Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act

The Hoh Indian Reservation, located along the Hoh River and the Pacific Ocean in a remote section of Jefferson County, Washington, is the homeland of the Hoh Indian Tribe, a federally recognized Indian tribe.

Established by Executive Order in 1893, the Reservation is approximately one square mile, but its habitable acreage has been reduced over time due to storm surges, repeated flooding and erosion, and lack of river dredging.

Due to its location along the river and ocean and frequent torrential rains, 90 percent of the Reservation is located within a flood zone and, in fact, has flooded repeatedly over the last five years. In addition, 100 percent of the Reservation is within a tsunami zone, leaving most of the Reservation unfit for safe occupation.

The Tribe has repeatedly suffered from serious flood and wind damage to homes, tribal buildings, and utility infrastructure that have caused significant damage and resulted in critical safety and environmental hazards.

Federal agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have limited authority to assist the Tribe with housing and other improvements and services due to the dangerous and unsustainable location of the Reservation.

The Tribe has purchased from private owners near the Reservation approximately 260 acres of land in order to move key infrastructure out of the flood zone.

In addition, the State of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources has transferred ownership of 160 acres of land to the Tribe.

An approximately 37 acre parcel of logged land, administered by the National Park Service, lies between the current Reservation land and those lands acquired by the Tribe, and the only road accessing the Reservation crosses this parcel.

Together, the lands described in paragraphs 6, 7, and 8 would constitute a contiguous parcel for the Reservation and would create a safe area for members of the Tribe to live and rebuild their community.

the non-Federal land owned by the Hoh Tribe; and

the Federal land administered by the National Park Service, located in Section 20, Township 26N, Range 13W, W.M. South of the Hoh River.

the condition of the Federal land at the time of the transfer under this section should be preserved and protected;

that the natural environment existing on the Federal land at the time of the transfer under this section should not be altered, except as described in this Act; and

the Tribe and the National Park Service shall work cooperatively on issues of mutual concern related to this Act.

No commercial, residential, industrial, or other buildings or structures shall be placed on the Federal land being transferred and placed into trust. The existing road may be maintained or improved, but no major improvements or road construction shall occur on the lands.

In order to maintain its use as a natural wildlife corridor and to provide for protection of existing resources, no logging or hunting shall be allowed on the land.

The Tribe may authorize tribal members to engage in ceremonial and other treaty uses of these lands and existing tribal treaty rights are not diminished by this Act.

The Tribe shall survey the boundaries of the Federal land and submit the survey to the National Park Service for review and concurrence.

Upon completion of the Tribe’s proposed emergency fire response building, Congress urges the parties to work toward mutual aid agreements.

The National Park Service and the Tribe shall work collaboratively to provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the culture and traditions of the Tribe.

The land may be used for the development of a multi-purpose, non-motorized trail from Highway 101 to the Pacific Ocean. The parties agree to work cooperatively in the development and placement of such trail.