2009 report final ken salazar

8/9/2019 2009 Report Final Ken Salazar

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TTaabblleeooffCCoonntteennttssLETTERFROMSECRETARYSALAZAR.................................................................4

GREATOUTDOORSAMERICAA21STCENTURYTREASUREDLANDSCAPESAGENDA......................................................................................................7

PROTECTING,PROMOTING,ANDRESTORINGAMERICASTREASUREDNATURALLANDSCAPES...7

PassageofHistoricGreatOutdoorsAmericaTreasuredLandscapesLegislativePackage....7

RestoringOurLandscapesandCreatingJobsthroughtheEconomicRecoveryAct..............9

InvestinginAmericasLandandWaterConservationFund...................................................9

DesignatingNewNationalTrails............................................................................................. 9

DevelopingaNewWaterFlowProtocolforGrandCanyonNationalPark............................9

RenewingtheFederalCommitmenttotheEverglades........................................................10

Renewingthe

Federal

Commitment

to

California's

Bay

Delta

.............................................

10

ProtectingYellowstoneNationalPark.................................................................................. 11

ProtectingGrandCanyonNationalPark............................................................................... 11

ProtectingandRestoringtheChesapeakeBay..................................................................... 11

ProtectingandRestoringtheGreatLakes............................................................................ 11

ProvidingFundingtoRestoreAbandonedCoalMines.........................................................12

RestoringBalancetoOilandGasDevelopmentnearUtahsNationalParks.......................12

CreatingMountaintopMiningRulestoBetterProtectStreams..........................................12

MovingTowardaNewForestManagementStrategyforWesternOregon........................12

RestoringtheKlamathRiverBasin........................................................................................ 13

Purchasing

Critical

Inholdings

...............................................................................................

13

NevadaandLakeTahoeConservationandRestorationProjects........................................13

PROMOTING,PROTECTINGANDRESTORINGAMERICASTREASUREDCULTURALANDHISTORIC

LANDSCAPES........................................................................................................ 14

ReOpeningtheStatueofLibertysCrown........................................................................... 14

MovingForwardontheMartinLutherKing,Jr.Memorial...................................................14

FindingConsensustoMoveForwardontheFlight93NationalMemorial..........................14

CelebratingtheAmericanRevolution................................................................................... 15

RememberingaWorldWarIITragedyatPortChicago........................................................15

TellingAmericasStoryNationalMuseumoftheAmericanLatinoCommission..............15

AwardingGrants

for

Historic

Preservation

...........................................................................

15

PROMOTINGSCIENCEANDPROTECTIONSFORWILDLIFE................................................. 15

RestoringEndangeredSpeciesConsultation........................................................................ 15

CelebratingRestorationoftheEndangeredBrownPelican.................................................16

InvestingARRAFundsforJobsRelatingtoScienceandWildlifeProtection........................16

ProtectingthePolarBear...................................................................................................... 16

ANewPathfortheWildHorseandBurroProgram............................................................. 16


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BattleCreek(California)Restoration.................................................................................... 16

SanJoaquinRiverRestoration.............................................................................................. 17

ProposedInternationalProtectionsforEndangeredSpecies..............................................17

DeListingtheGrayWolfinIdahoandMontana.................................................................. 17

ENERGY

AND

CLIMATE

CHANGE

.....................................................................

18

BUILDINGOURCLEANENERGYECONOMY.................................................................. 18FirstSecretarialOrder:MakingRenewableEnergyaPriorityfortheDepartment.............18

CuttingRedTapeforOnshoreRenewableEnergyDevelopment........................................18

FirstEverSolarFocusonPublicLands.................................................................................. 18

FirstEverStateFederalPartnershiptoDevelopRenewableEnergy...................................18

ExpeditingPowerTransmissiononFederalLands................................................................ 19

CuttingRedTapeforOffshoreRenewableEnergyDevelopment........................................19

LaunchingNewRulesoftheRoadforOffshoreRenewableEnergyDevelopment..........19

PromotingOffshoreWindEnergyDevelopment.................................................................. 19

Creatingan

Atlantic

Region

Offshore

Renewable

Energy

Office

..........................................

20

IncreasingtheRenewableEnergyPotentialofHydropower................................................20

HighlightingtheImportanceofCleanEnergyDevelopment................................................20

RESPONSIBLYDEVELOPINGCONVENTIONALENERGYSOURCES......................................... 20

ApprovingNewOilandGasLeases....................................................................................... 20

ReformingtheManagementofOnshoreOilandGasResources.........................................21

CraftingaMoreOrderlyApproachtoOffshoreOilandGasDevelopment.........................21

PromotingOilShaleResearch............................................................................................... 22

Reviewing11th

HourOilShaleResearchLeaseAddenda.....................................................22

MineralsManagementService(MMS)ManagementReforms............................................22

Terminationof

Royalty

In

Kind

Program

..............................................................................

22

RESPONDINGTOTHEREALITIESOFCLIMATECHANGE..................................................... 23

SecretarialOrderonClimateChange................................................................................... 23

PromotingCarbonSequestrationandStorage..................................................................... 24

JoiningForcesWorldwidetoAddressClimateChangeImpactsonRiverDeltas.................24

CopenhagenClimateSummit............................................................................................... 24

EMPOWERINGNATIVEAMERICAN,ALASKANANDISLANDCOMMUNITIES.............25TheHistoricWhiteHouseTribalNationsConference..........................................................25

SettlingtheLongRunningandContentionsCobellLawsuit................................................25

CreatingJobs

in

Native

American

Communities

through

the

Economic

Recovery

Act

........

26

WorkingwithCongresstoPrioritizeIssuesofConcerntoNativeAmericanCommunities.26

ANewEraforTribalConsultation........................................................................................ 26

InteriorJusticeLawEnforcementWorkingGroup...............................................................27

TribalRecognition................................................................................................................. 27

IndianGamingPolicy............................................................................................................. 27

SigningandImplementingMajorIndianWaterRightsSettlements....................................27

ProtectingSacredAmericanIndianSitesandTreasures......................................................28


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WorkingwithTribestoAddresstheSupremeCourtsCarcieriDecision.............................28PrioritizingtheDevelopmentofRenewableEnergyinIndianCountry................................28

OneStopEnergyShopPilotProject...................................................................................... 29

PromotingHealthInitiativesatIndianSchools..................................................................... 29

PromotingTransparencyinIndianTrustFundOperations..................................................29

RevampingAlaska

Native

Subsistence

Program

...................................................................

29

ANewRelationshipwithIslandCommunities...................................................................... 29

CREATINGOPPORTUNITIESFORAMERICASYOUTHINTHEOUTDOORS................31EducatingOurYouth............................................................................................................. 31

FundingforYouthEmploymentandEducation.................................................................... 31

EmploymentOpportunities.................................................................................................. 31

OfficeofYouth...................................................................................................................... 31

TACKLINGAMERICASWATERCHALLENGES....................................................32CreatingJobsWhileModernizingAmericasWaterInfrastructure......................................32

SustainableWater

Strategy

..................................................................................................

32

BasinStudiesProgram.......................................................................................................... 32

YumaDesaltingPlantPilotRun............................................................................................. 33

HelpingCaliforniaWeathertheDroughtandAddressLongTermWaterSupplyand

EnvironmentalRestorationNeedsforCaliforniasBayDelta...............................................33

CHANGINGHOWTHEDEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORDOESBUSINESS................36EthicsReform........................................................................................................................ 36

ExcellenceandDiversityinInteriorsLeadership................................................................. 36

RestoringtheDepartmentsBudget..................................................................................... 36

QuantifyingInteriorsJobsandEconomicContributions.....................................................37

OpeningGovernment

through

New

Media

Tools

................................................................

