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USACE Authorities

Collapse All Expand All
Expand List item 13407Collapse List item 13407  Individually Authorized Studies and Projects
Expand List item 13406Collapse List item 13406  International and Interagency Support (IIS)
Expand List item 13408Collapse List item 13408  Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP)
Expand List item 13405Collapse List item 13405  Planning Assistance to States and Tribes Program (Section 22)
Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (amended by Section 2013 [Tribal Assistance] of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007): The Corps can provide technical planning services to assist a Tribe or state in the creation of a comprehensive water resources strategy for developing, using, and conserving water and related land resources.

Expand List item 13409Collapse List item 13409  Regulatory Program
Expand List item 13404Collapse List item 13404  Tribal Partnership Program (Section 203) 
Expand List item 18739Collapse List item 18739  WRRDA 2014, Sect. 1031(b) Authority

Contact Us

Michelle Larson, Tribal Liaison
Michelle.j.larson@usace.army.mil
(916) 906-2913

Tina Somenek, Tribal Liaison
Tina.M.Somenek@usace.army.mil

Sacramento District Tribal Program

The Tribal Program implements the Department of Defense American Indian/Alaska Native Policy and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tribal Policy Principles. We acknowledge the wisdom that tribes bring to the table and how our programs, projects and activities are enhanced by their input.

The primary goals of our program are:
(1) To consult with tribes that may be affected by USACE projects or policies and
(2) To reach out and partner with tribes on water resources projects.

In Sacramento District’s eight-state area of responsibility, there are more than 90 federally recognized tribes and many more non-federally recognized tribes. The district works with tribes to be successful in our mission to serve the nation. USACE has a unique trust relationship with each tribe based on the U.S. Constitution, treaties, statutes, court decisions and executive orders. This trust relationship requires USACE to protect and preserve tribal resources to the greatest extent possible.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tribal Policy Principles

TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognizes that tribal governments are sovereign entities, with rights to set their own priorities, develop and manage tribal and trust resources, and be involved in federal decisions or activities which have the potential to affect these rights. Tribes retain inherent powers of self-government.

TRUST RESPONSIBILITY - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will work to meet trust obligations, protect trust resources, and obtain tribal views of trust and treaty responsibilities or actions related to the Corps, in accordance with provisions of treaties, laws and executive orders as well as principles lodged in the Constitution of the United States.

GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT RELATIONS - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will ensure that tribal chairs/leaders meet with Corps commanders/leaders and recognize that, as governments, tribes have the right to be treated with appropriate respect and dignity, in accordance with principles of self-determination.

PRE-DECISIONAL AND HONEST CONSULTATION - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will reach out, through designated points of contact, to involve Tribes in collaborative processes designed to ensure information exchange, consideration of disparate viewpoints before and during decision making, and utilize fair and impartial dispute resolution mechanisms.

SELF RELIANCE, CAPACITY BUILDING, AND GROWTH - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will search for ways to involve tribes in programs, projects and other activities that build economic capacity and foster abilities to manage tribal resources while preserving cultural identities.

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will act to fulfill obligations to preserve and protect trust resources, comply with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and ensure reasonable access to sacred sites in accordance with published and easily accessible guidance.

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