March 5, 2026
Ms. Cantwell (for herself and Mrs. Murray) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Nisqually Indian Tribe the Clear Creek Hatchery infrastructure, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Conveyance to Nisqually Indian Tribe of Clear Creek Hatchery infrastructure
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Clear Creek Hatchery
The term Clear Creek Hatchery means the area generally depicted as Clear Creek Hatchery
on each covered map.
(2) Covered infrastructure
(A) In general
The term covered infrastructure means each of the following items generally depicted on a covered map:
(i)
Asphalt Pond #11.
(ii)
Asphalt Pond #13.
(iii)
Asphalt Pond #14.
(iv)
Asphalt Pond #15.
(v)
Asphalt Pond #16.
(vi)
Clear Creek Spring.
(vii)
Dam 1.
(viii)
Dam 2.
(ix)
Fish Ladder.
(x)
Hillside Spring.
(xi)
Incubation Room.
(xii)
Lower Forebay.
(xiii)
Lower Site Discharge.
(xiv)
Pollution Abatement Ponds.
(xv)
Raceways.
(xvi)
Spring 1.
(xvii)
Spring 2.
(xviii)
Spring 3.
(xix)
Upper Forebay.
(xx)
Upper Site Re-Use Flow.
(xxi)
Water Tower.
(xxii)
Well 1.
(xxiii)
Well 2.
(xxiv)
Well 3.
(xxv)
Well 4.
(xxvi)
Well 5.
(B) Inclusions
The term covered infrastructure includes—
(i)
each pipe, electrical and communication conduit, and other infrastructure within a Clear Creek Hatchery associated with each item described in subparagraph (A); and
(ii)
each security fence and road within a Clear Creek Hatchery.
(3) Covered map
The term covered map means each of the following maps:
(A)
The map entitled Nisqually Indian Tribe Clear Creek Hatchery Lower Site
and dated December 3, 2024.
(B)
The map entitled Nisqually Indian Tribe Clear Creek Hatchery Upper Site
and dated December 3, 2024.
(4) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) Conveyance required
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convey to the Nisqually Indian Tribe all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the covered infrastructure.
(c) Requirements
The conveyance required under subsection (b) shall be—
(1)
subject to valid existing rights; and
(2)
for no consideration.
(d) Map and legal description
(1) In general
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall finalize a map and a legal description of each item to be conveyed under subsection (b).
(2) Controlling document
In the case of a discrepancy between the map and legal description finalized under paragraph (1), the map shall control.
(3) Corrections
The Secretary and the Nisqually Indian Tribe, by mutual agreement, may correct any minor errors in the map or legal description finalized under paragraph (1).
(4) Availability
The map and legal description finalized under paragraph (1) shall be kept on file and available for public inspection in each appropriate office of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.