Tribal Nations Overview

The USACE Tribal Nations Program implements the DoD American Indian/Alaska Native Policy and the USACE 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 to consult with Tribes that may be affected by USACE projects or policies and to reach out and partner with Tribes on water resources projects. Additional information regarding these policies can be found here.

Opportunities for Tribes to partner with the Corps of Engineers

The Corps of Engineers has multiple authorities under which it can partner with federally recognized tribes to complete water resource related projects.  More information on Corps authorities can be found here.

Cost Share Waiver for Tribes

For projects that are cost shared under one of our Continuing Authorities Programs or the Tribal Partnership Program with a federally recognized tribe, the first $665k of the project is 'waived' and would be covered by the Corps of Engineers. For projects under $665k this would mean that there is no cost for the tribe.

Any amount over $665k would be cost shared with a tribe. The percentage of the tribal cost share is dependent upon under which authority the project is being completed. Tribal cost share can be in cash or through in–kind services. All projects are dependent on the availability of funding.

The cost share waiver is a waiver of a portion or all of the tribal cost share for a project done in partnership with the Corps of Engineers and is not a grant.

For any questions regarding Corps authorities, opportunities to partner with the Corps of Engineers, or the cost share waiver for federally recognized tribes, please contact the Detroit District Tribal Liaison.

Tribal Section 106 Area of Interest Survey

Federally recognized tribes can, on a voluntary basis, utilize the Tribal Section 106 and Treaty Rights Area of Interest Survey to identify to the Detroit District areas (by county) where they would like to contacted under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for Corps of Engineers projects or permits within the Detroit District civil works and regulatory boundaries. Additionally, tribes can identify treaty areas (by treaty cession number) they are interested in being contacted regarding potential impacts to treaty rights.

Alternatively, a tribe can indicate they have no interests within the Detroit District civil works or regulatory boundaries and do not wish to be contacted any further regarding either topic for projects/permits. A tribe can change their status regarding receiving communication at any time.

The use of the survey is voluntary and is not required to consult with the Detroit District. The responsibility for identifying federally recognized tribes who may have a cultural or historical interest within a project/permit area and identifying federally recognized tribes that may have treaty rights within a project/permit area remains with the Corps of Engineers. 

This survey only covers the Detroit District and its civil works and regulatory programs and does not impact any other interactions a tribe may have with other Corps of Engineers districts regarding their civil works or regulatory programs.

The Corps of Engineers may provide periodic requests for tribes to verify their areas of interest, verify their wish to be contacted or provide any updates. Alternatively, a tribe may request to update their area of interest.

To request access to the survey, to update a tribe’s area of interest or for any questions, please send an email to lre-tribalaoi-poc@usace.army.mil including your name, tribe, email address and phone number for any questions or requests.

 

Contact Us

The Detroit District Tribal Liaison can be reached at 313-226-3510 or lre-tribalaoi-poc@usace.army.mil.

The Tribal Liaison serves as the primary point of contact for federally recognized tribes and the Detroit District and assists in implementing the DOD American Indian/Alaska Native Policy and the USACE Tribal Policy Principles.