News and reports from the Department of the Interior.

The Biden-Harris Administration has appointed three new individuals to key positions within the Department of the Interior. These appointments include a special assistant to the assistant secretary for land and minerals management, an advisor for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and a senior counselor in the Bureau of Reclamation.

The U.S. National Park Service (NPS) has recently announced the appointment of Kerry Gonzalez as Chief of Cultural Resource Management for two units of the NPS. In her new role at George Washington Birthplace National Monument and Thomas Stone National Historic Site, Gonzalez will be responsible for a wide range of resources, including historic structures, museum collections, and archaeological assets.

Gia Wagner has been appointed as the acting superintendent through May. Prior to this appointment, she held the position of Superintendent at Andersonville National Historic Site.

The Department of the Interior (DOI) has launched a pilot program aimed at bolstering the capacity of small, remote emergency response agencies. The initiative is supported by $5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) recently declared that Missouri would receive assistance in evaluating almost 5,000 orphaned oil and gas wells. This financial aid is part of the Investing in America initiative.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the signing of a Record of Decision for the Red Devil Mine remediation plan. Over the years, the agency has gathered data, evaluated several options, and held consultations with those who would be affected by this plan.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the appointment of Lohr, who began his tenure this week. In his new role, Lohr will be responsible for overseeing the management of 1.4 million acres of public lands.

The annual event at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site offers visitors an opportunity to explore the historic location and several of its facilities free of charge. The event will be hosted by a historical reenactor portraying First Lady Lucretia Rudolph Garfield.

The Biden-Harris Administration has recently published an updated document outlining a roadmap for solar energy development. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have provided information on milestones achieved over the past year.

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) has unveiled the first Phase 1 formula grant of 2024, an $80 million allocation expected to be part of a series of annual grants totaling nearly $320 million for Texas. The state will be mandated to monitor methane emissions from sealed orphaned wells, assess water impacts in ground and surface water, and conduct clean-up operations for wells located near low-income and Tribal communities.

Last year, the National Park Service (NPS) announced its intention to manage the stray cat population that roams around the San Juan Historic Site. The estimated population of these felines is around 200.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Headwaters Forest Reserve is now home to a newly designated historic site. A townsite and lumber mill, with origins dating back to 1884, have been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places by California’s historic preservation officer last October.

Steve Feldgus has been appointed as the new principal deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management, a position he has been serving in for some time. The Department of the Interior (DOI) also announced two other appointments: the principal deputy director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the Special Assistant to the Senior Counselor.

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) defines a noxious weed as any plant designated by a Federal, State or county government as injurious to public health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or property. Such plants are also characterized by their ability to grow out of place and their resistance to common pest control methods.

Grants amounting to $5.73 million have been awarded to tribes across various states. The grantees are set to receive between $200,000 and $300,000 annually for a span of three years in support of their projects.