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MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2001

Despite promising to consult with tribes and to accept alternative proposals, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton is moving to give her Bureau of Indian Trust Assets Management $300 million in fiscal year 2002 funds.

That has Sens. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the Indian Affairs Committee, telling Norton she should actually consult with tribes before moving forward with her controversial reorganization. The two members are also telling the Senate Appropriations Committee not to blindly approve the reprogramming request, The Denver Post reported.

In a November 20 letter, P. Lynn Scarlett, the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Policy, Management and Budget sent four letters to the House and Senate Appropriations committees. In the letter, she stated the Bush administration would use the $300 million in funds unless otherwise objections or concerns are raised.

The Interior "intend[s] to proceed with this reprogramming unless we hear from you within 30 days," Scarlett told the committees.

The letters were sent to:

• Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Interior subcommittee
• Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), ranking member of the Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee
• Rep. Joe Skeen (R-N.M.), chairman of the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee
• Rep. Norm Dicks (D-Wash.), ranking member of the House Interior Appropriations subcommittee

Sources said Byrd is heeding the Inouye-Campbell warning. Skeen, through an aide, would not comment about the trust fund or the reorganization because of the Cobell litigation.

A long-time critic of efforts to fix the trust fund Dicks is amenable to the overhaul, sources said.

The National Congress of the American Indians has called on Congress to suspend any re-allocation of fiscal year 2002 funds and to deny requests for 2003 monies for BITAM.

Get the Story:
Norton faces 5th contempt charge (The Denver Post 12/9)
The Beltway Notebook: Norton trial sets stage for future Indian trust efforts (The Denver Post 12/9)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://indiantrust.doi.gov
Office of the Special Trustee - http://www.ost.doi.gov
Trust Management Improvement Project - http://www.doi.gov/bia/trust/tmip.htm
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com

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