Interior News
Interior
NEW ORLEANS — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced at the International Partnering Forum conference in New Orleans today a new five-year offshore wind leasing schedule. The schedule includes up to 12 potential offshore wind energy lease sales through 2028 in various regions across the United States.Secretary Haaland emphasized the administration's commitment to renewable energy projects, stating, "The Biden-Harris administration has built an offshore wind industry from the ground up after years of delay from the previous Administration. As we look toward the...
Interior
Biden-Harris Administration Allocates $37 Million to Clean Up Legacy Pollution in Three States
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior has announced the allocation of $36.9 million in the first phase of formula grant funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri to address legacy pollution.Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri will receive funding to clean up orphaned oil and gas wells in their states. Kentucky is awarded $25 million, Mississippi $6.8 million, and Missouri $5.1 million for this purpose.Secretary Deb Haaland highlighted the impact of this initiative, stating, "President Biden’s Investing in...
Interior
Interior Department Finalizes Rule to Streamline and Modernize Offshore Renewable Energy Development
WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has announced the finalization of updated regulations for renewable energy development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) have collaborated to streamline and modernize regulations, with the aim of reducing costs and increasing certainty for offshore wind projects.Secretary Haaland, speaking at the 2024 International Partnering Forum, expressed her pride in the Interior Department's efforts, stating, "I am so...
Interior
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $70 Million in National Fish Passage Program Projects
SPRINGVILLE, Ala. — The Department of the Interior has announced a significant investment of more than $70 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for 43 projects in 29 states aimed at improving fish passage around outdated or obsolete barriers in rivers and streams. The projects will address climate resilience, enhance recreational opportunities, and boost local economies.Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "President Biden’s Investing in America agenda delivers a once-in-a-generation investment to restore our...
Interior
Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Interagency Effort to Support Tribal Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation and Indian Health Service (IHS) have joined forces to enhance safe drinking water and community sanitation infrastructure projects across Indian Country. The announcement was made at the White House’s Clean Water Summit, with key figures including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brain, Indian Health Service Deputy Director Benjamin Smith, and Yakama Nation Chairman Gerald Lewis in attendance.Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brain...
Interior
Biden-Harris Administration Allocates $140 Million to Address Legacy Pollution and Boost Coal Communities in West Virginia
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus traveled to Morgantown, West Virginia, to announce the allocation of more than $140 million in fiscal year 2023 funding from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The funding aims to address dangerous and polluting abandoned mine lands (AML) in West Virginia, create jobs, and catalyze economic opportunities in coal communities.During the announcement, Dr. Feldgus highlighted the importance of the funding, stating, “There are thousands of miles of streams throughout Appalachia...
Interior
Assistant Secretary Cantor Participates in 124th Flag Day Ceremonies in American Samoa
Assistant Secretary Carmen G. Cantor visited American Samoa this week to participate in the 124th anniversary celebration of Flag Day in the territory. The event, which took place on April 17, commemorates American Samoa's history as a U.S. territory.During her visit, Assistant Secretary Cantor engaged in various activities, including observing performances and parades by local schools and villages, as well as participating in a traditional Ava Ceremony. Additionally, she took the time to visit project sites that had received financial support from the Office of Insular...
Interior
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Critical Action to Protect Alaska Native Subsistence, Lands and Wildlife
On April 19, 2024, the Department of the Interior made crucial decisions to safeguard millions of acres in Alaska, aiming to protect the subsistence economy vital to Alaska Native people and rural communities, preserve essential fish and wildlife habitats, and strike a balance with extractive activities on public lands.Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the administration's dedication to finding a balance between conservation and development, stating, “Today’s announcements underscore our commitment to ensure that places too special to develop remain intact for the...
