FROM THE ARCHIVE

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Interior puts 'skeleton' web site back up
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2001

The Department of Interior has placed a trimmed-down version of its main web site back online.

The site, like a number of others at the department, had been shut down since last Thursday in response to a federal judge's concerns about malicious access to the trust assets of 300,000 American Indians. Although U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth's order only affected individual Indian trust data, Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles directed a department-wide disconnect from the Internet.

Slowly, the department has been restoring network services at various agencies, bureaus and offices. However, no Bureau of Indian Affairs systems are yet back online, potentially delaying general assistance payments to tribes and other monies to individual Indians.

Lamberth said this afternoon he will take up the issue tomorrow.

Although the Interior has placed its site back online, access is slow and subject to timeouts. Users may find it difficult to download two EDS Corporation reports about trust reform.

The two EDS reports on trust reform have been placed on the Indianz.Com server for readers' convenience should access to http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust/index.html be spotty.

Get the Reports:
DOI Trust Reform Observations and Recommendations: “For Comments” Report (12/6)
TAAMS / BIA Data Cleanup Interim Report and Roadmap (11/12)

Today on Indianz.Com:
Confusion, conflict detailed at Interior (12/12)
Exclusive: Trust reform assessment (12/12)
Attorneys barred from BITAM consultation (12/12)
Coverage of Contempt Trial, Day 2 (12/12)
Editorial: Still ripping off Indians (12/12)

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