37

MakingInformationMoreAccessible................................................................................... 37

FinancialManagementReform............................................................................................ 38

AcquisitionandPropertyManagement................................................................................ 38

ImplementingtheRecoveryActwithOpennessandAccountability...................................38

DEPARTMENTOFTHEINTERIORLEADERSHIP,2010..........................................39

PhotosCourtesyofTamiA.Heilemann(DOI),USFWS,BOR,NPS,USGSandBLM


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GreatSand

Dunes

National

Park

and

Preserve,

Colorado


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LETTERFROMSECRETARYSALAZAR

WhenPresidentBarackObamaaskedmetobecomehis

SecretaryoftheInterior,heaskedmetochangehowthe

Departmentdoesbusinessandhelprestorethetrustofthe

Americanpeopleintheirgovernment.

TheDepartmentoftheInteriorsprogramsandresourcesare

vitaltothehealthoftheU.S.economy,ouridentityasa

people,andtoPresidentObamasvisionforacleanenergy

future. WearethecustodiansofAmericasnatural

landscapes,history,andculture. Wemanageonefifthofthe

Nationslandmass,vastresourcesoffourcoasts,andthe

energyandmineralestatethatbelongstotheAmerican

people. Andwehaveasolemnobligationtoupholdthe

FederalGovernmentsresponsibilitiestoIndiannationsand

advocatefor

Americas

island

communities.

TohelprestorethetrustoftheAmericanpeopleintheproud

workwedoatInterior,wearerestoringethics,transparency,

andtheroleofscienceindecisionmaking. Thesevalues

guidethepolicyreformsIhavebeguntoimplementinfive

priorityareasinthefirstyear. Thesepriorities,whichareconsistentwithPresidentObamas

promiseofdeliveringchange,are:

Creatingacomprehensiveenergyplanthatcreatesjobs,reducesourdependenceonforeignoilandprotectsourchildrenfromthedangersofclimatechange;

Developinga21stCenturyconservationagendathatprotectsAmericasGreatOutdoorsandtreasured

places;

HonoringourtrustresponsibilitiestoAmericanIndiansandAlaskaNativesandservingourislandcommunities;

EngagingAmericasyouth;and TacklingthewaterchallengesfacingourCountry.

In2009,wemadegreatprogressineachoftheseareasandhavebeguntochangehowInteriordoes

business. Forexample,we:

Establishednewethicsstandardsandpolicies; Reviewedandchangedprioractionsharmfultothepublicinterest; Prioritizedtherapid,responsibledevelopmentofrenewableenergyonpubliclandsand

oceans;

Createdanactionplantohelpaddresstherealitiesofclimatechange; Renewedcommitmentsandinitiatedneweffortstoprotectandrestoreourtreasured

natural,culturalandhistoriclandscapes;and

Promotedanew,respectfulrelationshipwiththenationsFirstAmericans.Thisreportsummarizestheseactionsandotherswetookin2009tobringaboutthechangethat

PresidentObamapromisedforourCountry.


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Ourworktogetherhasonlybegun,however. Withtherightpoliciesandrightinvestments,wecan

doevenmoretopowerAmericaseconomicrecovery,createjobshereathome,andpreserve,

protectandrestorethenatural,culturalandhistoricalresourcesthatsetourCountryapart.

Reachingthesegoalswillrequirehardwork,courage,andcommitmenttothevaluesthatmust

guidethestewardshipofAmericasresources.WedonotinherittheEarthfromourancestors,saysafamiliarNativeAmericanproverb,weborrowitfromourchildren.

Maythelessonsofourancestorsinspireustobuildanewfutureforourselvesandourplanet. For

asPresidentObamasaidashewasswornintooffice:theworldhaschanged,andwemustchange

withit. Thatisthepromisehemade. Thatisthepromisewewillkeep.

Sincerely,

KenSalazar


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GREATOUTDOORSAMERICAA21ST

CENTURY

TREASUREDLANDSCAPESAGENDA

PresidentObama

and

Secretary

Salazar

have

abold

agenda

for

protecting

Americas

open

spaces,

treasuredlandscapes,wildlife,andthehistoricandculturalsitesthattellournationsstory.

PROTECTING,PROMOTING,ANDRESTORINGAMERICAS

TREASUREDNATURALLANDSCAPES

PassageofHistoricGreatOutdoorsAmericaTreasuredLandscapesLegislativePackage

LayingthefoundationforhisAdministrations

commitmenttopromotingaGreatOutdoors

Americaagenda,PresidentObamainMarch

signedthe

Omnibus

Public

Land

Management

Actof2009(P.L.11111),themostextensive

expansionoflandandwaterconservationin

morethanageneration. Mostofthoselands

willfallunderthejurisdictionoftheDepartment

oftheInterior.ThePresidentandSecretary

activelysupportedearlypassageofthe

legislationbytheCongressin2009. Thebills

enactmentwasamajorearlylandmark

achievementoftheAdministration. TheAct:

Designatedmorethan2millionacresofnewwilderness,nearlyasmuchasthepreviousAdministrationdesignatedineightyears. Thedesignationsspanninestatesandinclude

RockyMountainNationalParkandDominguezCanyon(CO); Monongahela(WV);Virginia

RidgeandValley(VA);SodaMountain,OregonBadlands,SpringBasin,Mt.Hood,and

CopperSalmon(OR);OwyheeCounty(ID);Sabinoso(NM); EasternSierraandNorthernSan

Gabriel,RiversideCounty,SequoiaKingsCanyon(CA);Zion/WashingtonCounty(UT);and

PicturedRocks(MI).

Addedmorethan1,100milesofriverstotheNationalWildandScenicRiverSysteminsevenstates(Oregon,Idaho,California,Utah,Arizona,Wyoming,andMassachusetts). The

riversinclude387milesontheSnakeRiverinWyoming,and40milesontheTauntonRiver

inMassachusetts.

Wild

and

Scenic

Rivers

designations

preserve

free

flowing

rivers

that

possessoutstandingenvironmental,scenic,andrecreationalfeatures.

AuthorizedthreenewnationalparkunitsPatersonGreatFallsinNewJersey,WilliamJeffersonClintonBirthplaceinArkansas,andRiverRaisinBattlefieldinMichigan.

Createdonenewnationalmonument,thePrehistoricTrackwaysNationalMonumentinNewMexicotoprotecttheworldsmostsignificantEarlyPermiantracksites,whichanimals

PresidentObamaandSecretarySalazaratYellowstoneNP


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predatingdinosaursabout280millionyearsago. NationalMonumentdesignationgives

protectionstoimportantareasthatcontainhistoricalandprehistoricalinterests.

Designatedfournewnationalconservationareas,encompassingmorethan330,000acres. These

includetheDominguezEscalanteNational

ConservationArea(CO);FortStantonSnowyRiver

Cave(NM);andRedCliffsandBeaverDamWash

NationalConservationAreas(UT). National

conservationareasprovideimportantprotections

fromdevelopmentandimproverecreational

opportunitiesforallAmericans. Designatedtwonewnationalrecreationareas,

encompassingmorethan41,800acres,including

MountHoodRecreationArea(OR)andBridgeport

WinterRecreationArea(CA).

Creatednewnationaltrails,addingmorethan2,800milestotheNationalTrailsSystem:theArizonaNationalScenicTrail,theIceAgeFloodsNationalGeologicTrail(WA),thePacific

NorthwestNationalScenicTrail,theWashingtonRochambeauRevolutionaryRouteNational

HistoricTrail,andtheNewEnglandNationalScenicTrail. Additionally,weexpandedthe

TrailofTearsNationalHistoricTrailtoincludenewtrailsegmentsandothercomponents.

TheNationalTrailsSystempreservespublicaccesstohikingtrailsfortheenjoymentand

economicbenefitofall.

Enlargedorauthorizedenlargementoftheboundariesofmorethanadozenexistingnationalparkunits,includingLittleRiverCanyonNationalPreserve(AL);HopewellCulture

NationalHistorical

Park

(OH);

Jean

Lafitte

National

Historical

Park

and

Preserve

(LA);

Minute

ManNationalHistoricalPark(MA);EvergladesNationalPark(FL);KalaupapaNational

HistoricalPark(HI);ThomasEdisonNationalHistoricalPark(NJ);MartinVanBurenNational

HistoricSite(NY);PaloAltoBattlefieldNationalHistoricalParkandFortDavisNational

HistoricalSite(TX).

Established10newnationalheritageareas: SangredeCristo,CacheLaPoudreRiver,SouthPark(CO);NorthernPlains(ND);Baltimore(MD);FreedomsWay(MAandNH);Mississippi

HillsandMississippiDelta(MS);MuscleShoals(AL);andKenaiMountainsTurnagainArm

(AK).

Established

the

26

million

acre

National

Landscape

Conservation

System

(NLCS)

within

the

BureauofLandManagement,codifyingInteriorsadministrativecreationofthesystem.

AuthorizedthreemajorwatersettlementsthataddressthenationsobligationstoNativeAmericans: theSanJoaquinRiverRestorationSettlement(CA),theShoshonePaiuteTribes

ofDuckValleyReservationWaterRightsSettlement(NV),andtheNorthwesternNew

MexicoRuralProjectsandSettlementunderwhich80,000membersoftheNavajoNation

willultimatelyhavecleanrunningwaterforthefirsttimeintheirlives.

SecretarySalazaratthenewDominguez

EscalanteNCAinColorado


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Launchedeffortstoimprovethescientificunderstandingofcriticalwaterresources,includingtheimpactofclimatechangeonwater.

RestoringOurLandscapesandCreatingJobsthroughtheEconomicRecoveryAct

Through

President

Obamas

American

Recovery

and

Reinvestment

Act

of

2009,

Interior

is

investing

morethan$1billiontoconserveAmerica'stimelesstreasuresourstunningnaturallandscapes,our

monumentstoliberty,theiconsofourcultureandheritagewhilehelpingworkingfamiliesand

communitiesprosperagain.Interiorsinvestmentsincludeanhistoric$750millionforourNational

ParkSystemtohelppreserveandprotectnationaliconsandhistoriclandscapes,improveenergy

efficiencyandrenewableenergyuseatparkunitsthroughoutthenation,improveroadsformore

than275millionvisitors,remediateabandonedminesitesonparkunits,andprovidehistoric

preservationfundingtoprotectand

restorebuildingsathistoricallyblack

colleges. Interiorhastargetedmore

than750projectsatsomeofthe

nationsmostrecognizable

monumentsand

landmarks

to

receivestimulusfunds.

Inaddition,theBureauofLand

Managementisinvesting$305

milliontorestorelandscapes,clean

upabandonedmines,protect

wildlifehabitat,reducetheriskof

wildfire,andexpanditscapacityto

authorizerenewableenergy

developmentonpubliclands.

InvestinginAmericasLandandWaterConservationFund

PresidentObamas2010budgetprotectsopenspaces,forestsandwildlifehabitatbyproviding$450

millionfromtheLandandWaterConservationFund(LWCF)forkeyconservationandland

acquisitionprogramsintheDepartmentsofAgricultureandtheInterior. Thisisa48percent

increaseoverthe2009levelandputtheAdministrationontracktoreachafullyfunded$900

millioninLWCFfunding.

DesignatingNewNationalTrails

SecretarySalazardesignated23trailsin13statesasnewlyrecognizedNationalRecreationTrails,

addingmorethan525milesoftrailstotheNationalTrailsSystem. ThenewtrailsincludeHughS.

BranyonBackcountry

Trail

(AL);

San

Jose

Trail

Network

(CA);

Morain

Hills

Trail

System

(IL);

Pioneer

NatureTrail(KS);PittsburghtoHarrisburgMainLineCanalGreenways(PA);HistoricChamplain

CanalwayTrailandWalkwayOvertheHudsonProject(NY);CameronParkTrails(TX);andOccoquan

WaterTrail(VA).

DevelopingaNewWaterFlowProtocolforGrandCanyonNationalPark

InDecember,SecretarySalazarannouncedthedevelopmentofasciencebasedprotocoltoprovide

foradditionalexperimentalhighflowreleasesfromGlenCanyonDamdowntheColoradoRiver

TangleLakes,DenaliHighway,Alaska


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throughGrandCanyonNationalPark.Thepurposeoftheexperimentalflowsistoseekbetter

protectionofthenaturalresourcesandecosystemoftheparkwithoutaffectingoverallamountsof

waterowedtoareawaterusers.

RenewingtheFederalCommitmenttotheEverglades

Secretary

Salazar

has

helped

fulfill

the

Obama

Administrations

strong

commitment

to

restoring

and

preservingtheEvergladesecosystem.Theactionstakeninclude:

Initsfirstyear,theObamaAdministrationprovidedmoreleadershipandfundingtomovetheEvergladesrestorationfromplanningtoconstructionofcriticalprojectsthanthe

previousadministration. The$600millionprovidedbytheAdministrationforFY2009and

commitmenttobeafullpartnerin

thelargestlandscapelevel

restorationanywhereandputsthe

projectbackontrack.

SecretarySalazartookstepstoreverse

the

previous

Administrationsdecisiontoremove

EvergladesNationalParkfromthe

UnitedNationsListofWorld

HeritageSitesinDanger. TheUN

listfocusestheattentionand

resourcesoftheinternational

communityonprotecting

internationallysignificantareas,

suchastheEverglades.

InDecember,after20yearsofdebateandplanning,SecretarySalazarjoinedofficialsfromtheArmyCorpsofEngineers,StateofFloridaandtheregionalwaterdistrictinbreaking

groundforconstructionofaonemilebridgeadjacenttothenorthernboundaryofthe

EvergladesNationalParkontheTamiamiTrail.Thebridgeisakeycomponentofongoing

effortstorevivetheEverglades. Itisthelargestconstructionprojectinthehistoryofthe

NationalParkServiceandiscriticaltorestoringfreshwaterflowstoEvergladesNational

ParkandtheSouthFloridaecosystem.

SecretarySalazarmadeeliminatingtheBurmesepythonsandothernonnativeconstrictorsnakesfromtheEvergladesapriorityandexpandedexistingInteriorprogramstocombat

thesespecies.

RenewingtheFederalCommitmenttoCalifornia'sBayDelta

SecretarySalazarhasledtheObamaAdministration'srenewedcommitmenttorestorethe

CaliforniaBayDelta,whichisthelargestestuaryontheWestCoast. TheBayDeltaiscritically

importanttohundredsofspeciesoffishandwildlifeandtomillionsofCalifornianswhorelyonitfor

theirwatersupply. Inspiteofthis,thepreviousadministrationabandonedpursuitofabalanced

policythatincludedongoinginvestmentsinbothwatersupplyandecologicalrestorationprojects.

LittleBlueHeron,EvergladesNationalPark


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TheInteriorDepartmententeredintoaMemorandumofUnderstandingwiththeCouncilon

EnvironmentalQualityandfourotherkeyfederalagenciesinSeptemberandthenlauncheda

coordinatedFederalActionPlaninDecembertoaddressbothshorttermandlongtermneedsof

theBayDelta.

ProtectingYellowstoneNationalPark

TheNationalParkServicebeganeffortsto

establishaninterimruletomanage

snowmobileandsnowcoachaccessat

Yellowstoneforthenexttwoyearswhile

itcraftsalongtermwinteruseplanfor

thepark.TheServiceisusingthebest

scienceavailabletoprotectYellowstones

naturalresourcesandwildlifewhilestill

allowingarobustwinterrecreational

experienceforoffroadvehicle

enthusiastsandlocalbusinesses. The

interimrule

would

allow

up

to

318

snowmobilesintheparkeachdayforthe

nexttwowinters,replacingthe2004

rulecurrentlyineffectbycourtorder

thatallowedupto720snowmobilesperday.

ProtectingGrandCanyonNationalPark

SecretarySalazarwithdrew1millionacresoffederallandsfromminingactivityintheArizonaStrip

abuttingGrandCanyonNationalParkfortwoyears.ThiswillenabletheDepartmenttoevaluate

whethertowithdrawthelandsfromnew,primarilyuranium,miningclaimsforanadditional20

yearsbecauseoftheneedtoprotectthepark,triballands,andculturalresources.

ProtectingandRestoringtheChesapeakeBay

InMay,PresidentObamaissuedanExecutiveOrderdeclaringtheChesapeakeBayanational

treasureandcommittedthefederalgovernmenttoarobustcleanupeffortthroughacoordinated

effortbetweenfederalagencies.Thiswasthefirsteverpresidentialdirectiveonthebayand

PresidentObamasfirstenvironmentalExecutiveOrder. Interiorandfellowagenciesannounced

theirdraftstrategyforpubliccommentinNovembertoacceleratecleanupeffortsandtrack

progress.Theycommittedtoachievingmilestoneseverytwoyears,withagoalofhavingthe

measurestheyneedtorestoretheChesapeakeBayanditswatershedinplacebynolaterthan

2025.

Protecting

and

Restoring

the

Great

Lakes

TheDepartmentoftheInteriorisakeyparticipantintheGreatLakesRestorationInitiativethat

PresidentObamacreatedinOctober2009. ThisinitiativecallsfortheGreatLakesstatestoprepare

aplanofactionincooperationwith16federalagencies. TheU.S.GeologicalSurveyrecently

completedaGreatLakespilotstudyforaNationalAssessmentofWaterAvailabilityandUse.This

providestheregionswatermanagerswithuptodateinformationforimplementingtheGreat

LakesSt.LawrenceRiverBasinCompact.Italsowillhelpformthebasisfordecisionsonfuturewater

withdrawalsintheregion.

TheFirstFamilyatYellowstoneNationalPark


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ProvidingFundingtoRestoreAbandonedCoalMines

TheOfficeofSurfaceMiningmade$369millionavailableto28eligiblecoalproducingstatesand

tribesthroughtorestoreabandonedcoalmines,anincreaseofmorethan$70millionfrom2008. In

announcingthefunds,SecretarySalazarnotedthatthesegrantsconsistentlyprovidethousandsof

wellpayingjobsinAmericaseconomicallydepressedcoalminingareas.

Reconsideringthe

Prior

Administrations

Decision

to

Offer

Oil

and

Gas

Leases

on

the

Doorstep

of

UtahsNationalParks

InFebruary,SecretarySalazardirectedtheBureauofLand

Managementtowithdrawandreconsiderforleasing77oilandgaslease

parcelsnearDinosaurNationalMonumentandArchesand

CanyonlandsNationalParksinUtah. Hewithdrewtheparcels,

whichthepreviousAdministrationhadissuedinitsfinalweeks

inoffice,tobetterdeterminewhereoilandgasdevelopmentis

appropriateonpubliclandsinthearea. Afederalcourthad

haltedtheleases,citingfundamentalflawsinthe

Departmentscompliance

with

legal

processes.

Theresultinginterdisciplinaryreview,itselfanewapproach

SecretarySalazardirectedInteriortoundertake,

recommendedleasingof17parcels,withdrawalof8,and

deferralof52others. Importantly,thereportrecommended

changesinBLMsoilandgasleasingprogramtonotonlybetter

protecttreasuredlandscapesandtheenvironmentbutalso

bettermanageoilandgasdevelopmentonpubliclands.

CreatingMountaintopMiningRulestoBetterProtectStreams

TheObama

Administration

developed

amulti

pronged

interagency

plan

via

aMemorandum

of

Understandingmarkingsignificantpolicyshiftsonmountaintopmining.Thememorandumprovides

forcontinuedminingofthisimportantconventionalenergysourcebutalsostrengthensoversight

andregulationandminimizesadverseenvironmentalconsequencesofmountaintopcoalmining.

Theagreementestablishesseveralshortandlongtermactionsregulatoryagencieswilltaketowill

improvecoordinationandreducewaterimpactsresultingfrommountaintopmining.

TheDepartmentsubsequentlyinitiatedanadministrativerulemakingtocreateacomprehensive

newstreambufferzonerule.ThiswouldreplacethepreviousAdministrations2008rulewhich

relaxedprotectionsofstreams. Meanwhile,Interiorstrengthenedoversightofstatesurfacecoal

miningprogramswhilethenewruleisdeveloped.

Withdrawingthe

Western

Oregon

Plan

Revisions

and

Moving

Toward

aNew

Long

Term

Forest

ManagementStrategy

InJuly,SecretarySalazarwithdrewalegallyindefensibleplantointensifylogginginwesternOregon

(theWesternOregonPlanRevisions),whichthepreviousAdministrationfinalizedinDecember,

2008,justweeksbeforeleavingoffice. Interiorismovingforwardwithtimbersalesthatcanbe

offeredintheshorttermwhiletheagencytakesafreshlookatlongtermforestmanagement

strategies.

WilsonArch,nearMoab,Utah


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RestoringtheKlamathRiverBasin

TheDepartmentoftheInterioristheleadagencyinnegotiatingacommunityledandsupported

plantoenddecadesofconflictandrestoretheKlamathRiverBasininOregonandCalifornia.In

June,SecretarySalazarsetaSeptemberdeadlineforreachingadraftagreementtoencourage

agreementamongthe26diversestakeholders. Thestakeholdersreachedanhistoricagreementto

evaluate

and

potentially

undertake

the

largest

river

restorationinAmericanhistory. Thisagreement

entailsthepossibledecommissioningandremoval

offourprivatelyownedhydropowerdamsonthe

KlamathRiver,habitatrestorationthroughoutthe

basin,andestablishmentofasustainableallocation

ofwaterforcommunities,agriculture,fish,and

refuges. Finalapprovalofbothagreementswillbe

finalizedinearly2010. TheSecretarywillthen

undertakeacomprehensiveevaluationofthecosts

andbenefitsofremovingthedamsbeforegiving

finalapproval.

PurchasingCriticalInholdings

TheDepartmentjoinedtheU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureinpurchasing5,026acresofhighvalue

conservationlandinColorado,MontanaandNevada. Thelargestparcelis4,573acreswithinthe

CanyonsoftheAncientsNationalMonumentinColorado. Theacquisitionsareauthorizedunderthe

FederalLandTransactionFacilitationActof2000. Theactestablishedaspeciallandconservation

fundtopurchaseprivateinholdingsinwesternstatesfrom

willingsellerswhoseacreageissurroundedbyornextto

landsmanagedbyInterioragenciesortheU.S.Forest

Service. Suchpurchasesreceivefundingfromalready

completedfederallandsales.

ApprovingNewFundsforNevadaandLakeTahoe

ConservationandRestorationProjects

InSeptember,SecretarySalazar,BLMDirectorBobAbbey

andSenateMajorityLeaderHarryReidannouncedapproval

ofmorethan$135millionforavarietyoflandscape

protection,restorationandimprovementprojectsinthe

LakeTahoeareaandthroughoutNevadaunderthe

SouthernNevadaPublicLandManagementAct. Thefundscomefromrevenuegeneratedbythe

saleofpubliclandsidentifiedfordisposalintheLasVegasValleybytheAct.

BlackRockDesertHighRockCanyon

EmigrantTrailsNationalConservation

Area,Nevada

UpperKlamathNationalWildlifeRefuge,California


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14

PROMOTING,PROTECTINGANDRESTORINGAMERICAS

TREASUREDCULTURALANDHISTORICLANDSCAPES

ReOpeningtheStatueof

LibertysCrown

Inoneofhisfirstofficialacts,

SecretarySalazarorderedthe

openingtothepublicofthe

StatueofLibertysCrownby

July4,2009,withappropriate

safetyandsecuritylimits. On

July4,2009,theNational

ParkServicereopenedthe

crownandinitiatedalong

termrenovationand

restorationprogram

for

Lady

LibertyandnearbyEllis

Island.

