Opinion ID: 172239
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: HUD's interpretation of NAHASDA

Text: Having determined that NAHASDA is ambiguous regarding whether a tribe's jurisdiction is a consideration for IHBG funding, I next would consider whether HUD's interpretation is permissible. Wedelstedt v. Wiley, 477 F.3d 1160, 1165 (10th Cir.2007) (If the statutory scheme involves an ambiguity or silence on the precise question at issue, however, we must next consider whether the agency's interpretation is permissible.). If Congress has explicitly or implicitly delegated authority to an agency, legislative regulations are given controlling weight unless they are arbitrary, capricious, or manifestly contrary to the statute. Nutraceutical Corp. v. Von Eschenbach, 459 F.3d 1033, 1038 (10th Cir.2006) (quotation omitted); Newton v. F.A.A., 457 F.3d 1133, 1136 (10th Cir.2006) ([W]e ordinarily defer to an agency's interpretation of an ambiguous statute that it implements.). HUD's application of the regulations at issue, 24 C.F.R. § 1000.302 and 1000.324, considers a tribe's ability to exercise jurisdiction over an area as part of the IHBG funding formula. As addressed above, I view NAHASDA's inclusion of references to tribal jurisdiction in the funding formula as ambiguous. NAHASDA delegates to HUD to create other relevant factors for the IHBG funding formula. 25 U.S.C. § 4152(b)(3) (Other objectively measurable conditions as the Secretary and the Indian tribes may specify.). By identifying a formula area as limited by a tribe's jurisdiction, the formula area is objectively measurable and is relevant to other portions of the statute that require Indian areas. 25 U.S.C. § 4103(10). In my view, HUD's regulation requiring the tribe to have jurisdiction over an area is a permissible addition, if not a necessary starting point, in identifying a tribe's housing needs and meeting the statutory requirement of providing housing assistance. Because HUD's construction of the statute is permissible, I would defer to its interpretation.