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Assistant Secretary of the Interior Eddie F. Brown today announced approval of historic agreements giving five Indian Tribes greatly increased authority in the budgeting and spending of federal funds for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) programs. "This is a major step toward giving tribal governments full authority and responsibility for governing their reservations," according to Brown, assistant secretary for Indian Affairs. "These agreements are historic for these tribes and for the BIA."

The tribes are the Quinault Indian Nation, Taholah, Wash.; Lummi Indian Nation, Bellingham, Wash.; Jamestown Klallam Indian Tribe, Sequim, Wash.; Hoopa Valley Indian Tribe of Hoopa, Calif.; and the Cherokee Nation of Tahlequah, Okla. Brown signed the three-year agreements as part of a self-governance demonstration project authorized under a 1988 law. "The tribes will assume the responsibility for budgeting and spending most BIA funds being spent on their behalf at the agency, area and central office levels. The tribes will also have the ability to operate programs with minimal regulation and record-keeping requirements and will have the ability to shift funds between programs. These agreements reflect the dynamism of tribal governments as they establish new relationships with the Bureau that transfer the administration of BIA programs to themselves. I congratulate those tribes for their desire to move out front in this big step," Brown added.

Terms of the agreements allow the five tribes to administer and redesign existing BIA programs according to tribal priorities and to receive direct funding from BIA's annual budget appropriations. Under the terms of the authorizing legislation, a total of 20 tribes can participate in the demonstration project. William Bettenberg, an assistant to Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan, acted as Interior's chief negotiator with the · Indian tribes.

"I was impressed with the level of sophistication of the tribes," Bettenberg said. "I found all of the tribes interested not only in their individual demonstration program but also in the viability of the self-governance concept. They all want the demonstration to succeed and to use the agreements and their performance to 'showcase' the viability of this new approach." While the agreements with the five tribes are similar in format, they differ somewhat in the specific programs and funds that are being transferred to the tribes and those that the United States is retaining. The agreements provide adequate audit and recordkeeping provisions, and exclude funds for programs that are specifically restricted. Authorizing legislation also required that the Secretary of the Interior not "waive, modify or diminish in any way the trust responsibility of the United States." Each agreement provides for the Secretary to monitor trust resources to insure that they are protected.

Other key provisions of the agreements include program consolidation, program flexibility and redesign, program standards or rules, and the effect of current regulations. Essentially, each tribe starts with the program rules currently in place but is then given broad flexibility to establish its own standards and to shift resources based on its own priorities and procedures. An expedited process is provided for securing waivers of Federal regulations. The demonstration projects will be monitored over the next several years to document changes in program direction and performance. The total funds to be administered by the five tribes for fiscal year 1991 beginning on October 1 when the agreements become effective are: Quinault, $3.9 million; Lummi, $2.2 million; Hoopa Valley, $2.0 million; Jamestown Klallam, $687,000; and Cherokee, $6.1 million. New annual funding agreements will be negotiated for the two remaining fiscal years of the agreement. If at any time a tribe decides that it does not want to continue to administer any, or all, of the programs, it may retrocede the programs and funding to the Department.

The agreement with the Cherokees will have the effect of eliminating the BIA agency office. In the case of the other four tribes, some programs at both the area and agency levels are assumed but, since those tribes are served by multi-tribe agencies, no agency offices would be eliminated at this time. It is estimated that the changes will result in the elimination of 20-30 full-time BIA positions.

Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan announced today that he is directing the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) to issue a renewable 5-year permit for the Kayenta coal mine on Indian land in northeastern Arizona Lujan will defer a permit decision on the adjoining Black Mesa mine pending the analysis of additional information on water resource impacts In addition Lujan has ordered a study of alternatives to the use of the existing slurry-pipeline to transport coal

"Because the tribes depend heavily on the N-aquifer for their municipal water, I am invoking my Indian trust responsibility for the Navajo and Hopi tribes to delay a decision on the Black Mesa mine permit Lujan said

The mines are operated by Peabody Coal Company, on tribal land, using coal resources leased from the Navajo and Hopi tribes. OSM Director Harry Snyder said, "Peabody's lease agreements with the tribes provide for additional study of such impacts, and further review of the Black Mesa permit application is appropriate once that information is available. Therefore, we will not be making a decision to approve or deny the Black Mesa portion of Peabody's permit application at this time." Snyder noted that the Black Mesa portion of the permit decision was pending completion of additional water resource studies. The tribes and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressed concern over the impact of groundwater withdrawals for slurry-pipeline transport of Black Mesa coal. By contrast, coal from the Kayenta mine is transported by rail.

