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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002

The Department of Interior has extended, for the third time, the written comment period on the creation of the Bureau of Indian Trust Assets Management (BITAM).

According to a Federal Register Notice published today, the new cutoff date is February 28. But the department anticipates extending the comment period pending further tribal consultation sessions, the document states.

Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb is finalizing dates and locations for three meetings in Billings, Montana; Window Rock, Arizona; and Phoenix, Arizona. These are in addition to an already scheduled session in Portland, Oregon, this Thursday.

Today's notice, which was signed by Deputy Secretary J. Steven Griles, marks the most recent extension of the comment period, largely in response to tribal leaders' requests for more time. The department initially wanted comments in by January 15, a date quickly modified to February 15, and now changed again.

Another notice published today makes a correction to the time of the Portland meeting. It will start at 1 p.m. but will still take place at the Sheraton Hotel.

Get the Notices:
Extension of Comment Period | Correction of Meeting Time

Today on Indianz.Com:
Congress urged to act on failed trust act (2/11)
Norton to testify on new budget (2/11)

Relevant Links:
House Resources Committee - http://resourcescommittee.house.gov
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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