A new Bureau of Indian Affairs Agency has been established at Hoquiam, Washington, to serve nine Indian tribes located on the Olympic Peninsula, Assistant Secretary --Indian Affairs, Forrest J Gerard announced today.
Gerard said the new agency will more effectively meet the increasing tribal requests for services to Olympic Peninsula reservations and will improve Bureau performance in meeting responsibilities under the provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638).
In the past the Western Washington Agency, located in Everett Washington, has served 21 tribes in its geographic jurisdiction. Under the change announced today the Western Washington Agency will be renamed the Puget Sound Agency and will continue to serve 12 tribes in the Puget Sound Area. The agency in Hoquiam will be called the Olympic Peninsula Agency.
Gerard said the formation of the new agency will not result in any increase in personnel costs or space management and will result in a reduction in travel costs. He also said the reductions, through decreased personnel time in travel, will result in increased staff time in program management and services.
Prior to the establishment of the Olympic Peninsula Agency the BIA had maintained a sub-agency in Hoquiam and most of the personnel who will staff .the new agency already are located there.
