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TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2002

Computer systems at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Minerals Management Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remain disconnected from the Internet more than three months into a Department of Interior shutdown.

Two key systems that process checks to individual Indian account holders and tribes are hampered as a result. The Integrated Resources Management System (IRMS) has been restarted and can disburse leasing, grazing and per capita checks.

The Minerals Management Service system that processes oil and gas payments has not been turned on. Government attorneys have not asked for permission to restart this system on a temporary basis and instead have written estimated checks to tribes and account holders.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has directed the government to explain why it can't operate the system without a permanent reconnect. A report is due Friday.

The department's main headquarter systems are still down as well.

Get the Story:
Many Interior employees still stuck offline (Government Executive Magazine 3/19)

Relevant Links:
Indian Trust, Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov/indiantrust
Indian Trust: Cobell v. Norton - http://www.indiantrust.com
Trust Reform, NCAI - http://130.94.214.68/main/pages/
issues/other_issues/trust_reform.asp

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