The Minerals Management Service is cutting back on the role played a committee of tribal and state auditors.

The State and Tribal Royalty Audit Committee normally meets three to four times a year. But the MMS says the group will only convene once a year to perform audit and compliance work on federal and Indian leases.

Advocates say the Bush administration is retaliating because some committee members have raised concerns about royalties due to tribal and state governments. Some tribes and states believe they may have been shortchanged billions of dollars.

Get the Story:
Minerals Management Service to streamline audit meetings (Indian Country Today 9/8)

Relevant Links:
Minerals Management Service - http://www.mms.gov

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