§3805 — Title 25 Indians | U.S. Code

Summary

Creates two Treasury funds to pay for fixing and maintaining Indian dams and sets rules for how the money is used. The High-Hazard Fund gets $22,750,000 each fiscal year and the Low-Hazard Fund gets $10,000,000 each fiscal year, for 2017 through 2030. The funds earn interest and can be invested. The Secretary of the Interior may spend up to those yearly amounts plus interest, subject to appropriations, and may use leftover amounts from past years if available. Both funds end on September 30, 2030, and any unspent balance goes back to the Treasury. The Secretary must run a program, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), to repair, replace, or maintain Indian dams that pose flood or safety risks or that hurt dam operations. Each year from 2017 through 2030 the Secretary must use or transfer at least $22,750,000 from the High-Hazard Fund and $10,000,000 from the Low-Hazard Fund (plus interest) to the BIA for those activities. Eligible dams are high- or low-hazard Indian dams in the BIA safety program that are federally owned and managed by the BIA or have deferred maintenance documented by the BIA. The Secretary had to develop program goals and rules for prioritizing funds within 120 days after December 16, 2016, using factors like threats to safety, natural or cultural resources, economic benefits, and flood prevention. Before spending on a dam, the Secretary must consult the BIA and notify the tribe with land jurisdiction and get landowner input within 60 days after December 16, 2016, unless there is an emergency. Priority goes to dams serving more than one tribe or highly populated tribal communities. Normally no more than $10,000,000 may be given to a single dam in any consecutive 3-year period, with a limited exception. Money used is nonreimbursable and may use the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Key terms (one line each): dam — the usual legal meaning and includes related structures or equipment; Fund — either the High-Hazard or Low-Hazard Fund; high hazard potential dam and low hazard potential dam — the FEMA hazard categories; Indian tribe — the statutory meaning; Secretary — the Interior Secretary acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, with Army consultation. The law also creates a 15-member Tribal Safety of Dams Committee to study and recommend updates to the Indian Dams Safety Act, report to Congress within 1 year of its first meeting, and end 90 days after that report. Of the funds, $1,000,000 must be available in fiscal year 2017 for the Committee. Tribes must send a dam inventory at least every 180 days, and the Secretary must report to Congress yearly on dam conditions. A BIA floodplain management pilot program will advise tribes on flood mapping and planning, ends 11 years after December 16, 2016, and may use $250,000 per year from fiscal years 2017 through 2026.

Title 25, §3805

Indians — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In this section:

(1)(A)The term “dam” has the meaning given the term in section 467 of title 33.

(B)The term “dam” includes any structure, facility, equipment, or vehicle used in connection with the operation of a dam.

(2)The term “Fund” means, as applicable—

(A)the High-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund established by subsection (b)(1)(A); or

(B)the Low-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund established by subsection (b)(2)(A).

(3)The term “high hazard potential dam” means a dam assigned to the significant or high hazard potential classification under the guidelines published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency entitled “Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Hazard Potential Classification System for Dams” (FEMA Publication Number 333).

(4)The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304 of this title.

(5)The term “low hazard potential dam” means a dam assigned to the low hazard potential classification under the guidelines published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency entitled “Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Hazard Potential Classification System for Dams” (FEMA Publication Number 333).

(6)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of the Army.

(b)(1)(A)There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the “High-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund”, consisting of—

(i)such amounts as are deposited in the Fund under subparagraph (B); and

(ii)any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under subparagraph (D).

(B)(i)For each of fiscal years 2017 through 2030, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Fund $22,750,000 from the general fund of the Treasury.

(ii)Amounts deposited in the Fund under clause (i) shall be used, subject to appropriation, to carry out this section.

(C)(i)Subject to clause (ii), for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2030, the Secretary may, to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts, expend from the Fund, in accordance with this section, not more than the sum of—

(I)$22,750,000; and

(II)the amount of interest accrued in the Fund.

(ii)The Secretary may expend more than $22,750,000 for any fiscal year referred to in clause (i) if the additional amounts are available in the Fund as a result of a failure of the Secretary to expend all of the amounts available under clause (i) in 1 or more prior fiscal years.

