Secretary Zinke Sends Monument Report to the White House

"Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke sent a draft report to the president which included his findings and recommendations on national monuments that were under review as a result of the April 26, 2017 executive order. The report summary can be read here. The extensive 120-day review included more than 60 meetings with hundreds of advocates and opponents of monument designations, tours of monuments conducted over air, foot, car, and horseback (including a virtual tour of a marine monument), and a thorough review of more than 2.4 million public comments submitted to the Department on regulations.gov. Additionally, countless more meetings and conversations between senior Interior officials and local, state, Tribal, and non-government stakeholders including multiple Tribal listening sessions..." 
Interior Department's Monument Report

The Department of the Interior's Final Rule on Offshore Well Control

"On April 14, 2016, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) released final regulations concerning blowout preventer systems and well control for oil and gas operations on the U.S. outer continental shelf. The regulations aim to reduce the risk of an offshore oil or gas blowout that could jeopardize human safety and harm the environment.

The regulations draw on findings about the causes of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Building on previous regulatory reforms implemented after the 2010 spill, the well-control rule contains new requirements for the design, manufacture, repair, maintenance, and testing of offshore well-control equipment, particularly blowout preventers (BOPs), the assemblies of specialized valves installed on a well that are designed to close in the event of an uncontrolled release of oil or gas. A BSEE fact sheet summarizes the rule's requirements..."
Offshore wells

Explore America’s Best-Kept Secret: National Wildlife Refuges

"With free entrance on Sunday, October 11, to celebrate the start of Wildlife Refuge Week, now is the perfect time to visit your closest wildlife refuge! Named for the world-renowned environmentalist, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Maine is a great place to find peace and connect with nature on a quiet stroll, catching glimpses of bird and bunnies in the woods and on the beach. Open in all seasons, the refuge is always welcoming -- but it’s especially amazing in the fall..."
National Wildlife Refuges

The Land and Water Conservation Fund

"Investing in nature is investing in the future. The Land & Water Conservation Fund was created in 1965 to protect the nation's land and heritage for use by all Americans. But without action from Congress, it is set to expire today. If this happens, it will rob local communities of future conservation, historic preservation and recreation opportunities.
 
Explore 5 amazing public lands that were made possible by the Land & Water Conservation Fund...."
Land and Conservation Fund

The Parks Service Just Added Four New National Historic Landmarks

"Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis have announced the addition of four new national historic landmarks. This comes on the heels of President Obama’s decision just a few weeks ago to declare three new national monuments, bringing the total acreage of land he has preserved during his time in office up to 260 million acres.

The four new national historic landmarks were carefully selected for their ability to illuminate the country’s heritage: the Washington Post’s Patricia Sullivan reports that there are only 2,500 national historic landmarks across the entire United States..."

National historic landmarks

Every kid in a park initiative

"From sea to shining sea, our country is home to gorgeous landscapes, vibrant waterways, and historic treasures that all Americans can enjoy. But right now, young people are spending more time in front of screens than outside, and that means they are missing out on valuable opportunities to explore, learn and play in the spectacular outdoor places that belong to all of them.

President Obama is committed to giving every kid the chance to explore America’s great outdoors and unique history. That’s why, today, he launched an Every Kid in a Park initiative, which calls on each of our agencies to help get all children to visit and enjoy the outdoors and inspire a new generation of Americans to experience their country’s unrivaled public lands and waters. Starting in September, every fourth-grader in the Nation will receive an “Every Kid in a Park” pass that’s good for free admission to all of America’s federal lands and waters -- for them and their families -- for a full year..."
Kids in a park

Interior Department Releases Climate and Sustainability Plans

"As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the Department of the Interior today released its plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for climate change impacts such as flooding, sea level rise, severe weather and temperature extremes.