Navajo and Hopi concerns about the N-aquifer were raised during OSM's consultations with both tribes regarding Peabody's permit application. EPA's comments were received in response to the OSM environmental impact statement (EIS) on the application.

"The conclusions both in the EIS and in the cumulative hydrologic impact assessment regarding impacts on the N-aquifer are technically valid," Snyder said. "Nevertheless, postponing a decision on the Black Mesa is a prudent move pending the analysis of additional information on the subject"

Approval of the Kayenta portion of the permit application authorizes surface coal mining and reclamation operations. Approximately 10,341 acres will be disturbed and then reclaimed. During the 5-year term of the permit, Peabody Coal Company will mine about 7 million tons of coal per year for delivery by rail.

OSM was established in the Interior Department under authority of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. OSM administers national standards requiring environmental protection during coal mining and land reclamation afterward, and reclaim abandoned mine lands. The agency provides support and oversight for approved state surface mine regulatory and reclamation programs, and directly carries out such activities on Indian lands, including issuing permits and regularly inspecting surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan today announced proposed guidelines to govern future decisions on the granting of trust status for off-reservation lands acquired by Indian tribes

11 Many tribes are seeking to acquire land outside of their historic reservations to improve their prospects for economic development, and Interior has proposed a new policy to guide the acquisition process," Lujan said in remarks prepared for the Western Governors' Association in Fargo, North Dakota.

The Secretary said proposed new acquisition rules include the following:

-- An economic development plan must be submitted by the tribes, specifying how the land will be used;

-- A consultation process with local, city, county and state governments to resolve possible conflicts over zoning, taxation and other jurisdictional issues;

-- A limitation that tribes may acquire trust land only in states where they already own trust land.

"We have proposed additional guidelines relating to Indian trust acquisitions for gaming purposes: Regulations that would require tribes to explore economic alternatives to gaming, and a requirement that any gaming establishment must meet all local safety and health ordinances," Lujan said.

"Assist ant Secretary - Indian Affairs Eddie Brown and I look forward to working with tribal governments and all of you as we consider these guidelines," Lujan told the Governors. "I'm certain these proposed regulations will strengthen the economic development of Indian communities as we help pave the road to self-determination for all American Indians."

Lujan said the proposed guidelines are in keeping with the Interior Department's commitment to encourage and support Indian tribes in their efforts to develop economically and to strengthen tribal sovereignty.

The Secretary directed Interior officials to work on the guidelines because of the many requests that have been made by Indian tribes to have off-reservation land approved for federal trust status. A number of these requests involve land in or near large municipalities where tribes propose operating bingo or other gaming enterprises.

Lujan said he expects a newly established Indian Gaming Commission headed by Tony Hope to be II at full speed" by October.

The Secretary also noted that the Interior Department is working with Indian tribal governments in a demonstration program of self-governance and self-determination.

"This month, as part of our efforts to help tribes establish economic independence, the Bureau of Indian Affairs increased tribal authority over the federal funds they receive, 11 Lujan said. 11 Now, six western tribes have control over more than $15 million in federal funding. This is an impressive step forward for these ambitious Americans. 11 The tribes in Washington, California, Oklahoma and Minnesota will have the authority to establish budgeting procedures and shift federal resources based on changing tribal needs.

Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Eddie F. Brown today announced a national line officers meeting of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to discuss the future role of the Bureau in working with Indian tribal governments. The meeting of BIA line officers, the first since 1988, will be held July 23-25 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

"I believe the 1990s will be a decade of substantial change in the relationship of the BIA and tribal governments as those governments continue to assume greater control over their own affairs and programs currently managed by the Bureau," Brown said. "Our meeting theme: 'New Directions; Challenges and Opportunities,' is appropriate as we plan for the future role of the Bureau in assisting the tribal governments to take full authority and responsibility for governing their reservations."

The two and one-half day meeting will focus on the major policy directions for the 1990s to develop a new partnership with tribal governments; the legal challenges and legislative opportunities; development and protection of natural resources; and a joint presentation with the Indian Health Service on child protection.

These issues will be presented in a series of panel discussions, addresses and workshops. Nora Garcia, chairperson of the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona and chairperson of the Fort Mojave Tribe, will open the session at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 23. Brown's keynote address will follow. Others addressing the conference include Vernon Masayesva, chairman of the Hopi Tribe; Levi Pesata, president of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe; Wendell Chino, president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe; and Bill Anoatubby, chief of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.

