Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act
Land Transfer for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe
The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs recently approved this bill and sent it forward for further consideration. It is currently moving through the legislative process and awaits a vote by the full Senate. There are no other companion bills currently linked to this legislation.
Legislative Progress
This bill has strong support from both of Washington's senators, but it still needs to go through committees and find support in the House of Representatives.
Key Points
- This bill would move about 1,082 acres of federal land in Washington State to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The land is currently managed by the National Park Service but would become part of the tribe's official reservation.
- When land is held in trust, the federal government keeps the legal title, but the tribe gets to use and manage the land for their own benefit. This helps tribes regain control over areas that were historically theirs.
- A portion of the Elwha River is included in this land transfer. The bill requires that this section of the river continue to be protected under federal rules that keep rivers wild and scenic, ensuring the ecosystem stays healthy.
- The tribe is not allowed to build casinos or use this specific land for gambling. This ensures the land is used for other purposes like housing, cultural preservation, or natural restoration.
- The bill makes it clear that no existing treaty rights are changed. The tribe keeps all the rights they were promised in the 1855 Treaty of Point No Point, including their rights to fish and hunt in the area.
Impact Analysis
Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.
Milestones
Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
News
No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.