President requests $140.4 million for OST

WASHINGTON – The President’s fiscal year (FY) 2017 budget request for the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians (OST) underscores the Administration’s support for meeting Federal trust responsibilities to Native Americans and ensuring that OST will be able to fully carry out its responsibilities to Indian trust beneficiaries in FY 2017.

“This is a smart, innovative and forward-looking budget that invests in Interior’s key missions – now and in the future – so we can continue to serve the American people,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “The President’s budget provides targeted investments to create economic opportunities by growing our domestic energy portfolio, building climate resilient communities, and revitalizing America’s national parks as we mark their 100th anniversary.  Consistent with the President’s abiding commitment to Indian Country, this budget provides critical support for Tribal self-determination and economic advancement.”

“OST is the premiere public service organization dedicated to the Indian fiduciary trust,” said Special Trustee Vincent Logan. “This carefully crafted, modest budget allows us to continue to provide consistent, effective, and ever-improving service to Indian trust beneficiaries.”

The FY 2017 budget request of $140.4 million is $1.4 million above the FY 2016 enacted level and increases funding to OST’s Field Operations, Business Management, Program Management, Appraisal Services, and Trust Services offices.  It decreases funding to the organization’s Office of Historical Trust Accounting reflecting an anticipated workload decrease.  These adjustments will allow OST to expand financial empowerment support to its beneficiaries, address a critical shortage of licensed Native American asset appraisers, and make strategic investments in its workforce.

In the 20 years since its establishment, OST has worked to restore confidence in trust management and serve as a responsible steward of resources. Its progress was demonstrated most recently when, for the third year running, it received a "clean" audit, demonstrating that OST conscientiously upholds its fiduciary duty with accuracy and accountability. Achievements such as this, along with the investments included in the FY 2017 budget, will position OST to continue to provide exemplary service to its beneficiaries and value to the taxpayers.

The President’s FY 2017 budget request of $13.4 billion for the Department of the Interior reflects his commitment to meet Federal trust responsibilities to Native Americans, conserve vital national landscapes across the Nation, support the next century of our National Park Service, and responsible management of energy development on public lands and offshore areas. The Budget in Brief is online: www.doi.gov/budget and www.doi.gov/budget/2017/Hilites/toc.html.