(D)(i)The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary, required to meet current withdrawals.

(ii)The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to, and form a part of, the Fund.

(E)(i)The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this paragraph shall be transferred at least monthly.

(ii)Proper adjustment shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates are in excess of or less than the amounts required to be transferred.

(F)On September 30, 2030—

(i)the Fund shall terminate; and

(ii)the unexpended and unobligated balance of the Fund shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury.

(2)(A)There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund, to be known as the “Low-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund”, consisting of—

(i)such amounts as are deposited in the Fund under subparagraph (B); and

(ii)any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under subparagraph (D).

(B)(i)For each of fiscal years 2017 through 2030, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Fund $10,000,000 from the general fund of the Treasury.

(ii)Amounts deposited in the Fund under clause (i) shall be used, subject to appropriation, to carry out this section.

(I)$10,000,000; and

(II)the amount of interest accrued in the Fund.

(ii)The Secretary may expend more than $10,000,000 for any fiscal year referred to in clause (i) if the additional amounts are available in the Fund as a result of a failure of the Secretary to expend all of the amounts available under clause (i) in 1 or more prior fiscal years.

(D)(i)The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest such portion of the Fund as is not, in the judgment of the Secretary, required to meet current withdrawals.

(ii)The interest on, and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Fund shall be credited to, and form a part of, the Fund.

(E)(i)The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this paragraph shall be transferred at least monthly.

(ii)Proper adjustment shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates are in excess of or less than the amounts required to be transferred.

(F)On September 30, 2030—

(i)the Fund shall terminate; and

(ii)the unexpended and unobligated balance of the Fund shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury.

(c)(1)(A)The Secretary shall establish a program to address the deferred maintenance needs of Indian dams that—

(i)create flood risks or other risks to public or employee safety or natural or cultural resources; and

(ii)unduly impede the management and efficiency of Indian dams.

(B)(i)Consistent with subsection (b)(1)(B), the Secretary shall use or transfer to the Bureau of Indian Affairs not less than $22,750,000 of amounts in the High-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund, plus accrued interest, for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2030 to carry out maintenance, repair, and replacement activities for 1 or more of the Indian dams described in paragraph (2)(A).

(ii)Consistent with subsection (b)(2)(B), the Secretary shall use or transfer to the Bureau of Indian Affairs not less than $10,000,000 of amounts in the Low-Hazard Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Fund, plus accrued interest, for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2030 to carry out maintenance, repair, and replacement activities for 1 or more of the Indian dams described in paragraph (2)(B).

(C)Maintenance, repair, and replacement activities for Indian dams under this section shall be carried out in accordance with the dam safety policies of the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs established to carry out the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.).

(2)(A)The dams eligible for funding under paragraph (1)(B)(i) are Indian high hazard potential dams in the United States that—

(i)are included in the safety of dams program established pursuant to the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.); and

(iii)(I)(aa)11 So in original. No cl. (ii) has been enacted. are owned by the Federal Government, as listed in the Federal inventory required by Executive Order 13327 (40 U.S.C. 121 note; relating to Federal real property asset management); and

(bb)are managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (including dams managed under contracts or compacts pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.)); or

(II)have deferred maintenance documented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

(B)The dams eligible for funding under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) are Indian low hazard potential dams in the United States that, on December 16, 2016—

(i)are covered under the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.); and

(ii)(I)(aa)are owned by the Federal Government, as listed in the Federal inventory required by Executive Order 13327 (40 U.S.C. 121 note; relating to Federal real property asset management); and

(II)have deferred maintenance documented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

(3)Not later than 120 days after December 16, 2016, and as a precondition to amounts being expended from the Fund to carry out this subsection, the Secretary, in consultation with representatives of affected Indian tribes, shall develop and submit to Congress—

(A)programmatic goals to carry out this subsection that—

(i)would enable the completion of repairing, replacing, improving, or performing maintenance on Indian dams as expeditiously as practicable, subject to the dam safety policies of the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs established to carry out the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.);

