H.R. 7515: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Nisqually Indian Tribe the Clear Creek Hatchery infrastructure.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer ownership of the Clear Creek Hatchery infrastructure to the Nisqually Indian Tribe. Here are the main points regarding this action:

Transfer of Ownership

Within 90 days after the bill is enacted, the Secretary must formally convey all rights to the Clear Creek Hatchery infrastructure to the Nisqually Indian Tribe. This is done without any financial compensation (i.e., for "no consideration").

Requirements for the Conveyance

• The transfer will respect any valid existing rights associated with the property.

Map and Legal Description

After the enactment of this bill, the Secretary is required to create a map and a legal description of the property being transferred. Key points include:

• The map will serve as the controlling document if there are any discrepancies between it and the legal description.
• The Secretary and the Nisqually Indian Tribe can mutually agree to correct minor errors in the documents.
• Both documents will be publicly available for review at the appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Definitions of Key Terms

Several terms are defined to clarify what is included in the transfer:

• Clear Creek Hatchery: Refers to the specific area as depicted on the official maps.
• Covered Infrastructure: Includes specific structures like ponds, springs, dams, and other facilities relevant to the hatchery operations. These structures include, but are not limited to:
  • Asphalt Ponds (#11, #13, #14, #15, #16)
  • Clear Creek Spring
  • Dams (1 and 2)
  • Fish Ladder
  • Various wells and raceways
• Covered Map: Refers to specific maps detailing the locations of the infrastructure included in the transfer.
• Secretary: Refers to the Secretary of the Interior, specifically working through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Overall Implications

This bill establishes a process for the legal transfer of specific federal property related to a hatchery to a Native American tribe. This may impact the operation and management of the Clear Creek Hatchery by the Nisqually Indian Tribe, allowing them to control and utilize the resources according to their needs and practices.

Relevant Companies

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