Bill > S1513

This bill transfers approximately 1,082.63 acres of federal land located within Olympic National Park to be held in trust by the United States specifically for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe (also known as the Lower Elwha Tribal Community) in Washington State. The transferred land will become part of the tribe's existing reservation and will not be subject to standard federal land valuation or appraisal requirements. The bill specifies that a portion of the Elwha River within these lands will be managed according to Wild and Scenic Rivers Act guidelines, with some modifications allowed under previous ecosystem restoration legislation. The Secretary of the Interior will conduct a survey to define the precise boundaries of the transferred land and can make minor boundary adjustments as needed. Importantly, the bill explicitly prohibits the transferred land from being used for gaming purposes under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The legislation also explicitly states that it does not impact the tribe's existing treaty rights as established in the 1855 Treaty of Point No Point. By transferring these lands, the bill aims to restore and support the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's land holdings and cultural heritage.