News and reports from the Department of the Interior.

A summer 2023 project to improve the Sprague Lake Boardwalk has wrapped up and the Boardwalk is now open for visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park to use.

Reclamation announced the competition on Oct. 20, and noted that there are two stages: hindcast, which challenges participants to predict past water conditions; as well as forecast, which will challenge them to predict water supply for winter and spring 2024.

The Indian Lakes Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corral in Fallon, Nev., will open to the public for tours on Oct. 27. There will be two tours given, with a limit of 20 individuals per tour, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The tours last two hours and registration is required to attend.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies announced the results of a 2022 survey conducted to find out how many U.S. residents participated in outdoor activities.

Seventy four individuals from 42 different countries became naturalized American Citizens on Oct. 5, with a ceremony organized and put on by the U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Bureau of Reclamation selects Alan Heck to fill the position of manager of Klamath Basin area office, after he served in the acting manager position since January.

For those who cannot attend in person, the Southern Oregon Resource Advisory Council will provide a way for the public to attend virtually. Public comment is only happening on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Tribal fish hatcheries are set to receive a significant boost in support with a $10 million investment from the Biden-Harris Administration. The funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, will expand the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Fish Hatchery Maintenance program, allowing federally-recognized tribes to obtain competitive grants to improve their fish hatchery facilities.

After more than two years, Tommy Beaudreau has announced he is leaving the Deputy Secretary position at the Department of the Interior. He has been involved with the U.S. Department of the Interior for almost a decade, according to an Oct. 4 press release.

The naming of public lands holds significant importance, as it shapes our collective identity and impacts future generations. Recently, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that Mount Evans in Eastern Colorado will be renamed Mount Blue Sky. This decision came after a thorough process that involved consultations with various stakeholders, including tribal governments.

The John Day-Snake Resource Advisory Council (JDSRAC) has announced that it will hold its regular business meeting on October 19 and 20 in Maupin, Oregon. The meeting will take place at the Maupin Civic Center and will provide an opportunity for public comment each day. The specific time allotted for public comment will depend on the number of individuals who wish to speak.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced over $40 million in funding to support collaborative partnerships aimed at protecting endangered species in the United States. These grants, provided through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF), will assist state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies in their efforts to conserve imperiled species and their habitats. The funding will be used for land acquisition and conservation planning projects covering more than 7,200 acres of habitat for 65 listed and at-risk species.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced nearly $3.5 million in funding for eight Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) projects. The IYSC program aims to provide vocational skills training and career development opportunities for Native youth while also contributing to the protection and conservation of natural and cultural resources. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland believes that by providing early and frequent access to nature, the program can help foster the next generation of Indigenous land stewards.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced a $5 million-plus investment in mapping critical minerals and mineral resources. The USGS and Florida Geological Survey will identify potential sources of quartz sand, limestone and gravel to be used in reinforcement of structures to withstand hurricanes or to rebuild afterward.

West Nile Virus Detected in Dead Crow Found at Fire Island National Seashore