New Oregon bill would return 18,626 forest acres to Grand Ronde tribe
New US federal legislation has been introduced to transfer over 18,000 acres of forest land in Oregon to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The bill aims to restore part of the tribe's ancestral land base while ensuring the area remains open for public recreational use.
Why it matters
This represents a significant development in federal-tribal relations and land restitution efforts in the United States.
More than 18,000 acres of federal forest land in Oregon could be transferred into trust for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde under new legislation introduced in the US Congress, in a move the tribe says would help rebuild part of its land base after decades of federal termination.The Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act, introduced on September 17 by US Sen. Jeff Merkley and US Rep. Andrea Salinas, would transfer 18,626 acres of federal land managed by the US Forest Service to the tribe. The land lies in the Siuslaw National Forest near the Tillamook-Yamhill county line, east of Hebo and close to the Grand Ronde community.The legislation has not yet transferred the land.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in