News and reports from the Department of the Interior.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz concluded a visit to North Carolina, highlighting new investments aimed at creating urban parks, trails, and upgrading existing park infrastructure.

The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service released a report today revealing that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023 contributed a record $55.6 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 415,400 jobs.

Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland concluded a multi-day visit to Washington and Alaska, emphasizing the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to honoring its trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations. The visit underscored support for Indian Country through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

STACYVILLE, Maine — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz concluded a multi-day visit to Maine this weekend, focusing on conservation and preservation efforts through the National Park Service.

WASHINGTON — In another step by the Biden-Harris administration to support the growing momentum across America for a clean energy economy, the Department of the Interior today announced the execution of the nation’s first floating offshore wind energy research lease. The lease area covers less than 15,000 acres located 28 nautical miles offshore Maine on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and could allow for the deployment of up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines capable of generating up to 144 megawatts of renewable energy, as well as many good-paying jobs in local...

President Joe Biden has established the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument as the newest addition to America's national park system. This marks the eighth national park site added during the Biden-Harris administration. The monument aims to preserve historic objects associated with a racially motivated riot in Springfield, Illinois, in 1908, which contributed to significant civil rights advancements, including the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Following the completion of the fifth offshore wind lease sale held during the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior announced results from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s wind energy auction for two lease areas offshore Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The sale resulted in two provisional winners and $92.65 million in winning bids.

The Department of the Interior has announced the allocation of $775 million to 21 states for the cleanup of orphaned oil and gas wells. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which aims to address legacy pollution, create jobs, and mitigate environmental risks. Over $1 billion has already been distributed under this initiative.

The Department of the Interior has announced the establishment of the Willamette Valley Conservation Area in Oregon, marking it as the 572nd unit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed National Wildlife Refuge System. The new 600-acre parcel aims to provide essential protected habitat for threatened and endangered species. This initiative is the fifth new unit established under Secretary Deb Haaland’s leadership and the 15th conservation area in the Refuge System.

ALBUQUERQUE — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland visited New Mexico today to highlight the Biden-Harris administration's efforts in addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crises in Indian Country. The leaders were briefed by representatives of both Departments at the headquarters of the Interior Department’s Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) and held a listening session with the Eight Northern Pueblos, which include Nambé, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos,...

On August 9, 2024, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland affirmed the designation of Independence Creek Preserve in west Texas as the nation’s newest National Natural Landmark. This nearly 20,000-acre Chihuahuan Desert preserve is protected and managed by The Nature Conservancy.

PHOENIX — Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis announced the distribution of $325 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Stateside Assistance Program to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. This marks the largest annual distribution from the program since 1979. Investments from the LWCF support the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative by funding locally led outdoor recreation and conservation projects.

The Department of the Interior announced nearly $7 million through the Indian Youth Services Corps (IYSC) for Indigenous-led conservation projects across the nation. The IYSC, launched by Secretary Deb Haaland in 2022, is a partnership-based program providing education, jobs, and training opportunities to Indigenous youth through conservation projects on public and Tribal lands, and Hawaiian homelands. This funding aims to advance the American Climate Corps, part of the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to empower a diverse generation to address climate issues and join the...

The Department of the Interior has announced a $46.7 million investment through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program to support the redevelopment or creation of 10 local parks across various U.S. cities. The funding will benefit communities in Tucson, Arizona; Porterville, California; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri; New Brunswick, New Jersey; Garner and Raleigh, North Carolina; Cleveland, Ohio; and Houston, Texas.

The Department of the Interior has announced a nearly $105 million investment as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, aimed at enhancing drought resilience through 67 water conservation and efficiency projects nationwide. The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and annual appropriations.