Bureau of Indian Affairs' Participation in a Proposed Hydroelectric Facility at Kootenai Falls, MT
RCED-84-126
Published: Jul 11, 1984. Publicly Released: Aug 09, 1984.
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Highlights
The Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has an agreement with a group of electric cooperatives to pay up to 10.5 percent of the costs of determining the feasibility of, and obtaining a license for, constructing and operating a hydroelectric power generating facility at Kootenai Falls, Montana. Within BIA, the Flathead Indian Reservation Irrigation and Power Project has responsibility for administering the agreement. Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed BIA participation in the venture to determine whether federal funds were properly spent.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to report to congressional appropriations committees all reprogramming actions and the total funds made available for funding the BIA share of Kootenai Falls feasibility study and license application costs. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to terminate the use of Flathead power system revenues for Kootenai Falls feasibility study and license application costs. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to reimburse the Flathead power project revenues from an available appropriation account or seek a deficiency appropriation from Congress for that purpose. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Interior | If Interior's Solicitor determines that it is in the government's and the Flathead Indian Reservation's best interests for BIA to continue its participation in the Kootenai Falls venture, the Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to develop and present to Congress funding proposals for continued BIA participation. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should direct the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to ensure that the financial management system at the Flathead Indian Reservation Irrigation and Power Project complies with the Comptroller General's internal control standard requiring adequately trained and experienced personnel. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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Topics
Appropriated fundsElectric power generationFinancial managementHydroelectric powerplantsIndian affairs legislationInternal controlsLitigationReporting requirementsReprogramming of appropriated fundsIrrigation project