(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced the passage of the Hoh Indian Tribe Safe Homelands Act, which would transfer approximately 37 acres of land owned by the National Park Service to the Tribe to allow the tribe to move out of a tsunami zone and flood plain. The bill, which passed the Senate by unanimous consent, was sponsored by Senator Patty Murray and co-sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. This legislation will now be sent to the House of Representatives for final passage.

“The Hoh Tribe has had to witness their homes and land wash away with the rain and relentless flooding for far too long,” said Senator Murray. “This legislation will provide the Hoh Tribe with a safe place to rebuild their community and I applaud the work of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee for bringing this critical piece of legislation to the full Senate. I’m proud to have worked so hard to pass it and to give the Hoh Tribe the relief and support they deserve.”

“For too long, the Hoh Indian Tribe has been besieged by water in one of the rainiest places in America, with constant flooding inundating their land time and time again,” said Senator Maria Cantwell.  “Now, thanks to years of hard work and the cooperation of many in making this legislation possible, the Hoh Indian Tribe will be able to move to higher land and focus on growth and prosperity and the future of their community, not just survival.”