(Washington, D.C.) – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) led their Oregon Congressional Delegation colleagues—including Senator Ron Wyden and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—to introduce the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act. The bicameral bill would transfer 18,626 acres of federal land from the U.S. Forest Service into trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The Tribe will maintain all public and recreational access to the area.
“With the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act, we will enable the Grand Ronde to enhance their self-determination and ability to sustainably steward ancestral lands, while boosting economic opportunity across the region,” said Merkley. “This is long-overdue, and I’ll keep pushing to ensure the federal government upholds its commitment to Tribal communities across Oregon.”
“For too long, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has faced historic injustices that stripped them of their ancestral lands,” said Salinas. “This legislation is a meaningful step towards righting those wrongs. By transferring these 18,626 acres to the Tribe’s stewardship, we honor their deep connection to this land and their leadership in strengthening forest health, wildfire resilience, and community safety for all Oregonians.”
“This bill takes a big step toward helping the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to support services and provide opportunities that will enhance quality of life in the surrounding community,” said Wyden. “I’m proud to support this legislation and will keep battling for all Tribes in Oregon to have the federal government working with them every step of the way as they exercise their sovereignty.”
“Oregonians know that responsible conservation and resource stewardship improve ecosystem health, reduce wildfire risks, and preserve healthy forests for future generations,” said Bonamici. “This land transfer will enhance long-term forest health, expand public access to outdoor recreation, and enhance reconciliation among the tribal, state, and federal governments. I’m grateful for the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde’s commitment to sustainable land management and will continue to advocate for tribal rights and justice.”
“This bill rights a historic wrong for the Grand Ronde who have worked tirelessly to return a just fraction of its ancestral territory,” said Hoyle. “The Grand Ronde Tribe are experts in sustainable forestry management and Indigenous ecology. They are the best stewards of these federal forest lands, and will continue to do so for all Oregonians, as they have done since time immemorial.”
“For generations, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have cared for the lands within their ancestral territory,” said Dexter. “This legislation recognizes the Tribe’s deep connection to these lands and its generations of experience protecting Oregon’s forests and natural resources. Placing these lands in the Tribe’s care will honor that connection and help keep Oregon’s forests healthy for future generations. I will continue working to deliver on our commitments to Oregon’s tribal communities.”
“The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde has shown that it is a responsible steward of Oregon’s natural resources, and I’m proud to support this effort,” said Bynum. “This bill transfers over 18,000 acres of forest land in Tillamook and Yamhill Counties to the Tribe, strengthening tribal sovereignty and ensuring the land is managed for conservation, recreation, and sustainable harvest for generations to come. I’ll keep working to honor our commitments to Oregon’s tribal communities.”
The Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act is supported by the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde, Tillamook County, Yamhill County, Oregon Department of Forestry, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, The Nature Conservancy, Sustainable Northwest, The Stewardship Project, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts.
“We are grateful to Senator Merkley for introducing this bill and standing with Grand Ronde,” said Grand Ronde Tribal Council Chairwoman Cheryle A. Kennedy. “The transfer of these lands helps us rebuild the reservation, community and economy we lost as a result of termination. We will care for these forests with the knowledge our people have carried for generations, the same way we care for the nearly 16,000 acres we manage today. Under our care, this land will stay healthy for generations to come.”
Full text of the Grand Ronde Land Transfer Act can be found by clicking here.
