Bill introduced to take Quileute Tribe away from tsunami zone

Friday, March 18, 2011  

The Quileute Tribe of Washington will be able to move out of a tsunami zone under legislation introduced in the 112th Congress.

S.636 and H.R.1162 will transfer a total of 772 acres within Olympic National Park to the tribe. The land will allow the tribe to escape the threat of tsunamis and flooding.

“Last week’s tragedy in Japan is a reminder of the importance of preparing coastal communities for future tsunamis,” Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) said in a press release. “This bill will allow the Quileute tribe to move their community’s infrastructure to higher ground and out of harm’s way.”

The tribe evacuated about 350 to 400 people in response to a tsunami advisory that was issued after the earthquake in Japan.

Get the Story:
Legislation would give Quileutes higher ground (The Peninsula Daily News 3/18)

Related Stories:
Washington tribes evacuate coast in response to tsunami threats (3/11)
Quileute Tribe asks Sen. Cantwell to support federal land swap (2/24)
New chair of Quileute Tribe calls federal land swap a major priority (1/27)
Bill resolves long-running boundary dispute with Quileute Tribe (12/17)
Quileute Tribe reaches deal for park land transfer (7/28)
Quileute Tribe to meet over park boundary dispute (10/12)
Quileute Tribe, National Park Service in dispute (10/5)