MovingForwardontheMartinLutherKing,Jr.Memorial

After11yearsofdispute,SecretarySalazarannouncedresolutionofissuespreventingissuanceof

thenationalparkspermitallowingconstructionoftheMartinLutherKing,Jr.,Memorialonthe

NationalMall. SecretarySalazarsignedtheconstructionpermitonOctober29,2009.

FindingConsensustoMove

ForwardontheFlight93

NationalMemorial

SecretarySalazarhelped

brokeragreementsonland

acquisitionforthememorial,

resolvingdisputesthat

threatenedtoderailcreation

ofthememorialhonoringthe

heroesof

the

9/11/01

terroristattackonFlight93

nearShanksville,

Pennsylvania. Thoseefforts

resultedingroundbreaking

forthememorialon

November7,2009.

anuar 23,2009:Secretar o theInteriorKenSalazarattheStatueo Libert

SecretarySalazarwithParkRangerKeithNewlinatthecitizencreated

memorialatthesiteofthecrashofUnitedFlight93onSeptember11,2001


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15

CelebratingtheAmericanRevolution

Inanotherresolutionofalongstandingdispute,theDepartmentsuccessfullyreachedagreementto

developanationalmuseum,theAmericanRevolutionCenter,atIndependenceNationalParkin

downtownPhiladelphia. Inexchangeforlocatingthecenteratthissite,theNationalParkService

willreceivea78acreparcelofprivatelandthatthecenterownswithintheboundaryofanother

Revolutionary

War

treasure,

Valley

Forge

National

Historical

Park.

RememberingaWorldWarIITragedyatPortChicago

PresidentObamasignedlegislationtocreatethenations392ndnationalpark,thePortChicago

NavalMagazineNationalMemorialinConcord,California. Theparkcommemoratestheplaceofthe

greatestlossoflifeonthehomefrontduringWorldWarII320mendiedandalmost400others

wereinjuredinanexplosionasshipswerebeingloadedwithmunitions. Ofthe320menkilled,202

wereAfricanAmerican.

TellingAmericasStoryNationalMuseumoftheAmericanLatinoCommission

TheObamaAdministrationconvenedthe23memberNationalMuseumoftheAmericanLatino

Commission,fillingpositionsthathadbeenvacantunderthepreviousadministration. The

commissionwillstudyoveratwoyearperiodthefeasibilityofandplanforanewnationalmuseum

inthenationscapitaltoportraytheart,history,andcultureoftheLatinopopulationoftheUnited

States. ThelawgavetheDepartmentofInterior,supervisoryandbudgetaryauthorityoverthe

commission. SecretarySalazarassembledafulltimestaffdedicatedtosupportingtheworkofthe

commission,convenedthreecommissionmeetingsinthefirstfourmonthsofitsfullexistenceand

encouragedthecommissionerstocompletetheirstudywithinoneyear,halfthetimethestatute

provided. ThecommissionsgoalistocompleteitsstudybySeptember2010.

AwardingGrantsforHistoricPreservation

TheNationalParkServiceawarded$46.5millioninhistoricpreservationgrantsto59statesandU.S.

territories. Inannouncingtheawards,SecretarySalazarnotedthatPreservingandcelebratingout

nationsrich

history

is

avital

part

of

the

Department

of

the

Interiors

mission

these

grants

from

theHistoricPreservationFundwillassiststate,tribalandlocalgovernmentsintellingtheirstories

whileprovidingbothculturalandeconomicbenefitstothecommunitiesandtothenationasa

whole. In2008projectssimilarlyfundedgeneratedmorethan67,700jobs,createdmorethan

10,390housingunits,andledtomorethan$5.64billionofprivateinvestmentsintherehabilitation

ofcommercialhistoricproperties.

PROMOTINGSCIENCEANDPROTECTIONSFORWILDLIFE

RestoringEndangeredSpeciesConsultation

TheObama

Administration

through

Secretary

Salazar

and

Secretary

of

Commerce

Locke

restored

theroleofindependentscienceintheEndangeredSpeciesActs(ESA)Section7interagency

consultationprocess.ThetwoSecretariesrescindedthepreviousAdministrationsDecember2008

regulationthatcurtailedlongstandingrequirementsforfederalagenciestoconsultwiththe

InteriorsU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandCommercesNationalOceanicandAtmospheric

AdministrationthetwoagenciesthatadministertheESAonactionsthatmayaffectthreatened

orendangeredspecies. Theirdecisionrequiresfederalagenciestoonceagainconsultwithfederal

wildlifeexpertsbeforetakingactionthatmayjeopardizethreatenedorendangeredspecies.


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CelebratingRestorationoftheEndangeredBrownPelican

ReflectingthevalueandsuccessoftheEndangeredSpeciesAct,theU.S.FishandWildlifeService

removedthebrownpelican,oncethreatenedwithextinctionbythepesticideDDT,fromthelistof

threatenedandendangeredspecies.

Investing

ARRA

Funds

for

Jobs

Relating

to

Science

and

Wildlife

Protection

TheU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceisinvesting$280millionunderthe

AmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentActtoimproveenergy

efficiencyandrenewableenergyuseonrefugesandotherfacilities

throughoutthenation;restorewetlands,riparianhabitat,and

endangeredspecieshabitat;andrestoreandrehabilitateService

facilitiescrucialtothemanagementandrestorationofwildlifeand

fisheries.

Inaddition,theU.S.GeologicalSurveyisinvesting$140millionunder

theActtorestoreandrehabilitatelaboratoriesandresearchfacilities

andvessels;improveenergyefficiencyoffacilities,upgradeearthquakeandvolcanomonitoringnetworksanddatacentersto

morerobustlyprovidetimelyandaccuratehazardinformation;and

modernizestreamgaugescriticaltomonitoringstreamflowsand

providinginformationtowatermanagersandthepublic.

ProtectingthePolarBear

TheFishandWildlifeServicebeganthe

administrativeprocesstodesignateaproposed

200,500squaremilesofcriticalhabitatinthe

Arcticforthepolarbear.

ANewPathfortheWildHorseandBurro

Program

SecretarySalazarproposedanationalsolutionto

restorethehealthofAmericaswildhorseand

burroherdsandtherangelandsthatsupport

thembycreatingacostefficient,sustainable

managementprogramthatincludesthepossiblecreationofwildhorsepreserves. Theproposals

areintendedtofixthecurrent,decadesoldprogramthatisnotsustainablefortheanimals,the

environment,orthetaxpayers.

BattleCreek

(California)

Restoration

UsingARRAfunds,theBureauofReclamationmovedforwardonaprojecttorestoreapproximately

42milesofprimesalmonandsteelheadhabitatonBattleCreekinnorthernCalifornia,plusan

additionalsixmilesonitstributaries. Restorationofthisperennialcoldwaterhabitatwillprotect

salmonspeciesduringdrought,contributetotherecoveryoftheirpopulations,andimprovethe

reliabilityofthewatersupplyintheriversandtributaries.

PolarBear

BrownPelican


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17

SanJoaquinRiverRestoration

InOctober,theBureauofReclamationbeganimplementingtheSanJoaquinRiverRestoration

Settlementwiththereleaseofexperimental"interimflows"fromFriantDam.Theflowscould

providevaluableinformationaboutactionsthatwillberequiredtosupportsalmonreintroductionin

theriver,ascalledforinthesettlement.

ProposedInternationalProtectionsforEndangeredSpecies

TheObamaAdministration,throughtheU.S.FishandWildlifeService,submittedanumberof

proposalsandresolutionsforconsiderationduringtheupcomingmeetingoftheConferenceofthe

PartiestotheConventiononInternationalTradeinEndangeredSpeciesofWildFaunaandFlora

(CITES)inDoha,QatarinMarch2010. CITESistheinternationalagreementwhich175nationshave

signedtoensurethatinternationaltradeinwildanimalsandplantsdoesnotthreatentheir

continuedsurvival. Submittedproposalsinclude(1)increasedprotectionsforthepolarbear,(2)

listingofsixsharkspeciesduetooverexploitationofthefintradeontheirpopulationstatus,and(3)

listingof31redandpinkcoralsforprotection.

