News and reports from the Department of the Interior.

News Release: Queens, N.Y. - On July 1, 2022, Gateway National Recreation Area closed a portion of Bay 1 located at Jacob Riis Park to swimming and water access. Beach erosion has created unsafe conditions along the Bay 1 waters and eastern beach, exposing deteriorating wooden groins and other structures. The exposed structures could be dangerous to swimmers. The closures will be adjusted as necessary but is anticipated to remain in place for the rest of the summer.

News Release: BARTLETT COVE, ALASKA - Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve will close Muir Inlet to vessel traffic during the raising and removal of a 66-foot private vessel beginning at noon on Saturday, July 9, 2022. The M/V Cats N Dawgs sank last week after it began taking on water at about 12:04 PM Friday, July...

News Release: FORT WASHINGTON, Md. - The National Park Service (NPS) has finalized plans for the future of Harmony Hall, a historic site in Prince George’s County, MD. The Harmony Hall Development Concept Plan re-envisions the site as an opportunity to experience and connect with nature, learn about history and enjoy open space and water access. You’re invited to review the plan and attend a virtual public meeting on July 21 to learn more.

News Release: Throughout the month of July, kids and accompanying adults are invited to experience the joys of fishing at Island Ford Pond or Sibley Pond in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. This program offers a safe and easy way to learn about fishing. Children will learn the basic of fishing using cane poles with the guidance of a park ranger.

News Release: Glen Jean, WV -New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Acting Superintendent Jay Newman announces that the parking lot for the Kaymoor Top and Butcher Branch trailheads will be closed Monday, 7/11 through Thursday, July 14 while the lot is being resurfaced. The trailheads will remain open during this time with parking available in the nearby Arrowhead trailhead parking lot.

News Release: VAN BUREN, Mo. - Ozark National Scenic Riverways will be conducting two managed deer hunts in October at Big Spring.

News Release: INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN: Voyageurs National Park is lifting the temporary closure of the Rainy Lake Visitor Center boat launch beginning Friday, July 8, followed by 19 Rainy Lake campsites reopening the following day on Saturday, July 9. Other Rainy Lake campsites in the park remain closed due to flood conditions.

News Release: Heritage Days will return to the North Rim within Grand Canyon National Park. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heritage Days will be held from August 5 through August 7, 2022. Each day, Heritage Days programs will run from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in various locations throughout the North Rim developed area.

News Release: GLENNALLEN, AK - The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Glennallen Field Office today issued a fire prevention order temporarily prohibiting open fires (except within fire rings in established campgrounds), fireworks, exploding targets, and explosives on the public lands it manages in east-central Alaska. The order goes into effect today at 2 p.m. and will last until August 12 or until fire conditions improve and the order is rescinded.

News Release: The Starr Fire (#508), caused by lightning, was discovered on July 7, 2022 burning on the east side of the Muddy River in the northwestern corner of the North Preserve portion of Denali National Park and Preserve. It is currently estimated at 60 acres. This fire is located approximately 40 miles northwest...

News Release: ALAMOGORDO - Over the 4th of July holiday weekend, White Sands’ park rangers initiated a search after locating an unoccupied vehicle in the park. At 11:02 am, Tuesday, July 6, 2022, search and rescue teams discovered a deceased male located off-trail at White Sands National Park.

News Release: Washington -Botanical researchers representing a coalition of more than 10 institutions have discovered an oak tree once thought to be extinct, and now in immediate need of conservation within Big Bend National Park in Texas.

News Release: WASHINGTON - Today, the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Homeland Security through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are announcing the selection of members to the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission.

News Release: ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Alaska today released its revised draft environmental review of ConocoPhillips’ proposed Willow Master Development Plan in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A). The BLM prepared the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS)...

News Release: RICHMOND, Va. - On Friday and Saturday, July 15 and 16, Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, the Black History Museum, and the City of Richmond invite the public to celebrate the life and legacy of Maggie L. Walker and the Jackson Ward community in which she lived. This special event, which is free...