OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT

For release April 15, 1996
Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719
jchildre@osmre.gov

OSM DONATES COMPUTERS, FURNITURE TO WESTERN INDIAN TRIBES

The Interior Department's Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
and Enforcement (OSM) today announced it has transferred more
than $415,000 worth of surplus computer equipment and office
furniture to western Indian tribes.

According to Richard J. Seibel, Director of OSM's Western
Regional Coordinating Center in Denver, Colorado, "the equipment
is intended to help the tribes move toward self governance and
primacy in regulating coal mining on tribal lands, by enabling
them to automate various aspects of their operations." 

"The Energy Policy Act of 1992 gave the Navajo, Hopi, Northern
Cheyenne, and Crow tribes the opportunity to become more involved
in implementing the Surface Mining Act on Indian lands," Seibel
said.  "This surplus equipment should enhance tribal efforts to
help OSM carry out the intent of those Energy Policy Act
amendments to the surface mining law."

The excess equipment resulted from OSM's recent downsizing and
subsequent reduction in staff and office space.  It includes
serviceable computer units, printers, monitors, and furniture
from OSM offices in Denver, Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico;
and Casper, Wyoming, plus 50 computers from OSM's Washington
headquarters.

"Most of the equipment is in good condition and fine working
order, even though it's no longer needed in OSM," Seibel said. 
"It's ready for immediate use."

In addition to the Hopi, Navajo, Northern Cheyenne, and Crow
tribes, the Council of Energy Resources Tribes, and the Southwest
Indian Polytechnic Institute are also beneficiaries of excess
computer equipment from OSM.

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