Mission
Effectively manage the physical and cultural qualities of the air, water, earth, plants and wildlife, both on and off reservation, for the people of the Chehalis Tribes.
Programs
Community Outreach: Monica Lopez
- Park Passes
- Burn Permits
- Firewood Permits
- WA Fishing/Hunting Licenses (Chehalis Tribal only)
Realty Program: Charlotte Lopez
- Notary Services
- Homesite Lease Program
- Probate work
- Title Reports
- Gift Conveyances
- Partitioning Allotments and Site Leases
- Fireworks Leases
- Agricultural Leases
Environmental Program: Colleen Parrott
- Environmental Reviews
- Water Quality Program
- Drinking Water Testing
- Watershed Planning
- Conservation and Restoration Program
- Habitat and Fisheries Research
- Tribal Air Quality Program
Flood Program: Glen Connelly
- Chehalis Basin Strategy Participation
- Basin wide flood planning
- Flood mitigation Projects
GIS Program: Alejandro Licea
- Property Maps
- Aerial Photography
Forestry Program: Adam Lower
- Firewood Permits
- Hazard tree removal
- Forest Practices Review
Fish & Wildlife Program: Shawn Ortivez
- Fisheries Management
- Fish Buying and Selling
- Endangered Species Protection
- Community Fish Cooks
- Fish Donations to Tribal Member Events
- Wildlife Management
- Hatchery Operations
- Family Fishing Events
Chehalis River
Observations, Forecasts and Alerts API
NOAA currently has 3 RSS feeds; Observations, Forecasts and Alerts, available in 5 areas along the Chehalis River; Centralia, Grand Mound, Pe Ell, Porter and Doty.
Tribal Fishing Permit
A Chehalis Tribe Fishing Permit is required for all fishing within the boundaries of the Chehalis Reservation, pursuant to CTC 10.10.410. A copy of the tribal ordinance can be viewed here: (pdf of fishing permit ordinance)
If Caught Fishing Without A Chehalis Tribe Fishing Permit, You May Be Subject to Fines and Civil Forfeiture of Your Fishing Equipment.
Tribal Fishing Permits may be purchased at the Tribal Finance Office located at 420 Howanut Road, on the Chehalis Reservation, from 8:00am-4:00pm, Monday–Friday, excluding Tribal holidays and office closures.
Permits are required for each season that the Tribe opens for fishing.
Individual Permits are $45.00 per season.
Guide Permits are $500.00 per season.
Information regarding the status of the fishery openings can be obtained by calling the Tribe’s Natural Resource Department at 360-709-1880
Fishing Hotline: 360-709-1880
Pesticide and Herbicide Permits
Anyone seeking to apply herbicides or pesticides within the boundaries of the Chehalis Reservation, or on other tribally owned properties, is required to apply for a Pesticide-Herbicide Permit before spraying. The fee for each application is $25.00 (non-refundable). We accept cash or checks, or you can use the Chehalis Tribe’s online payment system.
To apply for a permit, select the Pesticide-Herbicide Permit Application link below and fill in the appropriate information. Turn in your completed application to the Department of Natural Resources (address below) or you can email a pdf copy to CDNR @chehalistribe.org. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Home Site Lease Program
We have good news for the tribal community, the Chehalis Tribe is rolling out its new Home Site Lease Program! The plan is to lease tribally owned trust land to enrolled Chehalis Tribal members, so that you can build your very own house. There are some requirements and some restrictions, but the basic program is set up like this.
Enrolled Chehalis Tribal members can apply to lease up to 1 acre of land. You must have a pre-qualification letter from a bank that shows you can afford to build a house. You must also tell us who will live in the house and allow a brief background check, because there are some restrictions for recent criminal activity. Once you are accepted, you can pick out a parcel from the available lands and the proposed lease will be brought to the Business Committee and then the BIA for approval. Once the lease is approved, you will have 2 years to build your house. The lease will be good for two 25 year terms (50 years) and can be renewed, or passed on to your spouse, or children if they are enrolled Chehalis members.
Questions about the new program can be directed to the Tribal Realty Program at 360-709-1850, or the Tribal Planning Department at 360-709-1807. We look forward to helping you get settled in your own new homes!
Meet the Team
Natural Resources
Glen Connelly
Monica Lopez
Colleen Parrott
Fish & Wildlife
Shawn Ortivez
Tara Livingood-Schott
Jesse McMahan
Realty
Charlotte Lopez
Sarah Myer
Frequently Asked Questions
Home Site Lease Program
Enrolled Chehalis Tribal members who can demonstrate the financial ability to build, or install a house on the leased property. (Some people with recent criminal convictions may not qualify. Talk to a Realty Program or a Planning Department representative to learn more.)
Tribal members can contact Tribal Realty at 360-709-1850 and set up an appointment to learn about the program and fill out an application.
After you apply and meet all of the requirements, it could take 2-8 weeks to receive a fully approved lease. The lease must be approved by the Business Committee and then processed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) before we can issue it, so you will need a little patience during the process.
You can lease up to half an acre of tribally owned trust land for a house.
Leases will be for two 25-year terms (50 years total) and then they can be renewed. Each year of the lease costs $1.00 ($25.00 for the first 25 years and another $25 for the next).
You must build, or install a house. Mobile homes, pre-fabricated homes or site built homes are allowed. RV’s and campers are not allowed as permanent homes, but can be used as temporary homes while you build your house. Temporary RV’s must be connected to power, water and sewer.
You have 2 years after your lease is issued to build your house. If you do not build by the deadline, then your lease will terminate.
No, the Tribe is only leasing Tribal Trust land to tribal members, the rest is up to you.
No, financing the house is up to you. You may qualify for a HUD 184 loan, or other home loans, from a bank, or other lending institution. Contact Tribal Realty for more information.
No, you are responsible for getting the lot surveyed and handling all permits.
Yes, after your lease is approved, you will need to apply for a Residential Permit to build your house. You will need to follow all of the Tribal Building Codes and have the home inspected by the Tribe before you can live in it. You might need other permits from the local county, or city, if you are planning to connect your driveway to one of their roads, or connect to their utilities. The Planning Dept. can tell you more about permitting.
All construction must meet tribal building codes, so most people use a professional general contractor. If you are a skilled carpenter/contractor and have the appropriate business license, you could potentially construct your own house. The Planning Dept. can tell you about contractor requirements and building code requirements.
You are responsible for arranging for all utilities. Indian Health Services might have programs that can help and the Planning Dept. can provide you with their contact information.
All trees on Tribal Trust lands are property of the Chehalis Tribe. If any trees need to be removed to construct a house, the cost of that tree removal is the responsibility of the lessee. The value of the trees to be removed can be used to cover the cost of removal. If there is any excess value after the removal is completed, then that amount must be returned to the Tribe. If there are existing structures, fences, or landscaping that may interfere with the building of a new house, any removal or changes will be the responsibility of the lessee.
If you decide you want to sell your house, then you would need to sell it to another Chehalis Tribal member. The new owner would need to enter into a new lease for that property and then buy the house from you.
If you pass away during the lease, your spouse, or children can inherit the lease if they are enrolled Chehalis Tribal members. If they are not enrolled Chehalis Tribal members, then they could be entitled to a Life Estate.
No, renting the property is not allowed. This must be your primary residence and is only meant for your use.
