H.R. 6032House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act

Introduced November 18, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 8:13 AM UTC

The Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act would place roughly 1,031 acres of federal land in Siskiyou and Humboldt Counties, California, into trust for the Karuk Tribe. It moves administrative control from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of the Interior, while keeping the Forest Service responsible for managing a Wild and Scenic River that runs through the land. The land can be used for the tribe’s traditional activities, but gaming is prohibited. The bill also requires a land survey and a cooperative agreement to protect river values.

Key Provisions

  • Defines the "Katimiin and Ameekyaraam" land as about 1,031 acres of federal land in the specified counties.
  • Transfers administrative jurisdiction of the land from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary of the Interior, with the Forest Service retaining river‑management duties.
  • Places the land into trust for the benefit of the Karuk Tribe, subject to existing easements, rights‑of‑way, and continued Forest Service river management.
  • Allows the tribe to use the land for traditional and customary purposes but bans Class II and Class III gaming on the trust land.
  • Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a complete land survey within 180 days of enactment.
  • Mandates a memorandum of understanding between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Karuk Tribe to set mutual goals for protecting and enhancing the Wild and Scenic River that flows through the land.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

10 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 496.

December 30, 2022

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 18, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

November 18, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

December 8, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

December 8, 2021

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

September 14, 2022

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.

December 8, 2022

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States Discharged.

December 8, 2022

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

December 8, 2022

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

December 8, 2022

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-679.

December 30, 2022

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 496.

December 30, 2022

Bill Text

2 versions available

Reading Mode
Latest
Reported in HouseIssued December 30, 2022

IB

Union Calendar No. 496

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6032

[Report No. 117–679]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 18, 2021

Mr. Huffman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

December 30, 2022

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on November 18, 2021


A BILL

To take certain Federal lands located in Siskiyou County, California, and Humboldt County, California, into trust for the benefit of the Karuk Tribe, and for other purposes.


1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act.

2.

Land held in trust for the Karuk Tribe

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land is located in the ancestral territory of the Karuk Tribe; and

(2)

the Karuk Tribe has historically used, and has an ongoing relationship with, the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land.

(b)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land

The term Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land means the approximately 1,031 acres of Federal land, including improvements and appurtenances to the Federal land, located in Siskiyou County, California, and Humboldt County, California, and generally depicted as Proposed Area on the map of the Forest Service entitled Katimiîn Area Boundary Proposal and dated August 9, 2021.

(2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(c)

Administrative transfer

Administrative jurisdiction of the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land is hereby transferred from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Secretary, subject to the condition that the Chief of the Forest Service shall continue to manage the component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System that flows through the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land.

(d)

Land held in trust

The Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land is hereby taken into trust by the Secretary for the benefit of the Karuk Tribe, subject to—

(1)

valid existing rights, contracts, and management agreements relating to easements and rights-of-way; and

(2)

continued access by the Chief of the Forest Service for the purpose of managing the component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System that flows through the Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam land.

(e)

Survey

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide to the Secretary a complete survey of the land taken into trust under subsection (d).

(f)

Use of land

(1)

In general

Land taken into trust under subsection (d) may be used for traditional and customary uses for the benefit of the Karuk Tribe.

(2)

Gaming

Class II and class III gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) shall not be allowed on the land taken into trust under subsection (d).

(g)

Wild and Scenic Rivers management

(1)

In general

Nothing in this section affects the status or administration of any component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, including any component that flows through the land taken into trust under subsection (d).

(2)

Memorandum of understanding

The Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Karuk Tribe, consistent with the obligations of the Secretary of Agriculture under subsection (c), to establish mutual goals for the protection and enhancement of the river values of any component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System that flows through the land taken into trust under subsection (d).

December 30, 2022

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed