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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2001

The halls of the Department of Interior, home to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, have been "fairly quiet" today, as the federal government attempts to return to some sense of normalcy after the worst attack on American soil in history.

"We have some people in the buildings," said spokesperson Stephanie Hanna. "Some people have chosen to work from home."

Secretary Gale Norton was in the building when the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were occurring. She was soon evacuated to a U.S. Geological Survey building in Reston, Virginia, where an office for critical employees had been set up.

There, she worked for the rest of the day, said Hanna. Most other employees began leaving the Interior by 10 am, she added. Today, all other federal employees, were allowed to stay home and take unscheduled leave.

Norton sent a department-wide message to her employees last night.

"I thank each of you for your efforts and cooperation following the tragic events of September 11, 2001," she wrote.  "I ask you to join me in offering thoughts and prayers for each victim and their families."

BIA spokesperson Nedra Darling was on her way to work yesterday as the Pentagon was hit by American Airlines Flight 77. Sixty-four people were on board the aircraft, bound from Washington to Los Angeles, when it smashed into part of the building at about 9:40 am.

"I didn't see it [the Pentagon] hit but I certainly saw the smoke after the impact," she said. "It was pretty awful."

The Interior is expected to be represented by the Department of Justice at a trust fund hearing scheduled for tomorrow. Hanna had no immediate comment about the proceedings.

Whether Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb was in the Interior building at the time of the attacks could not be confirmed as of this morning.

Today on Indianz.Com:
Trust fund trial scheduled (9/12)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com