The Quileute Tribe of Washington will be able to move out of a tsunami zone under legislation introduced in the 112th Congress.

S.636 and H.R.1162 will transfer a total of 772 acres within Olympic National Park to the tribe. The land will allow the tribe to escape the threat of tsunamis and flooding.

“Last week’s tragedy in Japan is a reminder of the importance of preparing coastal communities for future tsunamis,” Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) said in a press release. “This bill will allow the Quileute tribe to move their community’s infrastructure to higher ground and out of harm’s way.”

The tribe evacuated about 350 to 400 people in response to a tsunami advisory that was issued after the earthquake in Japan.

Get the Story:
Legislation would give Quileutes higher ground (The Peninsula Daily News 3/18)

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