Bill Overview
Title: To take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill takes approximately 1,082.63 acres of specified lands in the state of Washington into trust for the benefit of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Lands taken into trust shall be part of the Lower Elwha Reservation. Further, the bill prohibits gaming on the land taken into trust.
Sponsors: Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6]
Target Audience
Population: Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe members
Estimated Size: 1000
- The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe currently has approximately 1,000 enrolled members.
- The transfer of land to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe will directly impact the tribe, as it involves their ancestral lands.
- No new gaming operations will be established on the land, potentially affecting local economic activities and employment opportunities related to gaming.
- Given the localized nature of this land trust legislation, the primary impacts will be felt within the tribe and possibly the local community in Washington state.
Reasoning
- The policy directly affects the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, a small community, therefore a significant portion of the impact will be concentrated among them.
- Given the size of the land and budget, we expect limited yet targeted improvements in wellbeing, mainly due to improved communal resources and cultural preservation.
- The prohibition on gaming means no new economic activities in that sector will be established, focusing benefits rather on asset ownership and possibly ecological or cultural values.
- The budget ensures that changes will be more cultural and environmental rather than wide scale economic.
- The local population in areas surrounding the tribe might feel minimal effect due to the lack of new job creation opportunities associated with gaming.
Simulated Interviews
Cultural Preservation Officer (Port Angeles, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The land being taken into trust is essential for preserving our cultural heritage.
- Prohibiting gaming ensures the sanctity of the land, even though it limits immediate economic opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Business Consultant (Seattle, WA)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see how this affects me directly, but it's good for the tribe to regain their lands.
- Without gaming, I don't expect significant economic changes in the region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Student (Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy helps us protect our land and culture.
- Gaming could have been an economic boost, but cultural preservation is more important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Local Business Owner (Port Angeles, WA)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The decision could affect local businesses due to no new gaming developments.
- Hope there'll be new opportunities with tourism or cultural events.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
Health Worker (Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving our land quality can enhance community health outcomes.
- Preservation outweighs commercial gains from gaming.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired (Tacoma, WA)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's gratifying to see Indigenous lands returned.
- This decision doesn't impact my life directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Tribal Leader (Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Obtaining land in trust is a victory for our sovereignty.
- We dreamed of possible casino revenues, but this is a more sustainable path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
College Student (Port Angeles, WA)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm happy to see land being preserved for its rightful owners, even if it means no economic boom from gaming.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (Sequim, WA)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ecological protection of the land is a win for the environment.
- Not having gaming keeps the focus on sustainable practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Elder (Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation, WA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This land is sacred, and having it returned is a blessing.
- We can continue our traditions and protect our environment without gaming distractions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $300000 (Low: $200000, High: $400000)
Year 2: $200000 (Low: $150000, High: $250000)
Year 3: $100000 (Low: $80000, High: $120000)
Year 5: $100000 (Low: $80000, High: $120000)
Year 10: $100000 (Low: $80000, High: $120000)
Year 100: $100000 (Low: $80000, High: $120000)
Key Considerations
- The prohibition of gaming could deter other forms of economic development that might have been facilitated by gaming revenues.
- The transfer of land into trust is seen primarily as a social and cultural benefit to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, supporting their sovereignty and control over ancestral lands.
- There are limited direct economic benefits to the broader U.S. economy or governmental revenues from this policy.