DeListingtheGrayWolfinIdahoandMontana

Baseduponbestavailablescience,theU.S.FishandWildlifeServiceremovedthegraywolfinIdaho

andMontana,butnotWyoming,fromthelistofthreatenedandendangeredspeciesunderthe

EndangeredSpeciesAct. ThisdecisionwasbasedupontheServiceswildlifebiologistsconclusion

thatgraywolfpopulationsinMontanaandIdahohavereturnedtohealthylevelsandthatstate

managementplansareadequatetoensurecontinuinghealthypopulationlevels. Thescientistsalso

concludedthatWyomingsproposedwolfmanagementplanisnotadequate.


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18

ENERGYANDCLIMATECHANGE

BUILDINGOURCLEANENERGYECONOMY

TheDepartmentoftheInterioroverseesonefifth

ofthenationslandmassandmorethan1.7

billionacresoftheoutercontinentalshelf.In

lightofthis,PresidentObamaandSecretary

Salazarbelievethedepartmentshouldbea

leaderindevelopingacomprehensiveenergy

planthatcreatesjobsinAmerica,reducesour

dependenceonforeignoil,andprotectsour

childrenfromthedangersofpollution.

Tofulfillthisvision,theObamaAdministration

hasused

existing

authorities

within

Interior

to

developanewrenewableenergyfrontierfor

Americathatembracesandpromotes

environmentallyresponsiblerenewableenergy

projectsonpubliclandsandoffourcoasts.

FirstSecretarialOrder:MakingRenewableEnergyaPriorityfortheDepartment

InMarch,SecretarySalazarissuedhisfirstsecretarialorder,declaringrenewableenergy

development,productionanddeliveryonshoreandoffshoreatoppriorityfortheDepartmentwith

thegoalofreducingboththecountysdependenceonforeignoilanditsgreenhousegaspollution.

CuttingRed

Tape

for

Onshore

Renewable

Energy

Development

AttheSecretarysdirection,theBureauofLandManagementopenedRenewableEnergy

CoordinationOfficesinCalifornia,Nevada,WyomingandArizonaandestablishedteamsinsixother

statestofacilitaterenewableenergyproductiononpubliclands. Theseofficesandteamsare

expeditingtherequiredreviewsofreadytogosolar,wind,geothermal,andbiomassprojects. They

arealsosupportingthespeedypermittingofpowertransmissionprojectsonpubliclands.

FirstEverSolarFocusonPublicLands

Forthefirsttimeever,thefederalgovernmentsetasidepubliclandsitwillconsiderforpotential

developmentofrenewableenergy.Interiorisevaluating1,000squaremilesin24designatedSolar

EnergyStudyAreasacrosstheWestforpotentialsolarenergydevelopment.

FirstEverStateFederalPartnershiptoDevelopRenewableEnergy

InOctober,SecretarySalazarandCaliforniaGovernorSchwarzeneggersignedafirstever

MemorandumofUnderstandingbetweenthestateandthefederalgovernmenttoexpeditea

robust,sciencebasedprocessforsiting,reviewing,approvingandpermittingrenewableenergy

projectsonInteriormanagedlandsinCalifornia.Thegoalofthememorandumistorampup

constructionofrenewableenergyprojectsbyDecember2010.

Solararray,California


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19

ExpeditingPowerTransmissiononFederalLands

Recognizingthatrenewableenergyprojectsrequiretransmissionfacilitiestoreachtheplaces

peopleliveandwork,theObamaAdministrationdevelopedafirsteverMemorandumof

Understandingamongninefederalagenciestoexpeditethesitingandpermittingofelectronic

transmissionprojectsonfederallands.

Interiorhasalreadyidentifiedanddesignatedmorethan5,000milesoftransmissioncorridorson

thelandsitmanagestofacilitatethesitingand

permittingoftransmissionlinesintherightwaysandin

therightplaces.

Meanwhile,theDepartmentisprocessingmorethan30

applicationsformajortransmissioncorridorrightsof

wayonlandsitmanages.Sevenoftheseapplicationsin

Idaho,CaliforniaandNevadaarebeingfasttracked

andcouldclearthepermittingprocessby2010.

Together,thesesevenprojectscouldaddmorethan

1,000miles

of

new

transmission.

CuttingRedTapeforOffshoreRenewableEnergyDevelopment

SecretarySalazarworkedwithFederalEnergyRegulatoryCommission(FERC)ChairmanJohn

WellinghofftocutthebureaucraticredtapebetweenFERCandInteriorthatcoulddelayrenewable

energyprojects.TheDepartmentreachedaMemorandumofUnderstandingwithFERCthatdetails

proceduresandprocessestobeusedbythetwoagencies,settlingjurisdictionalquestionsthathad

beenunresolvedforseveralyears. Thesequestionscreatedconfusionanduncertaintyforpotential

offshorerenewableenergyprojects,effectivelydelayingordiscouragingtheirdevelopment.

LaunchingNewRulesoftheRoadfor

OffshoreRenewable

Energy

Development

Onthe39thEarthDayApril22,2009,

PresidentObamaandSecretarySalazar

announcedDepartmentoftheInteriorrules

creatingthefirsteverframeworkfor

offshorerenewableenergydevelopment.

Theselongdelayedrulesopenthegatesfor

theresponsibledevelopmentofsignificant

offshorewindenergypotential.

PromotingOffshoreWindEnergy

Development

In2009,Interiorawardedfourexploratory

leasesforrenewablewindenergyproductionontheoutercontinentalshelfthefirstever

offshoreNewJerseyandDelaware.TheDepartmentalsoestablishedthefirstfivefederalstate

offshorerenewableenergytaskforceswithstatesalongtheAtlanticseaboard.

Windturbines

on

BLM

land,

California

SecretarySalazartourstheMiddelgrundenoffshore

windfarm

in

Denmark

(Photo

by

Jacob

Nielsen)


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20

CreatinganAtlanticRegionOffshoreRenewableEnergyOffice

InDecember,SecretarySalazarannouncedthatInteriorsMineralsManagementService(MMS)will

establisharenewableenergyregionalofficein2010.Thiswillbethefirsteverfederaloffice

specificallysupportingrenewableenergydevelopmentonthefederaloutercontinentalshelfoffthe

Atlanticseaboard. Theofficewillberesponsibleforevaluatingpermitsforrenewableenergy

activities

in

an

effective,

efficient

and

consistent

manner,

working

with

the

States,

developers

and

otherstakeholderstoaddresstheirrequestsandconcerns.

IncreasingtheRenewableEnergyPotentialofHydropower

SecretarySalazardirectedInteriorsBureauofReclamation(BOR),thenationssecondlargest

hydropowerproducer,toevaluatenewcapacityandefficiencyincreasesatexistingprojectsthat

couldhelprealizeundevelopedpowerpotential. Hydropowerconstitutesapproximately70percent

ofthenationscurrentrenewableenergygeneration. Thebureauisdevelopingaplanthat

prioritizesdevelopmentofnewhydropowercapacityatexistingfacilities. Inaddition,Interioris

workingwiththeArmyCorpsofEngineersandtheDepartmentofEnergysEnergyEfficiencyand

RenewableEnergyOfficetofacilitateandcoordinatenewhydropowerdevelopment.

Highlightingthe

Importance

of

Clean

Energy

Development

OnbehalfoftheObamaAdministration,SecretarySalazarhostedaWhiteHouseCleanEnergy

ForuminNovemberwithstakeholdersfrom39statesacrossthecountry. Thestakeholders

representedabroadbasednetworkoforganizationsandinstitutions,includingsportsmenand

women,businessleaders,environmentalists,andrepresentativesfromIndiancountry. The

SecretaryandtheDepartmentstopofficialsengagedwithforumparticipantsinawideranging

discussionabouttheimportanceofdevelopingrenewableenergyonfederallandsandelsewhere,

thepotentialforjobcreationindevelopingacleanenergyeconomy,climateimpactandadaptation,

andeffortstosupportandmaintainthetreasuredlandscapesofAmerica.

