[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54489-54490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23627]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians


Tribal Consultation on Participation by the Office of the Special 
Trustee for American Indians in the Department of the Interior 
Consolidation of Agency Appraisal Functions

AGENCY: Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians.

ACTION: Notice of tribal consultation meeting.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office of the Special Trustee 
for American Indians (OST) will conduct consultation meetings to obtain 
oral and written comments concerning potential issues related to 
participation by OST in the Department of the Interior plan to 
consolidate agency appraisal functions.
    On June 19, 2003, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced 
that real estate appraisal functions currently performed by various 
agencies within the Department would be consolidated by September 30, 
2003, in a single office. This action is taken in response to concerns 
about the objectivity and management of appraisal functions carried out 
by several agencies within the Department, and documented in reports 
issued by the Department's Inspector General, the General Accounting 
Office and other groups.
    The goals of a consolidated appraisal organization include: to 
restore public and consumer confidence in land valuations; to ensure 
greater appraiser independence for unbiased valuation services that 
meet the highest professional standards; and a sharing of skills and 
resources throughout the Department. In addition, the consolidation is 
expected to provide better coordination and consistency of appraisal 
guidance, enhanced professional development of appraisers, and greater 
efficiencies in contract monitoring and development.
    Since July 2003, OST has participated in the Departmental action 
team composed of appraisal and realty specialists from affected offices 
within the Department. The action team has been meeting to determine 
the best way to accomplish the consolidation, with as minimal 
disruption to appraisal services as possible. Participation on this 
action team, and additional discussions with the Department, indicate 
that it would be in the best interest of the OST appraisal program to 
join this consolidation. Specific issues unique to the appraisal of 
Indian trust assets as conducted by the OST Office of Appraisal 
Services, and by self-governance and self-determination tribes, 
however, require special consideration. OST is planning tribal 
consultation meetings to discuss these issues.

DATES: All comments are due by November 7, 2003. The meeting dates are 
September 24, 2003 and October 28, 2003 at the times and locations 
listed below.

ADDRESSES: Send or hand-deliver written comments to: Carrie Moore, 
Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians, 1849 C Street, NW., 
Suite 5140, Washington, DC 20240. Submissions by facsimile should be 
sent to (202) 208-7545.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Moore at (202) 208-4866 or Pat 
Gerard at (505) 816-1313.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the consultation is to 
provide Indian tribes and other interested parties with the opportunity 
to comment on issues relevant to OST participation in the the 
Department of the Interior consolidation of bureau and agency appraisal 
programs.
    Two, three-hour blocks of time will be allotted at each meeting for 
Indian tribes and interested parties to comment on this issue. On 
September 24, 2003, the meetings will be held from 9 a.m.-12 p.m., and 
from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
    Hotel information: Hilton Garden Inn--Tulsa Airport, 7728 East 
Virgin Court, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74115, telephone (918) 838-1444.
    Two additional meetings will occur on October 28, 2003 from 9 a.m.-
12 p.m., and from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., in Las Vegas, Nevada.

[[Page 54490]]

    Hotel information: MGM Hotel, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, 
Nevada 89109, telephone (702) 891-1111.
    Individual respondents may request confidentiality. If you wish us 
to withhold your name, street address, and other contact information 
(such as fax or phone number) from public review or from disclosure 
under the Freedom of Information Act, you must state this prominently 
at the beginning of your comment. We will honor your request to the 
extent allowable by law. We will make available for public inspection 
in their entirety all submissions from organizations or businesses, and 
from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials 
of organizations or businesses.
    This notice is published in accordance with the authority delegated 
by the Secretary of the Interior to the Special Trustee for American 
Indians by 209 DM 11.

    Dated: September 8, 2003.
Victor Christiansen,
Acting Director, Budget, Finance and Administration, Office of the 
Special Trustee for American Indians.
[FR Doc. 03-23627 Filed 9-16-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-02-P