Senator Dewey F. Bartlett requested a bulldozer for the Cherokee Tribe from the Ozarks Regional Commission in August 1975. The Commission responded that bulldozers were scarce but offered to assist in searching for one. They suggested that the Tribe seek assistance from the BIA Agency as well. Senator Bartlett forwarded the response to Chief Keeler and expressed hope for a satisfactory outcome. The Cherokee Tribe had submitted a list of needed equipment to the Ozarks Regional Commission in May 1975, including the bulldozer, to improve economic conditions for the Indian population in tribal land areas.