25 U.S.C. § 3115 : US Code - Section 3115: Cooperative agreement between Department of the Interior and Indian tribes

Search 25 U.S.C. § 3115 : US Code - Section 3115: Cooperative agreement between Department of the Interior and Indian tribes

(a) Cooperative agreements
(1) To facilitate the administration of the programs and
activities of the Department of the Interior, the Secretary is
authorized to negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with
Indian tribes to -
(A) engage in cooperative manpower and job training and
development programs,
(B) to develop and publish cooperative environmental education
and natural resource planning materials, and
(C) to perform land and facility improvements, including
forestry and other natural resources protection, fire protection,
reforestation, timber stand improvement, debris removal, and
other activities related to land and natural resource management.
The Secretary may enter into such agreements when the Secretary
determines the public interest will be benefited.
(2) In such cooperative agreements, the Secretary is authorized
to advance or reimburse funds to contractors from any appropriated
funds available for similar kinds of work or by furnishing or
sharing materials, supplies, facilities or equipment without regard
to the provisions of section 3324, title 31, relating to the
advance of public moneys.
(b) Supervision
In any agreement authorized by this section, Indian tribes and
their employees may perform cooperative work under the supervision
of the Department of the Interior in emergencies or otherwise as
mutually agreed to, but shall not be deemed to be Federal employees
other than for purposes of section (!1) 2671 through 2680 of title
28 and section (!1) 8101 through 8193 of title 5.
(c) Savings provision
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the authority
of the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements otherwise
authorized by law.