The release of Sustainability Plans and Climate Adaptation Plans by federal agencies coincides with the fifth anniversary of President Obama’s 2009 Executive Order on Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance, which set aggressive energy, climate and environmental targets for agencies..." 
Climate and sustainability

Carbon Storage in U.S. Eastern Ecosystems Helps Counter Greenhouse Gas Emissions

"On the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today released a new report showing that forests, wetlands and farms in the eastern United States naturally store 300 million tons of carbon a year (1,100 million tons of CO2), which is nearly 15 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions EPA estimates the country emits each year or an amount that exceeds and offsets yearly U.S. car emissions..." 
Carbon storage, gas emissions

Ban on Commercial Trade of Ivory as Part of Overall Effort to Combat Poaching, Wildlife Trafficking

"Following today’s[2/11/14] release of the Obama Administration’s National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (The Service) will implement a U.S. ban on commercial trade of elephant ivory. This unprecedented action is in response to the escalating and highly organized wildlife trafficking crime that threatens the survival of the African elephant, rhinoceros and a host of other species around the world..."
Ivory trade ban

Federal Agencies Announce Action Plan to Guide Protection of Indian Sacred Sites

"As part of President Obama’s commitment to honoring a nation-to-nation relationship with Indian Country, four cabinet-level departments today joined the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in releasing an action plan to strengthen the protection of Indian sacred sites and provide greater tribal access to these heritage areas. The interagency plan is required by the Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2012 by the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regarding coordination and collaboration for the protection of sacred sites...
Federal Agencies ..Plan to Guide Protection of Indian Sacred Sites

Interior Designates 27 New National Landmarks

"Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the designation of 26 national historic landmarks and one national natural landmark as places that possess exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Currently there are only 2,527 designated national historic landmarks and 592 national natural landmark sites across the country that bear this national distinction..."
Interior Designates 27 New National Landmarks

National Invasive Species Awareness Week, Feb. 27 - March 3, 2012

"Next week, state, federal, tribal and local officials, along with representatives of private sector and environmental groups, will kick-off a week of events, briefings, and workshops to discuss international, national and regional invasive species issues as part of this year’s National Invasive Species Awareness Week (Feb. 26 – Mar. 3, 2012). The week’s events, coordinated by the National Invasive Species Council, are open to the public.

National Invasive Species Awareness week will highlight efforts to prevent or slow the spread of “invasive species”--species that are both non-native and harmful to the environment, the economy and human health. Asian carp, large constrictor snakes such as the Burmese python in the Everglades, quagga and zebra mussels, wood-boring beetles, kudzu and West Nile Virus are just a few examples of invasive species..."

State of the Birds 2011
"This year’s report provides the nation’s first assessment of the distribution of birds on public lands and helps public agencies identify which species have significant potential for conservation in each habitat. The state of our birds is a measurable indicator of how well we are doing as stewards of our environment. The signal is clear. Greater conservation efforts on public lands and waters are needed to realize the vision of a nation sustained economically and spiritually by abundant natural resources and spectacular wildlife..."

Interior Releases Report Highlighting Impacts of Climate Change to Western Water Resources
"Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released a report that assesses climate change risks and how these risks could impact water operations, hydropower, flood control, and fish and wildlife in the western United States. The report to Congress, prepared by Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, represents the first consistent and coordinated assessment of risks to future water supplies across eight major Reclamation river basins, including the Colorado, Rio Grande and Missouri river basins.

“Water is the lifeblood of our communities, rural and urban economies, and our environment,” said Secretary Salazar, “and small changes in water supplies or the timing of precipitation can have a big impact on all of us. This report provides the foundation for understanding the long-term impacts of climate change on Western water supplies and will help us identify and implement appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies for sustainable water resource management.”

The report, which responds to requirements under the SECURE Water Act of 2009, shows several increased risks to western United States water resources during the 21st century. Specific projections include:

a temperature increase of 5-7 degrees Fahrenheit;
a precipitation increase over the northwestern and north-central portions of the western United States and a decrease over the southwestern and south-central areas;
a decrease for almost all of the April 1st snowpack, a standard benchmark measurement used to project river basin runoff; and
an 8 to 20 percent decrease in average annual stream flow in several river basins, including the Colorado, the Rio Grande, and the San Joaquin...."

