33 U.S.C. § 467a: Inspection of dams

As soon as practicable, the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, shall carry out a national program of inspection of dams for the purpose of protecting human life and property. All dams in the United States shall be inspected by the Secretary except (1) dams under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation, the Tennessee Valley Authority, or the International Boundary and Water Commission, (2) dams which have been constructed pursuant to licenses issued under the authority of the Federal Power Act [ 16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.], (3) dams which have been inspected within the twelve-month period immediately prior to August 8, 1972 , by a State agency and which the Governor of such State requests be excluded from inspection, and (4) dams which the Secretary of the Army determines do not pose any threat to human life or property. The Secretary may inspect dams which have been licensed under the Federal Power Act upon request of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and dams under the jurisdiction of the International Boundary and Water Commission upon request of such Commission. provide information to the State dam safety agency on the construction, operation, maintenance, condition, or provisions for emergency operations of the dam; or allow any official of the State dam safety agency to participate in the Federal inspection of the dam.