RESPONSIBLY

DEVELOPING

CONVENTIONAL

ENERGY

SOURCES

PresidentObamaandSecretarySalazarrecognizethatAmericasoil,gas,andcoalsupplieswill

remainanimportantcomponentofacomprehensiveenergyplan. Therefore,thedepartmentis

workingtoensurethattheconventionalenergysourcesthatitmanagesaredevelopedintheright

wayandintherightplaces,helping

meetournationsenergyneedswhile

protectingtheenvironment.

ApprovingNewOilandGasLeases

In2009,Interiorheld35onshoreleasesalesandtwooffshore

auctions.Together,

these

sales

offeredmorethan2,542parcels

covering2.9millionacresintheWest

(1,312parcelssold,covering1.1

millionacres)andmorethan55

millionacresoffshore(1.9million

acresleased)offederallandforoil

andnaturalgasexplorationand

SecretarySalazarandLouisianaLt.GovernorMitchLandrieutour

theMedusaStaroffshoreoilproductionrigintheGulfofMexico


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21

development.Theauctionsgeneratedmorethan$937millioninrevenuesthatareshared

betweenthestatesandfederalgovernment.

InteriorapprovedShellOilsexploratoryplansonexistingleasesintheBeaufortandChukchiSeasnorthofAlaska.

InNovember,Interiorannouncedits2010schedulefor38leasesalesforoilandnaturalgasonU.S.publiclands37quarterlysalesinadozen,mostlyWesternstates,andthefirstsale

innearlytwoyearsfortractsinthenorthernreachesoftheNationalPetroleumReserve

Alaska.

SecretarySalazaralsoannouncedthattheDepartmentwillholdanoilandnaturalgasleasesalefortheCentralGulfofMexicoinMarch2010thatwilloffernearly36millionacresand

couldproduceupto1.3billionbarrelsofoiland5.4trillioncubicfeetofnaturalgas.

ReformingtheManagementofOnshoreOilandGasResources

SecretarySalazarannouncednewadministrativeproposals,whichInteriordevelopedin2009and

madepublic

in

January

2010,

to

reform

the

federal

onshore

oil

and

gas

program.

The

reforms

will

providemorebalanceandcertaintyintheoil

andgasleasingprogramtherebybenefiting

bothindustryandtaxpayers. Thereformsgrew

outofacomprehensivereviewofoilandgas

leasingactivitiesinUtahthatoccurredatthe

endofthepreviousAdministration.Interior

withdrewsomeofthoseleasesoverconcerns

aboutimpactsonnationalparksandother

sensitiveresources. Afollowupanalysisofthe

practicesthatledtothecontroversialleasing

decisionshighlighted

the

need

for

amore

systematicanddeliberativeapproachto

makingleasingdecisions.

CraftingaMoreOrderlyApproachtoOffshoreOilandGasDevelopment

Onitslastbusinessdayinoffice,thepreviousAdministrationproposedanewfiveyearplanforoil

andgasleasingtosupersedethecurrent20072012fiveyearplanithadpreviouslyapproved. The

proposalprovidedforanunrealisticallyshortpubliccommentperiodandadisingenuoustimeline

forimplementation. Inresponse,SecretarySalazarannouncedafourpartstrategyfordeveloping

bothconventionalandrenewableoffshoreenergy.TheSecretary:

ExtendedthepubliccommentperiodonthenewdraftfiveyearplanfortheOCSby180days;

DirectedtheMineralsManagementServiceandtheU.S.GeologicalSurveytoassembleareportontheavailableresourcesintheOCSandprovidetothepublicinadvanceofpublic

hearings;

HeldfourregionalmeetingsaroundthecountryinNewJersey,Louisiana,AlaskaandCalifornia,togatherpublicinputontheproposednewfiveyearplan;and

PumpunitnearPrice,Utah


23/40

22

ExpeditedtheDepartmentsrenewableenergyrulemakingfortheOuterContinentalShelf,resultingintheEarthDayannouncementoffirsteverrulesoftheroadforoffshore

renewableenergydevelopment.

TheDepartmentwillannounceanewproposalforoilandgasdevelopmentontheOuter

ContinentalShelfinearly2010.

PromotingOilShaleResearch

InFebruary,SecretarySalazarwithdrewthepreviousadministrationssolicitationforasecondround

ofoilshaleresearch,developmentanddemonstration(RD&D)leasesissuedjustdaysbeforeleaving

office.Theleasesincludedseveralflaws,includinglockinginaprematurecommercialregulatory

frameworkestablishingalowroyaltyratethatmayshortchangetaxpayersinthefuture,and

expandingthenewroundofleaseparcelstofourtimesthesizeofthecurrentsixRD&Dleases.

SalazarpromisedasecondroundofoilshaleRD&Dleaseswithmoreresponsibleprovisionsand

specificresearchrequirements.

InOctober,SecretarySalazarproposedadditionalopportunitiesforenergycompaniestoconductoil

shaleresearchonpubliclandsinofferingasecondroundofRD&Dleasesforindustryconsideration.

Thesenew

leases

of

160

acres

each

(480

additional

contiguous

acres

could

be

added

for

commercial

scaledevelopmentiftheRD&Dprovessuccessful)containprovisionsdesignedtohelpaddress

fundamentalconcernsaboutwatersupplyrequirements,poweruse,andtheenvironmentaland

socialimpactsofcommercialscaledevelopment.

Reviewing11th

HourOilShaleResearchLeaseAddenda

JustfivedaysbeforeleavingofficeinJanuary2009,thepreviousadministrationaddedasetof

favorableconditionsandlowroyaltyratestosixpreviouslyapprovedoilshaleresearch,

developmentanddemonstration(RD&D)leaseswithoutpublicnoticeorcomment. Secretary

Salazardeterminedthatthetimingandcircumstancesofthoselastminutemodificationsofexisting

RD&DleasesmeritedadditionalreviewandrequestedanInspectorGeneralreviewoftheselease

addendato

ensure

their

propriety.

MineralsManagementService(MMS)ManagementReforms

InthewakeofSecretarySalazarsdirectiontoreviewhowInteriormanagesitsoilandgas

development,InteriorsMMSreorganizeditsrevenuemanagementprogram.Thiswill,amongother

things,enhancemanagerialoversightandprovideclearreportingresponsibilities,consolidatealloil

andgasproductionreportingandaccountabilityfunctionsunderoneorganization,andimprovethe

timelinessandaccuracyofoilandgasproductionreports.

TerminationofRoyaltyInKindProgram

SecretarySalazarannouncedaphasedinterminationoftheMineralsManagementServices

controversialRoyaltyInKindprogramthatacceptedoilandnaturalgasfromproducersinlieuof

cashroyalty

payments

and

an

orderly

transition

to

amore

transparent

and

accountable

royalty

collectionsystem. Criticshavelongcontendedtheprogramhasdevelopedfromamodestpilot

projectintoaprogramrifewithpotentialforcorruptionthatdoesnotprovideafairrevenuereturn

totheAmericantaxpayer. TheGovernmentAccountabilityOfficehadalsoraisedconcernsabout

theeffectivenessandfiscalsoundnessoftheprogram. Restoringroyaltycollectionstoacashbasis

allowsclearauditingofreturnsandcertaintyforthetaxpayer. Allegationsofmisconductwithinthe

RIKprogramwereattheheartofanethicsscandalinthepreviousAdministrationthatSecretary

Salazarvowedtoaddressupontakingoffice.


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23

RESPONDINGTOTHEREALITIESOFCLIMATECHANGEClimatechangeisaffectingeverycorneroftheAmericancontinent. Itismakingdroughtsdrierand

longer,floodsmoredangerous,andhurricanesmoresevere.TheglaciersinMontanasGlacier

NationalParkaremeltingsoquicklythattheyareexpectedtodisappearinthenexttwodecades.

