Title 25, IndiansRelease 119-110
§3805 Indian Dam Safety
Title 25 › CHAPTER 40 — INDIAN DAMS SAFETY › § 3805
Summary
Creates two Treasury funds to pay for fixing and caring for Indian dams. One fund is for high-hazard dams and gets $22,750,000 each year from 2017 through 2030. The other is for low-hazard dams and gets $10,000,000 each year from 2017 through 2030. The money can earn interest, be invested, and is moved in monthly transfers. The funds end on September 30, 2030, and any unused money goes back to the Treasury. Each year the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, and consulting the Secretary of the Army) may spend up to those yearly amounts, plus interest, if Congress approves the spending. Sets up a repair program and rules for using the money. The funds must be used for Indian dams that pose flood or safety risks or that hurt dam operations. At least $22,750,000 a year from the high-hazard fund and $10,000,000 a year from the low-hazard fund must go to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for repairs, following BIA dam-safety rules. Eligible dams are those in the BIA safety program that are federal-owned and BIA-managed or that have BIA-documented deferred maintenance; low-hazard eligibility is fixed as of December 16, 2016. Within 120 days after December 16, 2016, the Secretary must send Congress program goals and a method for choosing which projects get money. Before spending on a dam, the Secretary must consult the BIA Director, notify the tribe with jurisdiction, and get input from landowners (unless there is an emergency). The Secretary should try to give every eligible dam with critical needs some funding each year, give priority to dams serving multiple tribes or large tribal communities, and generally limit funding to $10,000,000 per dam in any 3-year span (with a narrow exception). Funds are nonreimbursable and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act applies. The law also creates a 15-member Tribal Safety of Dams Committee to study and recommend changes to the Indian Dams Safety Act, report within one year of its first meeting, and end 90 days after that report; $1,000,000 is made available in FY2017 for the committee. Tribes must report dam inventories at least every 180 days, and the Secretary must report yearly to Congress on dam conditions. A flood plain management pilot program in the BIA will advise tribes on flood mapping and new construction and runs for 11 years after December 16, 2016, with $250,000 available each year from 2017 through 2026. Definitions (one line each): Dam — structure that holds back water; Fund — the high- or low-hazard fund; High-hazard dam — dam rated high or significant hazard by FEMA rules; Low-hazard dam — dam rated low hazard by FEMA rules; Indian tribe — as defined in law; Secretary — Secretary of the Interior acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, consulting the Secretary of the Army.
Full Legal Text
Title 25, §3805
Indians, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Definitions
In this section: (1) Dam
(2)Fund
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)High hazard potential dam
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)Indian tribe
The term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304 of this title.
(5)Low hazard potential dam
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)Secretary
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)Indian Dam Safety Deferred Maintenance Funds
(1)High-Hazard Fund
(A)Establishment
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)
(ii)any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under subparagraph (D).
(B)Deposits to Fund
(i)In general
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)Availability of amounts
Amounts deposited in the Fund under clause (i) shall be used, subject to appropriation, to carry out this section.
(C)Expenditures from Fund
(i)In general
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)
(II)the amount of interest accrued in the Fund.
(ii)Additional expenditures
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)Investments of amounts
(i)In general
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)Credits to Fund
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)Transfers of amounts
(i)In general
The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this paragraph shall be transferred at least monthly.
(ii)Adjustments
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)Termination
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)Low-Hazard Fund
(A)Establishment
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)
(ii)any interest earned on investment of amounts in the Fund under subparagraph (D).
(B)Deposits to Fund
(i)In general
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)Availability of amounts
Amounts deposited in the Fund under clause (i) shall be used, subject to appropriation, to carry out this section.
(C)Expenditures from Fund
(i)In general
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)
(II)the amount of interest accrued in the Fund.
(ii)Additional expenditures
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)Investments of amounts
(i)In general
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)Credits to Fund
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)Transfers of amounts
(i)In general
The amounts required to be transferred to the Fund under this paragraph shall be transferred at least monthly.
(ii)Adjustments
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)Termination
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)Repair, replacement, and maintenance of certain Indian dams
(1)Program establishment
(A)In general
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)Funding
(i)High-Hazard Fund
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)Low-Hazard Fund
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)Compliance with dam safety policies
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)Eligible dams
(A)High hazard potential dams
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)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)Low hazard potential dams
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
(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.
(3)Requirements and conditions
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)Tribal consultation and user input
(A)In general
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)Emergencies
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)Allocation among dams
(A)In general
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)Priority
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)Cap on funding
(i)In general
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)Exception
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)Basis of funding
Any amounts made available under this paragraph shall be nonreimbursable.
(E)Applicability of ISDEAA
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)Tribal Safety of Dams Committee
(1)Establishment of Committee
(A)Establishment
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)Membership
(i)Composition
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 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)Nonvoting members
The members of the Committee appointed under subclauses (II) and (III) of clause (i) shall be nonvoting members.
(iii)Date
The appointments of the members of the Committee shall be made as soon as practicable after December 16, 2016.
(C)Period of appointment
Members shall be appointed for the life of the Committee.
(D)Vacancies
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)Initial meeting
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)Meetings
The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
(G)Quorum
A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(H)Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
The Committee shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members.
(2)Duties of the committee
(A)Study
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)Recommendations
The Committee shall develop recommendations for legislation to improve the Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.).
(C)Report
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)Powers of the Committee
(A)Hearings
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)Information from Federal agencies
(i)In general
The Committee may secure directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the Committee considers necessary to carry out this paragraph.
(ii)Request
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)Postal services
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)Gifts
The Committee may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
(4)Committee personnel matters
(A)Compensation of members
(i)Non-Federal members
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)Federal members
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)Travel expenses
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)Staff
(i)In general
(I)Appointment
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)Confirmation
The employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Committee.
(ii)Compensation
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)Detail of Government employees
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)Procurement of temporary and intermittent services
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)Termination of the Committee
The Committee shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Committee submits the report under paragraph (2)(C).
(6)Funding
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)Indian dam surveys
(1)Tribal reports
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)BIA reports
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)Flood plain management pilot program
(1)Establishment
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)Termination
The program shall terminate on the date that is 11 years after December 16, 2016.
(3)Funding
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.
Legislative History
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”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
25 U.S.C. § 3805
Title 25, Indians
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110