion of VNP is dominated
by four large lakes, Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakin, and Crane. See Map, Appendix 1.
Those four lakes, along with hundreds of smaller lakes, were gouged out of the

                                         -4-
landscape by the great ice sheets that shaped this entire region thousands of years ago.
Taken together, these lakes and the network of connecting waterways make this region
a unique and beautiful setting for a national park. See S. Rep. No. 91-1513 (1970),
reprinted in 1970 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5965, 5965. The northern boundary of VNP bisects
Rainy Lake and also constitutes the border between the United States and Canada.
Most of the dry-land surface of VNP is located on, or near, the Kabetogama Peninsula
(103,850 acres), with a remaining portion (35,280 acres) lying within the then-bounded
Superior National Forest. See 
id. The federal
legislation creating VNP memorialized the voyageurs who traversed
the land and waters along Minnesota’s border with Canada:

      The purpose of this subchapter is to preserve, for the inspiration and
      enjoyment of present and future generations, the outstanding scenery,
      geological conditions, and waterway system which constituted a part of
      the historic route of the Voyageurs who contributed significantly to the
      opening of the Northwestern United States.


16 U.S.C. § 160 (emphasis added).1


      1
       Between 1981 and 1986, approximately 1,060,000 persons visited the park.
See NPS Decade Reports, Recreation Visits 1981-1990 (last modified Feb. 25,
1999) . In 1997, 230,000 visits were
recorded and in 1998, 250,000 visits were recorded. See NPS, Voyageurs NP 1997,
1998 (last modified July 17, 1998) . Thus, approximately 200,000 persons visited VNP
during these time periods. Each person spent approximately $67.50 per day. See
Kenneth Hornback, Voyageurs National Park 1995 Summer Visitor Use Survey (visited
June 21, 1999) . The visits are
substantially below the estimates of 1.4 million visits per year projected by the NPS at
the time VNP was established. See 1.4 Million Expected to Visit Voyageurs the First
Year, Duluth Herald, Apr. 14, 1971, at 1.

                                          -5-
       Since at least December 29, 1966–some four and one-half years before the
state’s donation of the land required by Public Law 91-661–an NPS regulation
governing business operations with national parks has been in effect:

      Engaging in or soliciting any business in park areas, except in accordance
      with the provisions of a permit, contract, or other written agreement with
      the United States, except as such may be specifically authorized under
      special regulations applicable to a park area, is prohibited.

36 C.F.R. § 5.3 (1998); see 31 Fed. Reg. 16,660, 16,661 (1966) (same).

       As of August 10, 1996, the Secretary had given only one permit for the operation
of a tour boat (a business operation) on Rainy Lake Basin. Brown applied for a tour
boat permit and was denied the same by the NSP. Armstrong did not make a similar
application. Both were arrested on Rainy Lake on August 10, 1996 for operating a tour
boat within VNP without a permit. After a trial before a United States Magistrate on
December 10-11, 1997, a judgment finding Brown and Armstrong guilty of operating
a business on VNP waters without a permit was entered on April 17, 1998. The
defendants appealed their convictions to the United States District Court for the District
of Minnesota and that court affirmed by written order on January 5, 1999.

       Brown was sentenced to 60 days incarceration and a $5,000 fine. The
incarceration and the fine were stayed on the condition that Brown not violate any of
the terms of his unsupervised probation. One of the terms of Brown’s probation barred
his presence in VNP except pursuant to an NPS permit for conducting business
operations. Armstrong was sentenced to 30 days incarceration and fined $300. His
incarceration was also stayed for one year during which time he was placed on
unsupervised probation.



                                           -6-
       Brown contended in the district court and contends on appeal that the Secretary
lacked authority to regulate commercial operations on Rainy Lake and that therefore
his conviction must be set aside. He also contends that his sentence represented cruel
and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The district court held that his
conviction was valid as the NPS has jurisdiction over waters within the boundaries of
VNP based on Minnesota's implied cession of jurisdiction over these waters. The court
further decided that the NPS citation of Brown was a proper exercise of its jurisdiction
under the property and commerce clauses of the United States Constitution. Finally,
the court ruled that the regulations respecting permits violated neither the Webster-
Ashburton Treaty of 1842 nor the Root-Bryce Treaty of 1909.

