FYI...

Jill L Schneider
USGS - Alaska Technical Data Unit
907-786-7457
[log in to unmask]
http://alaskaminerals.wr.usgs.gov
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Department of Interior Press Release



            New Court Order Grants Interior Department Limited
                            Access to Internet
 Interior Agencies with safety and emergency related responsibilities are
                 allowed to reconnect to Internet service

     Washington - The U.S. Department of the Interior was today granted
permission by U.S. District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth to reconnect the
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Fire Information Center (NIFC)
to the Internet, following an emergency hearing held this morning.

     "We appreciate Judge Lamberth's decision to hear our emergency motion
for partial relief and we will comply with his order," said Interior
Secretary Gale Norton.

     Judge Lamberth's order authorizes the department to reconnect to the
Internet information technology systems that no longer house or provide
access to individual Indian trust data.  The department is required to file
verifying affidavitis for each agency that is reconnected to the Internet.
Additionally, with the exception of USGS and NIFC, 24 hours notice of a
reconnection must be provided to the court's special master and to
plaintiff's counsel.

     USGS, which has now disconnected any access, will reconnect to the
Internet today and provide verification on Monday, December 10.   NIFC,
also disconnected, will connect as soon as possible.

     "It is important for public health and safety reasons that these two
entities get back on the Internet as quickly as possible," Norton said.

     USGS is responsible for issuing disaster warnings for earthquakes,
volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, tsunami (tidal wave) or geomagnetic
storm.  These warning systems rely on Internet access.  The bureau is also
actively involved in homeland security.  NIFC, which is housed in Idaho,
operates a highly sophisticated fire protection system and relies on the
Internet for communication with other fire agencies.

     Deputy Secretary Steve Griles will continue to work with the
department's information technology office and other Interior bureau to
determine whether they meet criteria for reconnecting to the Internet.

     Attorneys for Interior and the Department of Justice requested today's
emergency hearing citing the potentially severe impacts following
implementation of a December 5 Temporary Restraining Order to immediately
disconnect from the Internet all Interior agencies' information technology
systems and all computers that house or provide access to individual Indian
trust data.

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