Summary#
This bill takes about 1,082.63 acres of Federal land (marked "NPS Parcels to be Transferred to Tribe" on a December 2021 map) into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The land becomes part of the Lower Elwha Indian Reservation. The bill says the land is not subject to Federal requirements for valuation, appraisal, or equalization. A portion of the Elwha River on that land will be managed under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, with necessary modifications under the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act. The Secretary of the Interior must survey the land, may make minor boundary adjustments or correct map errors, and the transferred land is not considered Indian lands for purposes of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The bill also states it does not affect treaty rights under the 1855 Treaty of Point No Point.
What it means for you#
- The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will receive trust status for the specified Federal parcels and those parcels will join the tribe's reservation.
- The Interior Department will conduct a survey and may adjust boundaries or correct mapping errors.
- The Elwha River portion included will follow Wild and Scenic Rivers Act management rules, with the Elwha-specific modifications noted in existing law.
- The transferred land will not be treated as Indian lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (so it would not allow gaming under that Act).
- The bill says it does not change treaty rights under the Treaty of Point No Point.
Expenses#
- The text does not provide information about costs to the Federal Government or to the Tribe.
- The bill specifies the land is not subject to Federal valuation, appraisal, or equalization requirements, but it does not state any dollar amounts or funding sources.
Proponents' View#
No publicly available information.
Opponents' View#
No publicly available information.