An attorney for the Cobell plaintiffs criticized the Bush administration's proposals to end federal management of the Indian trust and force the consolidation of the Indian land base.

Dennis Gingold, a Washington, D.C., attorney said the changes are unacceptable. "It is simply one more act of bad faith and part of an obvious scheme to kill any reasonable legislation that could have resolved this case," he told the Associated Press.

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Monday circulated a "briefing paper" that outlined a dramatic proposal to end federal management of the tribal and individual Indian land base within 10 years. Staffers are holding a series of meetings across the country to solicit input from Indian Country.

Get the Story:
End proposed to government oversight of Indian trust lands (AP 10/27) $ad1 Briefing Paper:
NEWLY PROPOSED PROVISIONS FOR SENATE BILL 1439 THE INDIAN TRUST REFORM ACT (SCIA 10/23)

Press Release:
ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION MEETINGS TO BE HELD ON S.1439 (SCIA 10/19)

Relevant Documents:
Staff Draft of Cobell Settlement Bill (Posted by ITMA)

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Statement:
INDIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE POSTPONES CONSIDERATION OF TRUST REFORM LEGISLATION (August 2, 2006)

Indian Trust Reform Act:
S.1439 | H.R.4322

Relevant Links:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee - http://indian.senate.gov
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Kempthorne - http://www.indiantrust.com
Office of Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Cobell v. Norton, Department of Justice - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/cobell/index.htm

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