[Federal Register: September 17, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 180)]
[Notices]
[Page 54489-54490]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17se03-104]
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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