In the 19th century, New York was given jurisdiction over the original land and New Jersey had jurisdiction over the surrounding waters. As the island was expan

In the 19th century, New York was given jurisdiction over the original land and New Jersey had jurisdiction over the surrounding waters. As the island was expanded through land fill, the newly created land was treated as part of New York until the Supreme Court ruled that the original agreement between the states gave the filled in land to New Jersey which is most of the island today. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/supcourt/stories/wpellis052798.htm http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/supco...