Bill > HR2389

This bill transfers approximately 72 acres of land in Washington State from the U.S. Forest Service to the Department of the Interior, to be held in trust for the Quinault Indian Nation. The land, identified as "Allotment 1157" on a specific map dated February 2, 2024, will become part of the Quinault Indian Reservation and will be administered by the Secretary of the Interior according to standard federal regulations for lands held in trust for Native American tribes. Importantly, the bill explicitly prohibits gaming on this land under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and specifies that the transfer does not impact existing treaty rights established in the 1855-1856 Treaty of Olympia. The bill also includes provisions regarding environmental responsibilities, requiring the Secretary of the Interior to meet hazardous substance disclosure requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, but does not mandate additional remediation of any existing environmental contaminants. The land transfer is subject to valid existing rights and represents a specific land management action benefiting the Quinault Indian Nation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2389/all-info