(ii)facilitate or improve the ability of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to carry out the mission of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in operating an Indian dam; and

(iii)ensure that the results of government-to-government consultation required under paragraph (4) be addressed; and

(B)funding prioritization criteria to serve as a methodology for distributing funds under this subsection that take into account—

(i)the extent to which deferred maintenance of Indian dams poses a threat to—

(I)public or employee safety or health;

(II)natural or cultural resources; or

(III)the ability of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to carry out the mission of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in operating an Indian dam;

(ii)the extent to which repairing, replacing, improving, or performing maintenance on an Indian dam will—

(I)improve public or employee safety, health, or accessibility;

(II)assist in compliance with codes, standards, laws, or other requirements;

(III)address unmet needs; or

(IV)assist in protecting natural or cultural resources;

(iii)the methodology of the rehabilitation priority index of the Secretary, as in effect on December 16, 2016;

(iv)the potential economic benefits of the expenditures on job creation and general economic development in the affected tribal communities;

(v)the ability of an Indian dam to address tribal, regional, and watershed level flood prevention needs;

(vi)the need to comply with the dam safety policies of the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs established to carry out the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.);

(vii)the ability of the water storage capacity of an Indian dam to be increased to prevent flooding in downstream tribal and nontribal communities; and

(viii)such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to prioritize the use of available funds that are, to the fullest extent practicable, consistent with tribal and user recommendations received pursuant to the consultation and input process under paragraph (4).

(4)(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), before expending funds on an Indian dam pursuant to paragraph (1) and not later than 60 days after December 16, 2016, the Secretary shall—

(i)consult with the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the expenditure of funds;

(ii)ensure that the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs advises the Indian tribe that has jurisdiction over the land on which a dam eligible to receive funding under paragraph (2) is located on the expenditure of funds; and

(iii)solicit and consider the input, comments, and recommendations of the landowners served by the Indian dam.

(B)If the Secretary determines that an emergency circumstance exists with respect to an Indian dam, subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to that Indian dam.

(5)(A)Subject to subparagraph (B), to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that, for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2030, each Indian dam eligible for funding under paragraph (2) that has critical maintenance needs receives part of the funding under paragraph (1) to address critical maintenance needs.

(B)In allocating amounts under paragraph (1)(B), in addition to considering the funding priorities described in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall give priority to Indian dams eligible for funding under paragraph (2) that serve—

(i)more than 1 Indian tribe within an Indian reservation; or

(ii)highly populated Indian communities, as determined by the Secretary.

(C)(i)Subject to clause (ii), in allocating amounts under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall allocate not more than $10,000,000 to any individual dam described in paragraph (2) during any consecutive 3-year period.

(ii)Notwithstanding the cap described in clause (i), if the full amount under paragraph (1)(B) cannot be fully allocated to eligible Indian dams because the costs of the remaining activities authorized in paragraph (1)(B) of an Indian dam would exceed the cap described in clause (i), the Secretary may allocate the remaining funds to eligible Indian dams in accordance with this subsection.

(D)Any amounts made available under this paragraph shall be nonreimbursable.

(E)The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) shall apply to activities carried out under this paragraph.

(d)(1)(A)The Secretary of the Interior shall establish within the Bureau of Indian Affairs the Tribal Safety of Dams Committee (referred to in this paragraph as the “Committee”).

(B)(i)The Committee shall be composed of 15 members, of whom—

(I)11 shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from among individuals who, to the maximum extent practicable, have knowledge and expertise in dam safety issues and flood prevention and mitigation, of whom not less than 1 shall be a member of an Indian tribe in each of the Bureau of Indian Affairs regions of—

(aa)the Northwest Region;

(bb)the Pacific Region;

(cc)the Western Region;

(dd)the Navajo Region;

(ee)the Southwest Region;

(ff)the Rocky Mountain Region;

(gg)the Great Plans 22 So in original. Probably should be “Plains”. Region; and

(hh)the Midwest Region;

(II)2 shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from among employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs who have knowledge and expertise in dam safety issues and flood prevention and mitigation;

(III)1 shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from among employees of the Bureau of Reclamation who have knowledge and expertise in dam safety issues and flood prevention and mitigation; and

(IV)1 shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Army from among employees of the Corps of Engineers who have knowledge and expertise in dam safety issues and flood prevention and mitigation.