In attendance at the meeting will be the 84 BIA superintendents and field office heads, 43 education program administrators and agency superintendents, 12 area directors, and Brown's top professional staff in Washington, D.C. Brown will hold a ·press conference at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24 at the Embassy Suites, 5001 North Scottsdale Rd., site of the conference, to discuss the new measures taken by the Bureau to prevent child abuse in Bureau-funded schools.

Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan and Secretary of Energy James D. Watkins have signed an agreement committing their departments to a cooperative program to improve the teaching of science, mathematics computer science and other technical subjects in American Indian elementary and secondary schools in New Mexico and Arizona.

"Historically, Indians have been under-represented in scientific and technical careers," Lujan noted. "Under this agreement, we will encourage young people in this minority group to pursue these careers, and will provide them greatly broadened educational opportunities in cutting-edge science."

"This agreement enables our departments to reach a special group of students and teachers, as we work to attain the National Education Goals established by President Bush and the Nation's Governors following the Education Summit," Watkins said. "The Department of Energy will provide technical expertise, research experiences and the loan of equipment," Watkins continued, "while Interior will assist us in implementing this program in American Indian schools."

Under the memorandum of understanding, scientific and technical personnel at the Department of Energy's Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories in New Mexico will serve as science consultants to schools funded by Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. They will also bring students and teachers to the laboratories for hands-on science experiences, provide career counseling and mentoring, as well as lend scientific and technical equipment to the schools.

Interior will coordinate these efforts with the schools, including consultation with tribes; select pilot sites in three Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) agencies; assist in selecting sites for the second year of the program; identify schools for the long-term loan of instructional and scientific equipment, and coordinate DOE involvement in other math and science programs sponsored by the BIA.

Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan today met with leaders of six Indian tribes to recognize "a new chapter giving form and substance to the concept of tribal self-determination." Lujan welcomed the tribal leaders to his office for a ceremony recognizing agreements that give them greatly increased authority in the budgeting and spending of federal funds for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) programs.

Earlier this month Interior announced the agreements with the Quinault Indian Nation, Taholah, Wash.; Lummi Indian Nation, Bellingham, Wash.; Jamestown Klallam Indian Tribe, Sequim, Wash.; Hoopa Valley Indian Tribe, Hoopa, Calif.; Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, Okla., and Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa, Onamia, Minn.

"These self-governance agreements are a pilot project, but they reflect far more than that," Lujan said. "They reflect the new vigor and drive for more direct control that characterize tribal governments today." Calling upon the BIA to be strongly supportive of the tribal governments involved in the pilot program, Lujan announced that he has signed a Secretarial Order creating a Self-Governance Demonstration Project Council reporting directly to the Secretary.

"This Council will provide oversight and guidance for the implementation and maintenance of these agreements," Lujan said. "The establishment of this Council reflects my intention to work with these pioneering tribal governments exploring a new path to tribal self-determination."

The self-governance agreements become effective with the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 1991. The funds to be administered by the tribes for the first year are: Quinault, $3.9 million; Lummi, $2.2 million; Hoopa Valley, $2.0 million; Jamestown Klallam, $687,000; Cherokee, $6.1 million; and Mille Lacs Band, $267,210. New annual funding agreements will be negotiated for the two remaining fiscal years of the agreements.

Interior Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Eddie F. Brown today announced the appointment of L. W. (Bill) Collier as Area Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs' (BIA) Anadarko Area Office in Anadarko, Okla. "We are fortunate to have someone with the talents and field experiences of a Bill Collier to take over this important position," Brown said. "His 13 years of experience at the agency and area level of working directly with tribal governments is most important in a time when BIA is moving from a direct service provider to one of technical assistance. Collier is well-equipped to work closely with tribes as they assume more and more of the responsibilities previously administered by BIA."

Since 1985 Collier has been serving as assistant area director for Indian Programs in BIA's Aberdeen, S.D., area office. He joined the Bureau in 1974 as a field supervisor/enumerator in Flagstaff, Ariz. In 1977 Collier began a two-year assignment as a superintendent intern in the Phoenix area office and took his first superintendent's job in 1979 at the Unitah and Ouray Agency in Fort Duchesne, Utah. From 1983 to 1985 he was superintendent at the Wind River Agency in Fort Washakie, Wyo., before becoming assistant area director in Aberdeen. Collier is a native of Tahlequah, Okla., where he is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. He attended Central State University in Edmond, Okla., from 1965 to 1966 and has a B.A. in history from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967 to 1972.

