Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act
Summary
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. This land will then become part of the Lower Elwha Indian Reservation. The Act also addresses land management and prohibits gaming on the transferred land.
Expected Effects
The Act will expand the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe's reservation and grant them greater control over the specified land. It also clarifies the management of the Elwha River portion of the land and ensures that treaty rights are not affected. The land will be held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the Tribe.
Potential Benefits
- Tribal Sovereignty: Empowers the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe by expanding their land base and control.
- Cultural Preservation: Facilitates the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional practices tied to the land.
- Environmental Stewardship: Allows the Tribe to manage the land in accordance with their values and knowledge.
- Economic Development: Creates opportunities for economic development within the reservation.
- Resource Management: Enables better management of natural resources within the expanded reservation.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Land Use Conflicts: Possible conflicts arising from differing land management priorities between the Tribe and neighboring landowners or other stakeholders.
- Loss of Federal Control: Reduces federal government's direct control over the transferred land.
- Economic Limitations: Restrictions on gaming may limit potential revenue sources for the Tribe.
- Administrative Burden: Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct surveys and make boundary adjustments, creating an administrative burden.
- Uncertainty: Potential for unforeseen environmental or economic consequences.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the federal government's trust responsibility to Native American tribes, recognized through treaties and historical legal precedents. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Indian Commerce Clause) grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with Indian tribes. This Act falls under that power as it manages land and resources for a tribe. The Act also respects existing treaty rights, reinforcing its constitutional alignment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).