(Washington, D.C.) – Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that the Senate Indian Affairs Committee voted to pass the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act, which would transfer approximately 37 acres of land owned by the National Park Service to the Tribe, and would take into trust land the Tribe has purchased or had transferred to it. The bill was co-sponsored by Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell.
“Members of the Hoh Tribe have endured flood after flood, watched their homes and land wash away too many times, and have witnessed dangerous environmental and health hazards arise in their community,” said Senator Patty Murray. “The time for action has come, and this legislation will finally provide them with the safe place they need to rebuild their community. I applaud the Indian Affairs Committee for their work in passing this bill, which represents a major step forward on this critical and long-lasting issue. As the legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration, I will continue working to ensure that the Hoh tribe has access to the safe and durable home it deserves.”
“The Hoh Tribe has spent far too long struggling with life on a flood plain,” said Senator Maria Cantwell. “I applaud the Indian Affairs Committee for approving this bill that will allow the Hoh tribe to move out of harm’s way.”