       Armstrong, a Canadian citizen, challenged his conviction contending, as did
Brown, that the NPS did not have authority to regulate commercial operations in
international waters within VNP, and that, in any event, the regulations violated the
Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 and the Root-Bryce Treaty of 1909. His arguments
were also rejected by the district court. Armstrong renews those arguments on appeal.

                II. Minnesota’s Cession of Jurisdiction to the NPS

       In United States v. Brown, 
552 F.2d 817
, 819 (8th Cir.) (Brown I), cert. denied,
431 U.S. 949
(1977), we decided the United States has jurisdiction to enforce
regulations controlling activities on waters within the boundaries of VNP. We
reasoned that the state of Minnesota had ceded jurisdiction of the waters within VNP
to the United States, and noted that the state "was an active participant in the creation
of the Voyageur's National Park," passing enabling legislation and otherwise
encouraging the development of VNP. See 
id. at 821.
We called attention to the
enabling legislation passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 1971, which stated:

      The legislature concurs with the stated purpose of . . . sections 84B.01 to
      84B.10 to preserve, for the inspiration and enjoyment of present and


                                          -7-
                                           7
      future generations, the outstanding scenery, geologic conditions and
      waterway system which constituted a part of the historic route of the
      voyageurs, who contributed significantly to the opening of the
      northwestern United States . . . . Sections 84B.01 to 84B.10 are a
      necessary first step in the establishment of the park and is in furtherance
      of the provisions of section 101 of the act of Congress authorizing the
      establishment of the park.

See 
id. (emphasis added).
       We are obligated to follow this court’s decision in Brown I, and reaffirm its
central holding without reservation. We remain of the view that Brown I correctly
decided the cession issue and that this action by the state of Minnesota supports the
convictions, regardless of the merits of appellants’ other arguments. Accordingly, this
opinion affirms the judgment of the district court on the ground that the state of
Minnesota consented to the NPS’s exercise of jurisdiction over business operations
within VNP, including the operation of tour boats.

       The state of Minnesota initiated the creation of a national park from lands within
its bounds. In 1971, Congress succumbed to the entreaties of the state and authorized
the establishment of VNP subject to two relevant preconditions. First, that VNP would
not be established or a legal description of its boundaries published unless the state
transferred state-owned lands within the proposed boundaries to the Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary). See 16 U.S.C. § 160a.

       Second, that VNP would be established only when "the Secretary deems
sufficient interests in lands or waters have been acquired for administration in
accordance with the purposes of this subchapter.” 16 U.S.C. § 160a. Prior to passage
of the act in January 1971, the state was put on notice of Congress’ intentions and the
prerequisite expectations to be satisfied by the state were the deal to go through and the



                                           -8-
                                            8
Park be established by the Secretary. The state took requisite measures to meet these
expectations:

      The Committee has received assurances from the Governor and Attorney
      General that the State of Minnesota could and would make its lands
      available for the national park. (See telegram of December 19, following
      Departmental reports.) If this legislation is enacted into law, it is the
      desire of the committee that the State and its political subdivisions move
      without hesitation to donate these properties so that land price escalation
      of privately owned land will be minimal. If delays occur, creation of the
      park as presently envisioned may be jeopardized since the bill contains an
      appropriation authorization ceiling of $26,014,000 for land acquisition.

S. Rep. No. 91-1513, reprinted in 1970 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5965, 5967.

       Senate Report No. 91-1513, dated December 21, 1970, placed the state on
notice that the Secretary’s authority would have to be recognized in the context of
making appropriate and enforceable regulations for the park. In regard to the use of
water craft in the proposed park, “[t]he Secretary should have adequate authority to
make appropriate regulations in this regard.” S. Rep. No. 91-1513, reprinted in 1970
U.S.C.C.A.N. 5965, 5968. Moreover, the Secretary's regulation in effect at the time
the legislation was passed specifically gave the Secretary authority to regulate all
business operations in VNP. See 36 C.F.R. § 5.3 (originally promulgated December
29, 1966 as 31 Fed. Reg. 16,660, 16,661). It was abundantly clear to all state
legislators that if they voted to donate the state lands to the Secretary that VNP would
be created, it would comprise not only 139,000 acres of land, but also the 80,000 acres
of water in Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakin, Crane, and hundreds of smaller lakes. The
state legislature had to have known that both the land and the water were necessary
features of the proposed park, as the state's essential role in creation of the park was
hotly debated in the legislature. Several amendments to the legislation were proposed,
some of which would have killed VNP. See Voyageurs Bill Clears House
Subcommittee, Duluth News-Tribune, April 28, 1971; Gene Lahammer, Park Bill

