Contact: John Wright 202/208-6416

For Immediate Release: August 8, 1995

Secretary Babbitt Implements Reorganization of Insular Functions at Interior (August 8, 1995)

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt today announced the signing of Secretarial Order 3191, to officiallyimplement the reorganization of insular functions at the Department of the Interior. The reorganization is part ofthe second phase of President Clinton's reinventing government initiative (REGO II).

The changes include the elimination of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs (OTIA), the abolishmentof the OTIA Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary positions, and the redirection of line authorityfor insular issues to the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget.

As a result of the Department's streamlining efforts, staff assigned to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities forinsular areas was reduced from 45 to 25 employees. The reorganization also reduces the number of insular fieldoffices from five to two.

"This reorganization recognizes the insular areas' progress toward greater self-government," Babbitt said. "It alsoensures that the Department will be able to meet its continuing responsibilities for policy coordination andfinancial oversight."

Insular appropriations average $350 million annually with nearly $2 billion in current and future mandatoryfunding. Additionally, the Secretary is responsible for developing and coordinating the federal government'spolicies for the insular areas.

The following personnel changes involving assignments to insular activities becomes effective immediately:

Leslie Turner, former Assistant Secretary for Territorial and International Affairs, assumes duties as Counselorto the Secretary and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs;

Allen Stayman, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Territorial and International Affairs, becomes the Directorof the Office of Insular Affairs; and Danny Aranza, former Special Assistant for territories, becomes the DeputyDirector of the Office of Insular Affairs.

As part of the Clinton Administration's National Performance Review, OTIA reexamined its activities to identifyprograms and functions that could be consolidated, reorganized or eliminated. Secretary Babbitt accepted staffrecommendations to abolish OTIA, January 27, 1995. The Congressional Appropriations Committees approvedthe Department's proposal in April.

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