To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Nisqually Indian Tribe the Clear Creek Hatchery infrastructure.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7515
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-29: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-05T19:48:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation aims to transfer ownership of specific infrastructure at the Clear Creek Hatchery from the U.S. federal government to the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The hatchery supports fish propagation, likely for salmon restoration efforts in the Pacific Northwest, aligning with tribal resource management goals.
Key Provisions
- Conveyance Timeline and Scope: Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or USFWS) must convey all U.S. right, title, and interest in the "covered infrastructure" to the tribe.
- Conditions of Transfer: The transfer is free (no payment required) and subject to any existing legal rights (e.g., easements or permits that predate the bill).
- Documentation: The Secretary must promptly create and finalize a map and legal description of the items being transferred. The map takes precedence over the description if there's a conflict; minor errors can be fixed by mutual agreement between the Secretary and the tribe. These documents will be publicly available at relevant USFWS offices.
- Definitions:
- Clear Creek Hatchery: The site depicted on specified maps.
- Covered Infrastructure: Includes 26 specific items (e.g., asphalt ponds, dams, fish ladder, raceways, wells, springs) plus associated pipes, conduits, security fences, and roads within the hatchery. Items are detailed on two maps dated December 3, 2024 (one for the lower site, one for the upper site).
- Secretary: Refers to the Secretary of the Interior via the USFWS Director.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new mandate for the federal government to relinquish control over federal property at the Clear Creek Hatchery, which is currently managed by the USFWS. It does not amend broader laws but creates a specific, one-time transfer mechanism, shifting authority from federal to tribal jurisdiction without compensation.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The USFWS will lose operational control and maintenance responsibilities for the listed infrastructure, potentially reducing federal expenditures on the site but requiring coordination on any ongoing federal obligations (e.g., environmental compliance).
- Citizens and Local Communities: Tribal ownership may enhance local fish populations and water quality through tribe-led management, benefiting recreational fishers, tribal members exercising treaty rights, and downstream ecosystems. No direct negative impacts on non-tribal citizens are outlined.
- International Relations: None apparent, as the bill focuses on domestic tribal-federal relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Nisqually Indian Tribe: Primary beneficiary, gaining full ownership to support cultural, economic, and environmental goals like salmon recovery.
- U.S. Department of the Interior and USFWS: Responsible for executing the transfer; will need to update records and possibly adjust regional fish management programs.
- Local Stakeholders: Could include nearby residents, environmental groups, or other tribes with shared water resources, indirectly affected by changes in hatchery operations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal policy on tribal property transfers under laws like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (which promotes tribal control over resources). The "valid existing rights" clause protects third-party interests, minimizing disputes.
- Constitutional: Supports tribal sovereignty (a principle upheld in U.S. Supreme Court cases like Worcester v. Georgia), by enabling self-governance over ancestral lands and resources without infringing on federal plenary power over Indian affairs.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support for tribal-federal partnerships in conservation, potentially setting a precedent for similar conveyances to other tribes. No major controversies are evident, but it could influence debates on federal land management and indigenous rights.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-29: Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2026-04-22: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries.
- 2026-02-11: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2026-02-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Nisqually Indian Tribe the Clear Creek Hatchery infrastructure. — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (5 pages)