                                          -9-
                                           9
Causes Shouting Match in Senate Committee, The Daily Journal (International Falls,
Minn.), Apr. 22, 1971. All of these amendments were defeated. A substitute proposal
to create a state rather than a national park was likewise rejected by a substantial
majority of the legislature.2

       Neither Minnesota nor the United States expected or contemplated that the state
would transfer its ownership of the lakes to the Secretary, but both understood that if
the park were established, the park, including the waters, would be administered by the
Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the general statutory authorities regarding
the national park system. See S. Rep. 91-1513, reprinted in 1970 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5965,
5965 (noting that proposed park would be “dominated by three large lakes” including
Rainy). Legislation passed by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1995,3 eighteen years


      2
       Contemporaneous with the vigorous and full debate accorded the legislation that
would eventually become Minn. Stat. § 84B.01-.10, an alternative bill to create a
Voyageurs State Park on the Kabetogama Peninsula was introduced to the Minnesota
Senate and rejected. See State Measure Proposes Park At Kabetogama, Duluth News-
Tribune, Mar. 18, 1971. Additionally, an alternative bill establishing a state planning
commission to manage the land and waters in the Kabetogama, Namakin and Crane
lakes area in Northern Minnesota was introduced to the Minnesota House of
Representatives and rejected. See Bill Would Set Up Planning Unit for Kabetogama
Area, Duluth News-Tribune, Apr. 20, 1971.

      3
          Minnesota statute § 84B.061 provides:

      [N]one of the navigable waters within the park and the lands under them
      have been donated to the United States. These navigable waters include
      . . . Rainy . . . [L]ake[]. Pursuant to applicable federal and state law,
      navigable waters and their beds are owned by the state. Ownership of
      and jurisdiction over these waters and their beds has not been ceded by
      the state, either expressly or implicitly, to the United States.

Minn. Stat. Ann. § 84B.061 (West 1999).

                                         -10-
                                          10
after our decision in Brown I, cannot alter the fact that the state consented to the NPS
exercising jurisdiction over the waters of VNP in 1971. Once a state cedes jurisdiction
of an area to the United States, it cannot unilaterally reassert jurisdiction. See Paul v.
United States, 
371 U.S. 245
, 264 (1963); United States v. Unzeuta, 
281 U.S. 138
, 143
(1930); Fort Leavenworth R. Co. v. Lowe, 
114 U.S. 525
, 541-42 (1885); Yellowstone
Park Transportation Co. v. Gallatin County, 
31 F.2d 644
, 645 (9th Cir.); Rogers v.
Squier, 
157 F.2d 948
, 950 (9th Cir. 1946). Consequently, we now reaffirm our holding
in Brown I that Minnesota ceded jurisdiction to the NPS over waters within the
boundary of VNP.

        III. Constitutional and Treaty-Based Challenges To Jurisdiction

       While we understand Minnesota’s cession of the lands and waters comprising
VNP to foreclose any argument concerning Congress’ power to unilaterally enact
regulations governing commercial activity within the park, we nonetheless address
these arguments in the interest of finality. Brown and Armstrong argue that Congress
did not have the power under the Commerce and Property Clauses of the Constitution
to enact 16 U.S.C. § 1a-2(h), authorizing the NPS to “promulgate and enforce
regulations concerning boating and other activities on or relating to waters located
within areas of the [NPS].” 16 U.S.C. § 1a-2(h) (1998). The district court properly
ruled that Congress does have such authority and that it provides an “additional basis
for jurisdiction” independent of the jurisdiction Minnesota ceded to the United States.
(Memorandum and Order, at 4.)

