Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act
Description
This bill would transfer 72 acres of federal land in Washington into trust for the Quinault Indian Nation and prohibit gaming on that land.
Summary
What it does
This bill would administratively transfer approximately 72 acres of land in Washington from the U.S. Forest Service to the Department of the Interior to be held in trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation. The transferred land would become part of the tribe's reservation, though the bill specifically prohibits any gaming activities on this property. Additionally, the Department of the Interior must meet disclosure requirements regarding any hazardous substances or contaminants on the land, but it is not required to perform remediation or abatement of those materials.
Who is affected
This bill directly affects the Quinault Indian Nation, for whom approximately 72 acres of land will be held in trust as part of their reservation. Federal agencies impacted by the transfer include the U.S. Forest Service, which currently manages the specified lands in Washington, and the Department of the Interior, which must assume trust responsibility for the property.
Key provisions
- Administrative land transfer. The bill transfers approximately 72 acres of specific land in Washington from the U.S. Forest Service to the Department of the Interior.
- Trust status and reservation expansion. The Department of the Interior is required to take the transferred land into trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation, making it part of the tribe's reservation.
- Prohibition on gaming. The bill explicitly prohibits gaming activities on the land taken into trust.
- Hazardous substance disclosure requirements. The Department of the Interior must meet disclosure requirements regarding hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants on the land, though it is not required to perform remediation or abatement.
Fiscal impact
- H.R. 2389, Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act· As ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 25, 2025
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
The bill facilitates an administrative transfer of land between the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior, expanding the Quinault Indian Nation's existing reservation by requiring the land be held in trust. It also references federal disclosure requirements regarding hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants as a condition for the land transfer.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to transfer approximately 72 acres of land in Washington from the U.S. Forest Service to the Department of the Interior to be held in trust as part of the Quinault Indian Nation's reservation.