Bill > HR2388

This bill, titled the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act, directs the federal government to take approximately 1,082 acres of federal land currently managed by the National Park Service in Washington state and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, meaning the federal government will hold the legal title for the tribe's use. Under the legislation, this newly transferred property will officially become part of the tribe's existing reservation and will be exempt from standard federal land appraisal or valuation requirements. Additionally, the bill mandates that a specific portion of the Elwha River running through the land must be managed according to federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act guidelines—which protect certain rivers for their free-flowing nature and remarkable scenic, recreational, or cultural values—while also coordinating with previous ecosystem restoration laws. Finally, the legislation explicitly prohibits any gaming or casino operations on the newly acquired trust lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and ensures that the transfer does not negatively impact or diminish any historical treaty rights guaranteed to the tribe under the 1855 Treaty of Point No Point.