Anadarko is one of 12 BIA area offices that together provide services to more than 500 Indian tribes and Alaska Native groups. As area director in Anadarko, Collier will be responsible for providing services to 18 Indian tribes in western Oklahoma, four in Kansas, and two in Texas. In his new position, Collier becomes a member of the senior Executive Service. collier is married to the former Johanna Barnebee. They have three children and will reside in the Anadarko area.

Interior's Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Eddie F. Brown today announced the appointment of Niles c. Cesar as Area Director, Juneau Area Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in Juneau, Alaska. "I am particularly pleased that Niles Cesar has joined us to manage the Juneau Area Office," Brown said. "Alaska issues are critically important, and Mr. Cesar's stature and experience will be of immense help to us." Cesar's appointment as Area Director begins September 23, 1990.

Brown noted Cesar's long and successful experience in a Native American service organization. "As the Bureau of Indian Affairs restructures itself to meet the challenges of the 1990's and the 21st Century, it is important to tap the talent of creative individuals such as Niles Cesar, who have leadership experience in Native organizations and tribal governments," Brown observed. "It is from tribal governments and tribal organizations that leadership on Indian issues in the future will originate."

Cesar, 49, a member of the Tlingit Tribe from Southeast Alaska, has a long record of service to Alaska communities. Currently, he is President of the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Corporation (SEARHC). SEARHC is one of the largest Native American administered health care delivery systems in the United States, providing care to over 10,000 rural Alaskans.

In addition, Cesar was a member of the Sealaska Board of Directors, and a Council member of the Tlingit Haida Community Council. He has served as chairman of the Board of Directors of Goldbelt Inc., and chairman of the Association of Regional health Directors of Alaska. After retirin9 from the Navy as a Lieutenant, Cesar completed a B.S. degree in Environmental Health from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. prior to assuming his duties with SEARHC.

Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan today announced that a National Tribal Leaders Conference will be held September 28, 1990, in Albuquerque, N.M.

"This conference will focus on the tribal/federal partnership in expanding self-determination for American Indians and where we think it is headed in the future.” Lujan said. "Those of us in the federal government who have major responsibilities in Indian Affairs will explain our fundamental principles and approach to Indian Policy and administration of the federal trust responsibility. This will provide a unique opportunity for these tribal leaders to meet key people at the Departmental and bureau level who are involved in Indian affairs and talk about the future. It is the first such conference in modern times.” Invitations have been sent to elected tribal chairmen, presidents of inter-tribal councils and leaders of national Indian organizations.

Lujan will open the conference with the keynote address. Other speakers will include Dr. Eddie Brown, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs; Thomas Sansonetti, Solicitor of the Department; Lou Gallegos, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget; Tim Glidden, Counselor to the Secretary, and other Department officials. In the afternoon, four group meetings will be held focusing on Budget, Legal/Trust responsibilities, Bureau of Indian Affairs restructuring and Self-Determination/New Federalism. The conference will conclude with a general session to discuss questions developed at the group meetings. "If we are to build a future, we must have joint participation in the construction process," Brown said in letters of invitation to tribal leaders. "Only through this approach can we successfully develop policies supportive of self-determination and a stronger government-to-government relationship that forms the key to a successful American Indian future."

Reporters planning to cover the National Tribal Leaders Conference:

The conference will be at the Four Seasons Hotel, 2500 Carlisle N.E., Albuquerque, N.M. (505) 888-3311. Information Officers Eric Rehmann and Carl Shaw are scheduled to be present to provide any help needed. As indicated on the following agenda, a press availability will follow the conference.

David J. Matheson, an enrolled member of the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe of Plummer, Idaho, and its former chairman, has been named Director of the Office of Construction Management in the Department of the Interior.

"We are fortunate to have someone with the talents and capabilities that Dave has to fill this important position," Lou Gallegos, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget, said. "He has served an important role in my office for the past nine months and his dedication to excellence will serve him well in his new job." Since February, Matheson has served as a special assistant to Gallegos in Interior's Office of Financial Management. Prior to his government service, he was chief executive officer of the Coeur d'Alene Development Corporation in Plummer, Idaho. From 1985 to 1989 he served in the same position with Puyallup International, Inc., Tacoma, Washington. Beginning in 1981, he served for four years as elected chairman of Coeur d'Alene tribal government.

Matheson, 38, is a native of Plummer. He obtained a B.A. in 1974 from the University of Washington, and an M.B.A. from the same University in 1989. In his new position, Matheson will be responsible for developing policy to improve Interior's. Bureau of Indian Affairs facilities management programs, which consist of construction projects and the operation and maintenance of more than 3,400 government-owned buildings in 16 states. Matheson and his wife, Jenny, have five children and reside in Falls Church, Virginia.