Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act
Term Dictionary
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- Congress.gov Legislative Glossary - Comprehensive congressional terms
- NVFC Congressional Terms Glossary - Concise, easy-to-understand definitions
The gist
- Transfers roughly 1,082 acres of federal park land in Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, expanding their reservation.
Who wins, who loses
- Wins: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Elwha River salmon restoration efforts, tribal sovereignty advocates.
- Loses: National Park Service loses jurisdiction over the parcels; no material losers otherwise.
What it does
- Places 1,082.63 acres of Olympic National Park land into federal trust for the tribe.
- Skips normal valuation, appraisal, and equalization requirements.
- Keeps the Elwha River portion protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
- Bans casino gaming on the transferred land under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Why should I care?
Supporters say returning ancestral lands corrects historical wrongs and supports the massive Elwha dam-removal and salmon recovery project already underway. Critics argue carving land out of a national park sets a precedent and reduces public access to protected wilderness. The gaming ban addresses one common concern upfront. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.