[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40388-40389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17139]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Establishment of the Commission on Indian Trust Administration
and Reform
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice and request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior is announcing the establishment
of the Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform
(Commission). The purpose of the Commission is to provide advice and
recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) regarding
trust management. This includes a thorough evaluation of the existing
management and administration of the trust administration system to
support a reasoned and factually based set of options for potential
management improvements. This further includes a review of the manner
in which the Department audits the management of the trust
administration system, including the possible need for audits of
management of trust assets.
The Department of the Interior is seeking nominations for
individuals to be considered as Commission members. Nominations should
describe and document the proposed member's qualifications for
membership to the Commission, and include a resume listing their name,
title, address, telephone, e-mail, and fax number.
DATES: Written nominations must be received by August 8, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send nominations to: Meghan Conklin, Associate Deputy
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, 1849 C Street, NW., Mailstop 7328,
Washington, DC 20240; (202) 273-0394.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meghan Conklin, Associate Deputy
Secretary, Office of the Secretary, 1849 C Street, NW., Mailstop 7328,
Washington, DC 20240; (202) 273-0394.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. Appendix.
2, and with the concurrence of the General Services Administration, the
Department of the Interior is announcing the establishment of the
Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform. The Commission is
in the public interest in connection with the responsibilities of the
Department of the Interior under Section 2 of the Reorganization Plan
No. 3 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1262), as amended, the American Indian Trust
Fund Management Reform Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 4001-4061, and the Claims
Resettlement Act of 2010, Public Law 111-291.
The Commission will conduct its operations in accordance with the
provisions of the FACA. It will report to the Secretary of the Interior
through the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). The Office of the
Secretary will provide administrative and logistical support to the
Commission.
The duties of the Commission shall include: (1) Conducting a
comprehensive evaluation of the Department's management and
administration of the trust administration system, including a review
of the report of a management consultant hired in accordance with
Secretarial Order 3292; (2) reviewing the Department's provision of
services to trust beneficiaries; (3) reviewing input from the public,
interested parties, and trust beneficiaries, which should involve
conducting a number of regional listening sessions; (4) considering the
nature and scope of necessary audits of the Department's trust
administration system; (5) recommending options to the Secretary to
improve the Department's management and administration of the trust
administration system based on information obtained from these
activities, including whether any legislative or regulatory changes are
necessary to permanently implement such improvements; and (6)
recommending options to the Secretary on the need for and scope of
audits on the effectiveness of all management reforms implemented as a
result of Secretarial Order 3292 and the Department shall consider
these recommendations in performing an audit of the effectiveness of
such reforms; and (7) considering the provisions of the American Indian
Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994 providing for the termination
of the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, and making
recommendations to the Secretary regarding any such termination.
Following the solicitation of nominations and in consultation with
trust beneficiaries, the Secretary shall appoint the Commission Chair
and four members who, collectively, shall have experience and/or
expertise in trust management, financial management, asset management,
natural resource management, Federal agency operations and budgets, as
well as experience as account holders and in Indian Country.
Members will be appointed as special Government employees and are
required to file on an annual basis a Confidential Financial Disclosure
Report.
[[Page 40389]]
No individual who is currently registered as a Federal lobbyist is
eligible to serve as a member of the Committee.
The Committee will meet approximately 2-4 times annually, and at
such times as designated by the DFO.
Members of the Commission will serve without compensation. However,
while away from their homes or regular places of business, Commission
and subcommittee members engaged in Commission, or subcommittee
business, approved by the DFO, may be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as
persons employed intermittently in Government service under Section
5703 of Title 5 of the United States Code.
Certification Statement: I hereby certify that the establishment of
the Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform is necessary,
is in the public interest and is established under the authority of the
Secretary of the Interior, Department of the Interior under Section 2
of the Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1262), as amended,
the American Indian Trust Fund Management Reform Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C.
4001-4061, and the Claims Resolution Act of 2010, Public Law 111-291.
Dated: July 1, 2011.
Ken Salazar,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2011-17139 Filed 7-7-11; 8:45 am]
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