      In Kleppe v. New Mexico, 
426 U.S. 529
, 546 (1976), the Supreme Court held
that Congress may make those rules regarding non-federal lands as are necessary to
accomplish its goals with respect to federal land. This court followed Kleppe in
Brown I, where we stated:




                                          -11-
      The crucial question is whether federal regulations can be deemed
      "needful" prescriptions "respecting" the public lands. This determination
      is primarily entrusted to the judgment of Congress, and courts exercising
      judicial review have supported an expansive reading of the Property
      Clause. In light of these general standards, we view the congressional
      power over federal lands to include the authority to regulate activities on
      non-federal public waters in order to protect wildlife and visitors on the
      
lands. 552 F.2d at 822
. We again followed Kleppe in Minnesota by Alexander v. Block, 
660 F.2d 1240
(8th Cir. 1981). In Block, the state of Minnesota contended that Congress
did not have the power to enact motorboat use restrictions on surface waters within a
wilderness area. The district court rejected the state's claims and we affirmed, stating:

      Under this [Property Clause-based] authority to protect public land,
      Congress' power must extend to regulation of conduct on or off the public
      land that would threaten the designated purpose of federal lands.
      Congress clearly has the power to dedicate federal land for particular
      purposes. As a necessary incident of that power, Congress must have the
      ability to insure that these lands be protected against interference with
      their intended purposes.

Id. at 1249.
       We are unable to distinguish the facts here from those in Kleppe, Brown I, and
Block. In each case, Congress invested the Department of the Interior with the power
and authority to impose reasonable regulations with respect to conduct occurring within
the boundaries of public lands under the department’s control. Here, the regulation
requiring that commercial tour boat operators obtain a permit before operating
commercial tour boats within VNP is well within the authority of the NPS.




                                          -12-
                                           12
      Not only is the regulation relating to the permitting system consistent with the
purpose of VNP,

      to preserve, for the inspiration and enjoyment of present and future
      generations, the outstanding scenery, geological conditions, and
      waterway system which contributed a part of the historic route of the
      Voyageurs who contributed significantly to the opening of the
      Northwestern United States,

16 U.S.C. § 160 (emphasis added), but also Congress has specifically directed the NPS
that,

      in accordance with the fundamental purpose of conserving their scenery,
      wildlife, natural and historic objects, and providing for their enjoyment in
      a manner that will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future
      generations, the Congress hereby finds that the preservation of park
      values requires that . . . public accommodations, facilities, and services
      as have to be provided within [park system] areas should be provided
      only under carefully controlled safeguards against unregulated and
      indiscriminate use, so that heavy visitation will not unduly impair these
      values,

16 U.S.C. § 20.4




      4
        Though constitutional analysis of the NPS regulation at issue here is
appropriately aimed at Congress’ power under the Property Clause, appellant’s also
forward a Commerce Clause argument. Their challenge of Congress’ power is
unconvincing. Congress’ authority to regulate commerce and to delegate significant
portions of this power to the Executive Branch is well established. See United States
v. Appalachian Power Co., 
311 U.S. 377
, 426 (1940); California Bankers Ass’n v.
Shultz, 
416 U.S. 21
, 59 (1974).

                                         -13-
      Defendants additionally contend that regulation of tour boats in VNP violates the
Root-Bryce Treaty of 1909, 36 Stat. 2448, and the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842,
Aug. 9, 1842, 8 Stat. 572. The 1909 treaty provides:

      The High Contracting Parties agree that the navigation of all navigable
      boundary waters shall forever continue free and open for the purpose of
      commerce to the inhabitants and to the ships, vessels, and boats of both
      countries equally, subject, however, to any laws and regulations of either
      country, within its own territory, not inconsistent with such privileges of
      free navigation and applying equally and without discrimination to the
      inhabitants, ships, vessels, and boats of both countries.

36 Stat. at 2449 (emphasis added).5

       We disagree with defendants' contention. The treaties make clear that both the
United States and Canada may adopt laws and regulations not inconsistent with the
privileges of free navigation, so long as the laws and regulations are applied in a
nondiscriminatory manner. Certainly, requiring a tour boat operator in a national park
to obtain a permit is not unreasonable and is not inconsistent with the privileges of free
navigation. Moreover, it is clear that the regulations are applied in a nondiscriminatory
manner. The regulation is equally applicable to American and Canadian citizens who
seek to operate a business operation in VNP.


      5
          Article II of the 1842 treaty states:

      It being understood that all the water-communications and all the usual
      portages along the line from Lake Superior to the Lake of the Woods; and
      also Grand Portage, from the shore of Lake Superior to the Pigeon River,
      as now actually used, shall be free and open to the use of the citizens and
      subjects of both countries.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty, Aug. 9, 1942, 8 Stat. 572, 574 (1842).


