WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of the Interior (DOI) is continuing its schedule of presentations to employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) on the reorganization of both agencies. This week, employees of the Pacific and Eastern Regions will be briefed on June 18, 2003, in Sacramento, Calif., and Nashville, Tenn. Briefings for Colorado-area employees will take place on June 19 in Lakewood, Colo. The Department is seeking to increase accountability and efficiency in its trust management functions by reorganizing the agencies that manage Indian trust funds and assets. Presentations are being held this month at the Bureau's 12 regional offices and other locations around the nation.

Employees will be briefed on the Department's plan for reorganization of the BIA and OST, and on the Comprehensive Trust Management Plan (CTMP) at morning sessions on Wednesday and in an afternoon session on Thursday. The CTMP describes how the new BIA and OST organizational structures will improve the delivery of trust services when the reorganization is completed. Tribal leaders from each region will also be briefed on the reorganization effort in subsequent sessions.

In 2002, the Department and the Tribes together undertook an ambitious effort to change the way the BIA and OST deliver trust and non-trust services to Tribes, tribal service populations and trust beneficiaries. The Plan is based on agreements reached with the Joint Tribal Leaders/DOI Task Force established by Secretary Gale Norton to examine and recommend proposals for improving service delivery to recipients and beneficiaries.

WHO: U.S. Department of the Interior

WHAT: Departmental presentations on the reorganization of the BIA and OST to
Pacific and Eastern Region, Colorado-area Federal employees.

WHEN: Pacific Region: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 (all start times are local time):
Sacramento, California
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization
10:00 a.m.: DOI officials' availability for press interviews and photo ops

Eastern Region: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 (all start times are local time):
Nashville, Tennessee
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization
10:00 a.m.: DOI officials' availability for press interviews and photo ops

Colorado-area: Thursday, June 19, 2003 (all start times are local time):
Lakewood, Colorado
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Presentation of BIA/OST reorganization
2:30 p.m. - DOI officials' availability for press interviews and photo ops

WHERE: Pacific Region: Sacramento (June 18)
DoubletreeHotel, 2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, Calif., (916) 929-8855.

Eastern Region: Nashville (June 18)
Opryland Resort & Convention Center, 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, Tenn.,
(615) 889-1000.

Colorado-area: Lakewood (June 19)
Hampton Inn, 137 Union Blvd., Lakewood, Colo., (303) 969-9900.

CREDENTIALS: Press registration will be provided. Please bring your sanctioned media credentials and if possible, wear on your shirt collar or around your neck for easy viewing. This will assist our staff. Press seating will be provided.