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HOH Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 14, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Animals and Wildlife

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Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate amendment to the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act and also the underlying bill.

I thank my colleague, Congressman NORMAN DICKS for introducing H.R. 1061 and I support this legislation with the Senate amendment.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation truly embraces a collaborative effort between the Hoh Indian Tribe and the Government. The Hoh Indian Tribe currently lives in a flood-prone area. In fact, over 90 percent of their current reservation lies in a flood zone. Year after year more of their homes and tribal buildings are washed away by flood waters. This legislation allows land to be taken into trust so the Hoh Indian Tribe can relocate to higher, safer lands.

This legislation permits the tribe to conduct a land survey of federal land for relocation and submit it to the Director of the National Park Service for approval. Certain activities such as logging, hunting, and gaming will be prohibited on federal lands. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior and the tribe to make collaborative agreements for mutual emergency fire aid and for the development of a nonmotorized trail from Highway 101 to the Pacific Ocean. This trail will maintain the strong fishing culture of the Hoh Indian Tribe.

Mr. Speaker, as a Member of the Native American Caucus I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Senate amendment to the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act.

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