                                             -14-
                                              14
       We face here with the same argument raised by defendants in 
Block, 660 F.2d at 1240
, respecting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In that case, we concluded that
the free and open provision of the treaties did not preclude either signatory to the
treaties "from enacting reasonable regulations affecting commerce along the waterways,
as long as the regulations apply equally to citizens of both countries." 
Id. at 1258.
In
reaching this decision, we gave weight to an opinion of the State Department which
stated:

      We believe that the intent of the "free and open" provision for these
      waters was to ensure that this important route remained open, on an equal
      basis, to the nations of both countries. It would not be correct, however,
      to interpret "free and open" so broadly as to prohibit either United States
      or Canadian authorities from imposing any limitation upon the manner in
      which such waterways and portages may be used. In agreeing to free and
      open use of these waterways and portages, neither party intended to
      relinquish its sovereign role of imposing statutory limitations on behavior
      which would not be in the best interest of the respective country.

Id. at 1258
(quoting Letter from Robert J. McCloskey to Hon. James L. Oberstar)
(quoted in National Ass’n of Property Owners v. United States, 
499 F. Supp. 1223
,
1234 (D. Minn. 1980)) (footnote omitted).

      We find no relevant difference between the BWCA regulation which precluded
motorized use, except on designated lakes and rivers, and VNP regulation which
prohibits business operations in VNP, except pursuant to a permit or other written
agreement with the United States.6


      6
        At trial a park ranger testified that a Canadian tour boat would not violate 36
C.F.R. § 5.3 if it entered the Brule Narrows from the Canadian side of the border and
exited back to the Canadian side of the border. This is a sensible interpretation of the
regulation. See Griffin v. Oceanic Contractors, 
458 U.S. 564
, 575 (1982) (“A statute
should be construed to make sense . . . .”); Irving v. Clark, 
758 F.2d 1260
, 1263 (8th

                                         -15-
                                          15
                                   IV. Sentencing

      Brown contends that his fine and sentence are excessive and constitute cruel and
unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
We disagree with one exception. One of the conditions of Brown's probation is that
Brown have "no presence" in VNP except pursuant to the terms and conditions of any
permits for the conduct of commercial operations granted to him by the NPS.

       Brown makes two arguments as to why such conditions are violative of the
Constitution. First, he states that his livelihood depends on his traveling through VNP
as a federally-licensed tanker to deliver supplies to families on the lake. The short
answer to this contention is that Brown can seek a permit from the NPS to operate his
tanker delivery service. Thus, he will not be deprived of his livelihood if he meets VNP
requirements for such a permit. Of course, Brown will have to do something that he
does not want to do to obtain the permit – recognize the jurisdiction of the NPS over
business operations in VNP – but we have resolved that issue and it is not a violation
of either the Constitution or the sentencing guidelines to require that Brown submit to
the permitting process if he desires to operate a commercial tanker delivering supplies
to persons living within VNP.

       Second, he states that it is cruel and unusual punishment to make it a condition
of probation that he not enter VNP to pursue the same non-business activities that other
visitors to VNP pursue. We agree. We understand that Brown has persisted for a long
time in his quest to have the federal courts decide that the NPS is without authority to



Cir. 1985). It allows a Canadian tour boat operator to use the narrows which are in
American waters to pass from Canadian waters to Canadian waters without having to
obtain an American permit. Here, however, Armstrong was several miles away from
the Brule Narrows in American waters.


                                         -16-
                                          16
regulate commercial activities on the lake, but this fact is not a sufficient reason to deny
Brown the same satisfaction that other visitors of VNP enjoy.

       We affirm the district court with this one exception and remand the matter to the
district court for the sole purpose of modifying the conditions of probation so as to
permit Brown to visit VNP to engage in the same recreational and educational activities
as other visitors to VNP.

                                 V. Remaining Issues

      We have carefully reviewed the remaining issues raised by the parties and
conclude that they are without merit.

                                    VI. Conclusion

      We affirm the judgment and decision of the district court in all respects
except as to the sentence of Brown and remand to the district court for the purpose
of modifying his sentence.

       A true copy.

              Attest:

                    CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT




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Source:  CourtListener

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