S. 1514: Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act

This bill, known as the Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act, primarily aims to transfer approximately 72 acres of land in Washington State into trust for the Quinault Indian Nation. Here are the key points of the bill:

1. Land Transfer

The bill mandates that around 72 acres of land, referred to as Allotment 1157, will be administratively transferred from the U.S. Forest Service to the Department of the Interior. This land will be held in trust for the benefit of the Quinault Indian Nation.

2. Reservation Status

• The transferred land will be considered part of the Quinault Indian Reservation.
• It will be administered by the Secretary of the Interior under the relevant laws and regulations that apply to properties held in trust for Indian tribes.

3. Gaming Restrictions

The land that is taken into trust will not be eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. This means that the Quinault Indian Nation cannot develop any gaming facilities on this land.

4. Treaty Rights Protection

The bill ensures that it does not affect any treaty rights that are outlined in the Treaty of Olympia, which was established in the mid-1800s between the United States and the Qui-nai-elt and Quil-leh-ute Indians.

5. Hazardous Materials Disclosure

In relation to the land transfer, the Secretary of the Interior is required to comply with disclosure requirements regarding hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants as per the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. However, the Secretary will not be obligated to clean up or remediate these hazardous materials as part of the land transfer process.

6. Purpose of the Transfer

The overarching purpose of this legislation is to benefit the Quinault Indian Nation by integrating the specified land into their reservation, which could provide various opportunities for the community, albeit without the potential for gaming development on this land.

Relevant Companies

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