Federal Legislation Advances Land Restoration for Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

: October 20, 2026

Federal Legislation Advances Land Restoration for Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

A major step forward for tribal sovereignty and land restoration became law on October 20, 2026, when President Donald Trump signed the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act.

The legislation, known as H.R. 2388, places approximately 1,082 acres of federal land on Washington's Olympic Peninsula into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

The land, previously managed by the National Park Service, becomes part of the tribe's reservation. The transfer strengthens the tribe's connection to ancestral territory along the Elwha River and supports ongoing environmental restoration efforts.

Years of Work Lead to a Major Legislative Victory

The land restoration follows decades of work to restore the Elwha River and reconnect the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe with lands that have supported its people for generations.

The legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Emily Randall of Washington in March 2025. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Maria Cantwell, with support from Senator Patty Murray.

The House approved H.R. 2388 on December 9, 2025. The Senate followed on September 24, 2026, passing the legislation by unanimous consent.

President Trump signed the bill into law on October 20, 2026, making it Public Law 119-128.

The legislation demonstrates how federal action can support tribal land restoration and recognize the longstanding relationships between Tribal Nations and their ancestral homelands.

Supporting the Restoration of the Elwha River

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe has played an important role in efforts to restore the Elwha River, one of the most significant river restoration projects in the United States.

The removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, completed in 2014, reopened more than 70 miles of river habitat and allowed salmon to return to areas that had been inaccessible for generations.

The newly restored tribal lands are connected to the broader effort to protect the Elwha watershed and support the recovery of salmon and other native species.

The land transfer also provides opportunities for the tribe to continue cultural and environmental stewardship activities connected to the river.

What the Land Transfer Means

Under the new law, approximately 1,082.63 acres are taken into trust by the federal government for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

The land becomes part of the tribe's reservation, providing an important legal foundation for long-term tribal stewardship.

The legislation also specifies that the transferred land cannot be used for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

For the tribe, the restoration represents progress in several important areas:

Tribal sovereignty: Expanding the tribe's reservation and strengthening its relationship with ancestral lands.
Environmental stewardship: Supporting continued restoration of the Elwha River watershed and surrounding ecosystems.
Cultural preservation: Reconnecting tribal citizens with lands that hold longstanding cultural and historical significance.
Future generations: Helping ensure that important landscapes remain connected to the tribe for years to come.

A Positive Step for Tribal Sovereignty

The Lower Elwha Klallam land restoration is another example of how legislation can support the return of ancestral lands to Tribal Nations.

Land restoration efforts can provide opportunities for cultural preservation, environmental management, and greater tribal self-determination.

For the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the new law represents a meaningful step in a much larger restoration effort that has involved tribal leaders, federal agencies, lawmakers, and conservation partners.

As Tribal Nations continue pursuing the return and protection of ancestral lands, this legislation provides a recent example of federal policy supporting tribal sovereignty and long-term stewardship.