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 tribe would maintain public and recreational access, including opportunities for hunting, fishing and general recreation, according to the lawmakers’ announcement. Despite the change in ownership status, the proposed legislation would keep the area available for public recreation. Grand Ronde could regulate or temporarily restrict access for reasons including public safety, administration, fish and wildlife management or emergencies.
Congress passed the Western Oregon Termination Act in 1954, ending the federal government’s recognition and trust relationship with the Grand Ronde Tribe. Federal recognition was restored in 1983 through the Grand Ronde Restoration Act. The US Department of the Interior says Congress established an 9,811-acre reservation for the tribe in 1988, which later grew to 10,120 acres through subsequent legislation. The tribe now manages approximately 16,000 acres through its Natural Resources Department, covering areas including forestry, recreation and wildlife conservation, according to Grand Ronde. If Congress passes the legislation, the 18,626 acres would become part of the tribe’s trust land while continuing to provide public access under the conditions outlined in the proposed act.
The tribe says its members remained effectively landless in their own homeland between termination and restoration. The tribe says the proposed transfer would provide additional land for forest management, wildlife, recreation, timber and wildfire resilience. Kennedy said the proposed transfer would help the tribe “rebuild the reservation, community and economy” lost through termination. She said the tribe would manage the forests using knowledge passed down through generations. Merkley said the legislation would allow Grand Ronde to strengthen self-determination and manage ancestral lands while creating economic opportunities in the region.
The proposal comes against the backdrop of a major loss of Grand Ronde land and federal recognition during the 20th century. A reservation was subsequently re-established. Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Salinas described the proposal as a response to the historical loss of the tribe’s ancestral lands.