25 CFR § 170.461 - May a Tribe approve plans, specifications, and estimates?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t25/s170.461"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "25 CFR § 170.461 - May a Tribe approve plans, specifications, and estimates?"
title_number: 25
title_name: "Indians"
section_number: "170.461"
section_name: "May a Tribe approve plans, specifications, and estimates?"
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "H"
subchapter_name: "LAND AND WATER"
part_number: "170"
part_name: "TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Pub. L. 112-141, Pub. L. 114-94; 5 U.S.C. 2; 23 U.S.C. 201, 202; 25 U.S.C. 2, 9."
regulatory_source: "81 FR 78463, Nov. 7, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "170"
---


# 170.461 May a Tribe approve plans, specifications, and estimates?

An Indian Tribal government may approve plans, specifications and estimates and commence road and bridge construction with funds made available from the TTP through a self-determination contract, self-governance agreement, Program Agreement or other appropriate agreement, developed in accordance with 23 U.S.C. 202(b)(6) & (b)(7), if the Indian Tribal government:

(a) Provides assurances in the contract or agreement that the construction will meet or exceed applicable health and safety standards;

(b) Obtains advance review of the plans and specifications from a State-licensed civil engineer that has certified that the plans and specifications meet or exceed the applicable health and safety standards;

(c) Provides a copy of the certification under paragraph (a) of this section to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs, Department of Transportation, or the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs, DOI, as appropriate; and

(d) Provides a copy of all project documentation identified in § 170.460 to BIA or FHWA before the start of construction.