(ii)The members of the Committee appointed under subclauses (II) and (III) of clause (i) shall be nonvoting members.

(iii)The appointments of the members of the Committee shall be made as soon as practicable after December 16, 2016.

(C)Members shall be appointed for the life of the Committee.

(D)Any vacancy in the Committee shall not affect the powers of the Committee, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(E)Not later than 30 days after the date on which all members of the Committee have been appointed, the Committee shall hold the first meeting.

(F)The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.

(G)A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.

(H)The Committee shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members.

(2)(A)The Committee shall conduct a thorough study of all matters relating to the modernization of the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.).

(B)The Committee shall develop recommendations for legislation to improve the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.).

(C)Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Committee holds the first meeting, the Committee shall submit a report containing a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Committee, together with recommendations for legislation that the Committee considers appropriate, to—

(i)the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; and

(ii)the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

(3)(A)The Committee may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Committee considers appropriate to carry out this paragraph.

(B)(i)The Committee may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Committee considers necessary to carry out this paragraph.

(ii)On request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the head of any Federal department or agency shall furnish information described in clause (i) to the Committee.

(C)The Committee may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

(D)The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.

(4)(A)(i)Each member of the Committee who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Committee.

(ii)Each member of the Committee who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for services as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.

(B)The members of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5 while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Committee.

(C)(i)(I)The Chairperson of the Committee may, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Committee to perform the duties of the Committee.

(II)The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Committee.

(ii)The Chairperson of the Committee may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.

(D)Any Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Committee without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.

(E)The Chairperson of the Committee may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5 at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.

(5)The Committee shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Committee submits the report under paragraph (2)(C).

(6)Of the amounts authorized to be expended from either Fund, $1,000,000 shall be made available from either Fund during fiscal year 2017 to carry out this subsection, to remain available until expended.

(e)(1)The Secretary shall request that, not less frequently than once every 180 days, each Indian tribe submit to the Secretary a report providing an inventory of the dams located on the land of the Indian tribe.

(2)Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing the condition of each dam under the partial or total jurisdiction of the Secretary.

(f)(1)The Secretary shall establish, within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a flood plain management pilot program (referred to in this subsection as the “program”) to provide, at the request of an Indian tribe, guidance to the Indian tribe relating to best practices for the mitigation and prevention of floods, including consultation with the Indian tribe on—

(A)flood plain mapping; or

(B)new construction planning.

(2)The program shall terminate on the date that is 11 years after December 16, 2016.

(3)Of the amounts authorized to be expended from either Fund, $250,000 shall be made available from either Fund during each of fiscal years 2017 through 2026 to carry out this subsection, to remain available until expended.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994, referred to in subsecs. (c)(1)(C), (2)(A)(i), (B)(i), (3)(A)(i), (B)(vi) and (d)(2)(A), (B), is Pub. L. 103–302, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1560, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 3801 of this title and Tables. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2)(A)(iii)(I)(bb), (B)(ii)(I)(bb), (5)(E), is Pub. L. 93–638, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2203, which is classified principally to chapter 46 (§ 5301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, and not as part of the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–270, § 4314(1), substituted “each of fiscal years 2017 through 2030” for “each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023” wherever appearing. Subsec. (b)(1)(F). Pub. L. 115–270, § 4314(2)(A), substituted “

September 30, 2030” for “

September 30, 2023” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (b)(2)(F). Pub. L. 115–270, § 4314(2)(B), substituted “

September 30, 2030” for “

September 30, 2023” in introductory provisions. Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 115–270, § 4314(3)(A), substituted “11 years” for “4 years”. Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 115–270, § 4314(3)(B), substituted “each of fiscal years 2017 through 2026” for “each of fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019”.

§3805 Indian Dam Safety

Summary

Title 25, §3805

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Short Title

Short Title

Amendments

Citations & Metadata