Feds Transfer 72 Acres to Quinault Indian Nation Trust in Washington State

This legislation directs the federal government to transfer about 72 acres of land currently managed by the Forest Service over to the Department of the Interior. The specific parcel, known as Allotment 1157 and detailed on a map dated February 2, 2024, will be held in trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation. Essentially, this land becomes part of the Quinault Indian Reservation.

From Forest Service to Tribal Trust: The 72-Acre Handover

The core action here is shifting ownership and management. Land held 'in trust' means the federal government (specifically, the Secretary of the Interior) manages it on behalf of the tribe, following established regulations for such lands. This move officially incorporates the 72 acres into the Quinault Reservation's territory, expanding the Nation's land base under federal trust protection.

Strings Attached: Land Use and Environmental Caveats

While the land becomes part of the reservation, the bill lays out a couple of key conditions. First, no casinos: Section 2 explicitly prohibits any gaming activities regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act on this specific parcel. Second, existing treaty rights, like those established in the 1855-1856 treaty with the Qui-nai-elt and Quil-leh-ute Indians, remain unaffected by this transfer.

Perhaps most notable for potential real-world impact is the handling of environmental concerns. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to disclose any known hazardous materials on the property, following the rules of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). However, Section 2 also states there's no requirement for the government to actually clean up or mitigate these hazardous substances before handing over the land. The Quinault Nation receives the land 'as is' regarding any disclosed environmental hazards, inheriting the responsibility for any necessary remediation.