[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 131 (Friday, July 8, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40388-40389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing 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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