---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 3801"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "3801"
heading: "Findings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/3801"
units:
  - "Chapter 40 — Indian Dams Safety"
---

# §3801. Findings


The Congress finds that—

- (1) the [Secretary](/usc/25/3802.md?p=3) of the Interior has identified 53 [dams](/usc/25/3802.md?p=2) on Indian lands that present a threat to human life in the event of a failure;
- (2) because of inadequate attention in the past to problems stemming from structural deficiencies and regular maintenance requirements for [dams](/usc/25/3802.md?p=2) operated by the [Bureau](/usc/25/3802.md?p=1) of Indian Affairs, unsafe [Bureau](/usc/25/3802.md?p=1) [dams](/usc/25/3802.md?p=2) continue to pose an imminent threat to people and property;
- (3) many [Bureau](/usc/25/3802.md?p=1) [dams](/usc/25/3802.md?p=2) have maintenance deficiencies regardless of their current safety condition classification and the deficiencies must be corrected to avoid future threats to human life and property;
- (4) safe working [dams](/usc/25/3802.md?p=2) on Indian lands are necessary to supply irrigation water, to provide flood control, to provide water for municipal, industrial, domestic, livestock, and recreation uses, and for fish and wildlife habitats; and
- (5) it is necessary to institute a regular [dam](/usc/25/3802.md?p=2) maintenance and repair program, utilizing the expertise in the [Bureau](/usc/25/3802.md?p=1), [Indian tribes](/usc/25/3802.md?p=4), and other Federal agencies.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 103–302, § 2, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1560.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title

Pub. L. 103–302, § 1, Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1560, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Indian Dams Safety Act of 1994’.”