OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION & ENFORCEMENT
For release June 15, 1992
Jerry Childress (202) 208-2719

OSM DONATES COMPUTERS, SOFTWARE TO INDIAN AND WASHINGTON, D.C.,
AREA SCHOOLS

Harry M. Snyder, Director of the Interior Department's Office of
Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), today announced
plans to transfer surplus OSM computer equipment and software to
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Indian Schools and to public high
schools in Washington, D.C.

The first shipment of hardware, consisting of personal computers,
monitors, and printers, was sent to Eastern Navajo Agency schools
in Crown Point, New Mexico, during the week of May 25, 1992.
Cardozo and Spingarn High Schools, Washington, D.C., have already
received 206 pieces of usable software no longer needed by OSM.

"As a result of upgrading office computer systems as our needs
changed, we were left with many surplus computers, monitors,
printers, and software packages," Snyder said. "We contacted BIA to
discuss donating the computers to the Indian schools as a way to
participate in one of Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan's
major stewardship goals -- to improve educational opportunities for
Native Americans."

"Both BIA and OSM are enthusiastic about this program," Snyder
said. "The Indian schools get equipment they need to augment
educational opportunities for Indian students, and we can lawfully
dispose of equipment we no longer need."

According to OSM Assistant Director Nancy Garrett, OSM's property
inventory included surpluses of 24 printers, 22 monitors, and 17
computer u_ruts, all in working condition, which will eventually be
transferred to Indian schools identified by BIA. Inventories
underway at OSM field offices nationwide also may provide
additional equipment for the transfer program.

"Even though the equipment is somewhat outdated for government
office use, it will still serve a very useful educational purpose
in teaching students how to use computers," Garrett said. "We were
very specific about having the computers go solely for student
use," she added.

Software packages, which include different kinds of programs for
word processing and other applications, were donated to the
Washington, D.C., schools. OSM is presently identifying additional
surplus computer software from all its headquarters and field
offices for donation to BIA schools or other public schools around
the country.

The Office of Surface Mining administers national standards
requiting environmental protection during coal mining and land
reclamation afterward, and OSM reclaims abandoned mine lands.  The
agency provides support and oversight for approved State regulatory
and reclamation programs, and directly carries out such activities
on Federal and Indian lands. OSM was established in the Interior
Department under authority of the Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act of 1977.

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