Option A Task Force and Deputy Attorney Option B Consolidation of major litigative functions into one division under a Deputy Assistant Attorney General.. Summary and Recommendations.. 70 72 74 Summary.. 74 B. C. A. Indian Natural Resource Litigation.. 75 76 76 Recommendations. 80 Implementation... 82 In fall, 1974, Deputy Attorney General Laurence H. Silberman requested that an intra-Departmental task force be organized to conduct a broad review of the way in which the Department discharges its responsibilities toward American Indians. The task force consists of representatives of the eleven units of the Department concerned about Indian-related matters (Civil Rights, Land and Natural Resources, Criminal, and Tax divisions; FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Community Relations Service, LEAA, Office of the Solicitor General, Executive Office for United States Attorneys, and Office of Management and Finance). The task force is chaired by the Office of Policy and Planning. This report summarizes the work of the task force to date, makes recommendations on a number of issues considered up to this point, and identifies other areas requiring further examination. In addition to conducting a review of the Justice Department's responsibilities involving Indians, the task force has provided a forum to coordinate a Departmental response to the increasing number of Indian issues which come before the Attorney General or Deputy Attorney General for policy decisions. In this capacity, the task force has proved to be a helpful vehicle to permit various units of the Department to resolve the many Indian issues which cross divisional lines. The task force has also represented the Department on Indian issues with other agencies as well as in Congressional hearings. |