2011 Significant Earthquake and News Headlines Archiv
Major earthquakes in 2011 as reported by the Earthquake Hazard Program of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Strategic Plan Provides Blueprint for 21st Century Department
"Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today released the Department’s Strategic Plan for 2011-2016, outlining the Department’s goals for America’s Great Outdoors, commitments to American Indian communities and responsible natural resource development. The five-year plan also emphasizes the Administration’s commitment to stronger science-based decision-making, higher ethical standards for employees as well as greater transparency and accountability to the American public.

“This blueprint provides a vision for a 21st Century Department,” said Salazar, who outlined the plan in remarks to Interior employees at an All-Hands Town Hall at Interior Headquarters. “It sets out mission priorities and guides our investments and allocation of resources for stewardship of America’s Great Outdoors, sustainably managing natural resources and strengthening our nation-to-nation relationship with American Indian Tribes and Native Alaskans. The plan also underscores our focus on enhanced safety for offshore energy development, stronger environmental protection and support for renewable energy technologies.”..."

Salazar Welcomes Second Century Commission Report on Future of National Park System
"Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today commended the members of the National Parks Second Century Commission for their report on the future of the National Park System, which includes a wide range of recommendations for enhancing all aspects of our national parks.

“I applaud the commission for leaving no stone unturned in seeking ways to enhance our National Park System so that we might better honor our nation’s beauty, history and culture, conserve our treasured landscapes and their wildlife, and both inform and inspire the American people,” Salazar said. “The report provides a foundation upon which to build an even brighter future for our already outstanding national parks.”

The National Parks Conservation Association convened the commission, chaired by former U.S. Senators Howard Baker and J. Bennett Johnston, to produce a comprehensive report on the park system as it nears its 100th anniversary in 2016 and begins a second century.

The commission consists of nearly 30 national leaders, experts and thinkers drawn from a broad range of backgrounds, including scientists, historians, conservationists, academics, business leaders, policy experts, and retired National Park Service officials.

In its report, entitled “Advancing the National Park Idea,” the panel said that the National Park System is at a crossroads, facing challenges such as urgent environmental problems, a burgeoning population and critical needs in education. It called for a new vision recognizing the interrelationships between human beings and the natural world and the need for a sustainable relationship between people and the planet..."
Full Advancing the National Park Idea available here

Salazar Launches DOI Climate Change Response Strategy
"Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today launched the Department of the Interior’s first-ever coordinated strategy to address current and future impacts of climate change on America’s land, water, ocean, fish, wildlife, and cultural resources.

“Across the country, Americans are experiencing first-hand the impacts of climate change, from growing pressure on water supplies to more intense droughts and fires to rampant bark beetle infestations,” said Salazar. “Because Interior manages one-fifth of our nation’s landmass and 1.7 billion acres on the Outer Continental Shelf, it is imperative that we tackle these impacts of a failed and outdated energy policy. This secretarial order is another milestone in our continuing effort to change how Interior does business to respond to the energy and climate challenges of our time.”

The secretarial order signed today at Interior’s command center establishes a framework through which Interior bureaus will coordinate climate change science and resource management strategies.."

Federal Wetlands Mapping Standard Approved
"Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the adoption of a Wetlands Mapping Standard that provides minimum requirements and guidelines for wetlands mapping efforts. The new standard is designed to guide current and future wetlands digital mapping projects and enhance the overall quality and consistency of wetlands data. Quality data on wetlands are considered critical for planning effective conservation strategies to benefit fish and wildlife resources now and in the future..."
View full document Wetlands Mapping Standards

National Geological Carbon Capture Program Can Help Develop Cleaner Energy, Reduce Greenhouse Gases
" Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today sent Congress his recommendations for a national program to help reduce greenhouse gases by selecting appropriate underground geological formations on public lands to inject and store carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and other carbon-dioxide producing facilities.

The Interior report, prepared by the Bureau of Land Management with assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy, recommends criteria for identifying potential sites for geological carbon sequestration and a proposed regulatory framework for leasing these public lands. It also discusses an array of issues that are being addressed, including environmental protection, public participation, rights-of-way and federal liability..."

View full report,Framework for Geological Carbon Sequestration on Public Land,