The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday issued an administrative stay of a ruling that requires the Interior Department to notify Indian beneficiaries of failures in trust management.

The stay was issued to give the appeals court more time to review the July 12 ruling from U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth. In a 34-page decision, he blasted the government for failing to live up to its trust responsibilities and ordered Interior to provided notices that acknowledge this record.

The Bush administration filed a notice of appeal and a motion for emergency stay on Monday. Attorneys for Interior Secretary Gale Norton claim that providing the notices to Indian beneficiaries will harm them rather than help them make decisions.

In a one-page per curiam order, the D.C. Circuit noted that its administrative stay is not based on the merits.

Appeals Court Order:
Cobell v. Norton (July 28, 2005)

Lamberth Decision:
Cobell v. Norton (July 12, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm

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