Overview
Title
To take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 9372 is a plan to give some special land in Washington state to a Native American group called the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, so they can take care of it, but they can't use it to build casinos.
Summary AI
H.R. 9372 proposes taking specific federal land in Washington state and placing it in trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The bill identifies approximately 1,082.63 acres of land to be declared part of the tribe's reservation, without valuation, appraisal, or equalization under federal law. It requires the land to be managed in alignment with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, including necessary modifications for the Elwha River's ecosystem restoration, and prohibits its use for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The bill also ensures that it does not affect treaty rights under the Treaty of Point No Point.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The bill, known as the "Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act," aims to transfer approximately 1,082.63 acres of federal land in Washington State into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The legislation specifies that this land will be held by the United States for the Tribe's benefit and integrated into their existing reservation. Additionally, the bill outlines provisions for managing the land, adjusting its boundaries, and explicitly prohibits any gaming activities on it. Importantly, the bill ensures that the existing treaty rights under the Treaty of Point No Point remain unaffected.
Summary of Significant Issues
Among the significant issues raised by the bill is the exemption from any federal requirements for appraising, valuing, or equalizing the land value, which could lead to concerns about transparency and fairness. The authority granted to the Secretary of the Interior to make minor boundary adjustments without oversight may also raise issues regarding accountability and governance. Another point of contention is the prohibition of gaming on the land, which limits the Tribe's economic development opportunities without offering alternative economic incentives or compensations. Finally, the absence of a clear timeline for completing boundary adjustments and land surveys may lead to administrative delays.
Public Impact
From a broad perspective, this bill could affect the public's perception of fairness and transparency in governmental land transactions. By exempting the land from federal valuation requirements, there may be concerns about whether the transfer process is equitable and clear to all stakeholders. Additionally, without specific guidelines and oversight, the public might doubt the integrity of future boundary adjustments.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe: The direct beneficiaries of the bill are the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe who would receive substantial land that can bolster their community's growth and development. However, the prohibition on gaming restricts a significant potential revenue source, possibly impacting their economic prospects negatively unless alternative opportunities are provided.
Federal Government and Oversight Bodies: The Secretary of the Interior's broad authority could raise accountability concerns, especially if boundary changes or corrections are made without proper checks. Ensuring clear processes and oversight might be needed to maintain integrity and public trust in government actions.
Surrounding Communities and Stakeholders: These groups are likely concerned with how this legislation will affect local dynamics. The lack of a valuation process might cause disputes over land worth, while the absence of dedicated gaming could impact economic interactions between communities.
Overall, while the intention to restore land rights to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe aligns with broader efforts to address historical injustices, the bill raises questions about transparency, economic opportunities, and how the policy is implemented. These aspects suggest a need for careful consideration and potential revision to balance the interests of all concerned parties.
Issues
The bill allows for certain federal lands to be taken into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe without any requirements for valuation, appraisal, or equalization under any Federal law (Section 2, subsection (b)(3)). This could lead to transparency and fairness concerns regarding the value assessment of the land being transferred and could potentially affect public perception and policy fairness.
The Secretary of the Interior is granted the power to make minor boundary adjustments and correct any errors in the map or land description without oversight or specified guidelines (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)). This empowerment without checks raises accountability and governance concerns, as it might allow adjustments that could go unchecked or unreviewed.
The prohibition on using the land for gaming purposes limits the economic development opportunities for the Tribe (Section 2, subsection (e)). There is no mention of alternative economic benefits or compensatory measures to support the Tribe, which could lead to financial disadvantages for the Tribe compared to other tribes with gaming facilities.
The bill lacks a detailed description or explanation of what the "Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act" entails (Section 1). Without such details, it is challenging to audit or evaluate the bill for its financial impact, fairness, or complexity, affecting transparency and understanding among stakeholders.
No clear timelines are provided for the completion of the survey or boundary adjustments after the bill's enactment (Section 2, subsection (d)(1)). This absence of timelines could lead to administrative delays and uncertainty for the Tribe and other stakeholders waiting for the implementation of the trust status of the lands.
The text lacks detailed contextual information, hindering the evaluation of the bill in terms of clarity, specificity, or identifying potential concerns or benefits (Section 1). This lack of detail could cause misunderstanding or mistrust in how the bill affects stakeholders.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this Act is the "Short title," which states that the law can be referred to as the “Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act.”
2. Land taken into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the process for taking approximately 1,082.63 acres of land into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe in Washington, detailing what terms like "Reservation," "Secretary," and "Tribe" mean, how the land will be managed, and prohibiting gaming on it. It includes instructions on boundary surveys and allows for minor adjustments, while also specifying that certain federal valuation laws will not apply.
3. No impact on treaty rights Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section states that the Act will not change or interfere with the existing treaty rights established by the Treaty of Point No Point.