Interior
Secretary Haaland Protects Sacred, Sensitive Lands in New Mexico
PLACITAS, N.M. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland has signed Public Land Order 7940, safeguarding over 4,200 acres of Bureau of Land Management-managed public lands in the Placitas area. The final mineral withdrawal will protect the scenic integrity, cultural significance, recreational values, and wildlife habitat connectivity of the lands and the surrounding area for the next 50 years."Indigenous communities have called the Placitas area home since time immemorial, with evidence of their presence found from nearly every settlement period of the past 10,000 years,"...
Interior
Secretary Haaland Announces Up To $95 Million for Water Resources and Ecosystem Health
Secretary Deb Haaland announced at the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration in Albuquerque the availability of up to $95 million through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda for projects to bolster water resources, advance ecosystem health, and support resilience in communities facing climate change impacts. Haaland emphasized the importance of nature in the fight against climate change, stating, “Nature is our best ally in the fight against climate change.”Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton expressed the agency's commitment to...
Interior
Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Strategy to Guide Balanced Management, Conservation of Public Lands
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the Department of the Interior, has announced a final rule aimed at guiding the balanced management of America's public lands. The newly finalized Public Lands Rule is designed to enhance the health and resilience of public lands amidst a changing climate, conserve wildlife habitat, facilitate responsible development, and recognize cultural and natural resources on public lands.Secretary Deb Haaland emphasized the importance of this rule, stating, “Today’s final rule helps restore balance to our public lands as we continue using...
Interior
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Mooney Highlights Wildfire Resilience Funding, Native Seed Supply from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda During Georgia Visit
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Joan Mooney visited Georgia to showcase how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is aiding wildland fire management efforts. Mooney emphasized the importance of the collaborative partnership between various organizations in establishing the Georgia Native Seed Network to address the lack of genetically appropriate seeds in the Southeast, which can hinder wildfire recovery and habitat restoration.Mooney stated, "The solutions created through this collaborative partnership will be used to meet...
Interior
Mooney: 'The Heritage Opportunities in Hawaiʻi Program seeks to encourage a tourism model that accurately showcases Native Hawaiian culture and traditions'
Native Hawaiian organizations (NHOs) have been invited to apply for funding through the Heritage Opportunities in Hawaii program. The Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, a division of the US Department of the Interior (DOI), has announced $1 million in funding for this initiative.
Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior distributes more than $350 million to Gulf states
Funds from fiscal year 2023 energy revenues have been allocated to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and their coastal political subdivisions. These funds will enable the recipients to undertake projects related to hurricane protection, coastal restoration, and conservation.
Interior
Department of the Interior names new members of National Indian Gaming Commission
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), a three-member board established in 1988, is dedicated to promoting Tribal economic development and strengthening Tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Tribal lands.
Interior
US Department of the Interior announces newest conservation area in SW Florida
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) has announced the addition of a new unit to the National Wildlife Refuge System: the Everglades to Gulf Conservation Area. Spanning 4 million acres, this conservation area will be managed alongside other units within the wildlife refuge system by the US FWS.
Interior
Proposed FY 2025 budget for U.S. Bureau of Land Management sits at $1.6 billion
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to utilize funds to align with the Biden Administration's climate goals and enhance the management of approximately 245 million acres of public land under its jurisdiction.
Interior
U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands hears about six house resolutions related to federal lands
The resolutions were introduced by representatives from New York, Arizona, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Utah. These house resolutions range in purpose from designating a park as a national commemorative site to conveying land for the expansion of existing cemeteries.
Interior
The Department of the Interior announces milestone in protection of the Colorado River System
Lake Mead, thanks to advancements in hydrology and conservation efforts backed by the Biden-Harris administration's Investing in America agenda, currently holds 1075 feet of water, marking its highest level since 2021. The administration has also unveiled new system conservation agreements that mandate California water entities to conserve up to 399,153 acre-feet of water in Lake Mead through the end of 2026.
Interior
Departments of Justice, Interior release their response to recommendations for missing murdered indigenous people crisis
The Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) responded on March 5 to the recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission, which were released in November 2023. The departments' response addresses resources for law enforcement and investigations, recruitment and retention of law enforcement personnel, as well as data collection and reporting.
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