LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION: The Tribal Partnership Program (TPP) conducts planning activities and activities related to study, design, and construction of water resources development projects. Guidance from recent legislation changes delegation of construction authority from Congress to USACE for projects not exceeding $26M Fed; waives cost share requirements for tribes for the first $665k of a study and for project implementation; and includes an ability to pay provision that applies to studies, design, and construction phases. The TPP was established within the Los Angeles District in 2009.
AUTHORIZATION: WRDA 2000 Sec 203; WRDA 2014 Sec 1031; WRDA 2016 Sec 1119 and Sec 1121; WRDA 2022 Sec 8114.
ACTIVITIES FOR FY 2023: Gila River Indian Community Solar Over Canal: Complete final report and execute construction agreement (Project Partnership Agreement).
Watershed Study: coordinate participation of Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe in a new TPP Agreement.
Cahuilla Band of Indians: Complete scoping and execute TPP cost-share agreement
La Posta Band of Mission Indians: Complete scoping and execute TPP cost-share agreement
Augustine Tribe: Continue technical work efforts under Flood Plain Management Services.
FY24 PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Optimal funds could be used to:
Gila River Indian Community Solar Over Canal: Complete project construction.
Watershed Study: Complete Shared Vision Milestone; initiate Recommendations Milestone.
Cahuilla Band of Indians: Alternatives Milestone.
La Posta Band of Mission Indians: Alternatives Milestone.
Tohono O’odham Nation: Continue coordination to pursue a feasibility level study.
Torres Martinez Band of Desert Cahuilla Indians: Continue coordination to pursue a feasibility level study.
Hopi Tribe: Conduct coordination to pursue a study under Planning Assistance to States.
ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION: Issues related to requiring waiver of sovereign immunity, prohibitive cost share requirements, and lack of construction authority were addressed in WRDA 2016. USACE Tribal Nations overview: http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/TribalNations.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
As of: 1 Mar 23 INVESTIGATIONS
Estimated Federal Cost $1,628,000
Estimated Non-Federal Cost $0
Total Estimated Project Cost $1,628,000
Allocation thru FY22 $196,900
President's Budget for FY23 0
Conference Add for FY23 0
Approved IIJA FY23 0
Workplan for FY23 0
President’s Budget for FY24 0
Approved IIJA FY24 TBD
Workplan for FY24 TBD
Balance to Complete After FY24 $1,431,100
CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST: Senators Kelly and Sinema; Representatives: O’Halleran (AZ-01), Gosar (AZ-02), Grijalva (AZ-03), Stanton (04), Vargas (CA-51); Ruiz (CA-36)
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – LOS ANGELES DISTRICT
915 WILSHIRE BLVD., SUITE 1109, LOS ANGELES, CA 90017
http://www.spl.usace.army.mil