TheworldsfirstwildliferefugeFloridasPelicanIsland,whichPresidentTeddyRooseveltsetasidein1903isbeingconsumedbyrisingseas. Elevenofthe12warmestyearsonrecordhaveoccurred

inthelast15years.SpringarrivesacrosstheU.S.10daystotwoweeksearlierthanitdid20years

agoandtherangesofmanyplantsandanimalshaveshiftednorthwardandtohigherelevations.

BirdsintheNortheastarereturningfromtheirwinteringgroundsintheSouthanaverageof14days

earlierthantheydidinthefirsthalfofthelastcentury.

SecretarySalazarattendedthehistoricCopenhagenClimateSummitinDecemberonbehalfof

PresidentObamatodeliverasimple

message: theUnitedStatesofAmerica

understandsthedangerthatclimatechange

poses

to

our

world

and

we

are

committed

to

confrontingit. Togetherwithourpartners

intheinternationalcommunity,wewillhelp

buildastrong,achievable,carbonreduction

strategy. AndwewilldeployAmerican

technology,Americanvision,andAmerican

ingenuityforthebenefitofourplanetandall

peoples.

SecretarialOrderonClimateChange

SecretarySalazar

issued

asecretarial

order

launching

the

departments

first

ever

coordinated,

sciencebasedstrategytoaddresscurrentandfutureimpactsofclimatechangeonAmericasland,

water,oceans,fish,wildlifeandhumanandculturalresources. Theorderestablishesaframework

throughwhichInteriorbureauswillcoordinateclimatechangescienceandresourcemanagement

strategies. Undertheframework:

AnewClimateChangeResponseCouncil,whichtheSecretaryisleading,iscoordinatingInteriorsresponsetotheimpactsofclimatechangewithinandamongtheInteriorbureaus

andwillworktoimprovethesharingandcommunicationofclimatechangeimpactscience.

InteriorwillestablishanetworkofLandscapeConservationCooperativestoengageotherfederalagencies,localandstatepartners,andthepublictocraftpractical,landscapelevel

strategiesfor

managing

climate

change

impacts

within

the

eight

regions.

The

cooperatives

willfocusonimpactssuchastheeffectsofclimatechangeonwildlifemigrationpatterns,

wildfirerisk,drought,orinvasivespeciesthattypicallyextendbeyondthebordersofany

singlenationalwildliferefuge,BLMunitornationalpark.

EightregionalClimateScienceCenters,servingAlaska,theNortheast,Southeast,Southwest,Midwest,West,NorthwestandPacificRegions,willsynthesizeexistingclimatechange

impactdataandmanagementstrategies,helpresourcemanagersputthemintoactionon

theground,andengagethepublicthrougheducationinitiatives.

Ice lows Alaska USGS


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PromotingCarbonSequestrationandStorage

GeologicalStorageofCarbon. InteriorsU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)scientistslaunchedahistoricnationwideassessmentofthegeologicalstoragecapacityforcarbondioxideinoil

andgasreservoirsandsalineformationsbelowtheEarthssurfacebycreatinga

methodology

to

assess

the

nations

resources

for

geologic

carbon

sequestration

in

oil

and

gasreservoirsandsalineformationsacrosstheUnitedStates.Theseeffortscomplementthe

effortsoftheDepartmentofEnergy,whichisinvestinganunprecedented$2.4billionto

acceleratethecommercialdeploymentofthetechnologiesthatwillcaptureandsequester

carbondioxide.Together,InteriorandEnergysinitiativeswillhelpAmericamakesmarter,

cleaneruseofenergyresourceslikecoal,whichissoabundantintheUnitedStates.

BiologicalStorageofCarbon. USGSscientistsalsocompletedthefirstphaseofaprojecttoidentifycarbonstorageinnaturallandscapes(biologicalsequestration). Theproject

involvesagroundbreakingassessmentofthenationsabilitytocaptureandstorecarbon

dioxidefromtheatmosphereasameanstomitigateclimatechange. InDecember,USGS

scientistsannouncedtheyhavefoundthatplantsandsoilsinthelower48statesstore

almost90

billion

metric

tons

of

carbon

or

the

equivalent

of

around

50

years

of

U.S.

carbon

dioxideemissionsatcurrentlevels.Alltogether,terrestrialecosystemsintheU.S.are

soakingupcarbonequivalenttoabout30percentofU.S.fossilfuelCO2emissions.

Byrestoringecosystems,usingbestmanagementpractices,andprotectingcertainareas

fromdevelopment,federallandscanstoremorecarboninwaysthatenhanceour

stewardshipoflandandnaturalresourceswhilereducingourcontributiontoglobal

warming.

JoiningForcesWorldwidetoAddressClimateChangeImpactsonRiverDeltas

USGSlaunchedtheDeltaResearchandGlobalObservationNetwork(DRAGON)partnershipwiththe

goalsof

sharing

information

and

data

from

deltas

around

the

world

and

developing

models

that

informmanagementdecisionsrelatedtodeltasandlargeriversystems. Becauseofthesimilarity

betweentheMississippiRiverandMekongRiverdeltas,forinstance,theUnitedStatesandthe

countriesofthelowerMekongDeltahavedevelopedascientificpartnershiptostudythepotential

impactsofclimatechangeandsealevelrise. Thepredictivemodelstheyaredevelopingwillhelp

balancetheinterestsofpeople,ecology,foodsecurity,andeconomicdriverssuchasfisheries,

agriculture,andenergyproduction.

CopenhagenClimateSummit

Indemonstratingitscommitmenttoaddressingtherealitiesofclimatechange,theObama

Administrationsentanunprecedentedhighleveldelegationofitsseniorofficialstothehistoric192

nationCopenhagen

Climate

Summit

in

December.

Secretary

Salazar,

Deputy

Secretary

Hayes

and

otherInteriorofficialsservedasmembersoftheU.S.delegation.

SecretarySalazardeliveredkeynoteremarksattheSummithighlightingtheseriousnessoftheneed

toaddressthecausesandeffectsofclimatechangearoundtheworldinaspeechtitledTheNewEnergyFuture: TheRoleofPublicLandsinCleanEnergyProductionandCarbonCapture. SecretarySalazarsspeechkickedoffaseriesofpresentationsbytopInteriorofficialsincluding,amongothers,

DeputySecretaryDavidJ.Hayes,AssistantSecretaryforFishandWildlifeandParksThomas

Strickland,andU.S.GeologicalSurveyDirectorDr.MarciaMcNutt.


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EMPOWERINGNATIVEAMERICAN,ALASKANAND

ISLANDCOMMUNITIES

PresidentObamahasplacedahigh

priorityonrestoringthenationto

nationrelationshipbetweenthe

federalgovernmentandIndiantribes.

SecretarySalazariscommittedto

helpingAmericanIndianandAlaska

Nativecommunitiesprosper,

expandingopportunitiesforyoung

people,improvingschools,

strengtheninglawenforcement,and

helping

these

communities

develop

renewableenergyresourcesontheir

lands. InteriorisintegratingNative

Americaninterests,concernsand

needsasneverbeforeintothegoals,

policiesandnewdirectionsofthe

department,includingthe

Departmentseffortstotackleclimate

change,buildacleanenergy

economy,andtoprotectland,water

andculturalsites.

BuildingaNew

Federal

Relationship

at

an

Historic

White

House

Tribal

Nations

Conference

InNovember,PresidentObamametwithmorethan400leadersoffederallyrecognizedtribes

gatheredattheDepartmentoftheInteriorataTribalNationsConferencetomutuallyaffirmthe

Administrationscommitmenttoanew,morepositiveandproductiverelationshipwiththe

countrysFirstAmericansandtodiscusseffortstoaddresstheissuesconfrontingIndiancountry.

SettlingtheLongRunningandContentionsCobellLawsuit

After13yearsofcontentiouslitigation,hundredsofmotions,dozensofcourtrulingsandappeals,

severaltrials,andseveralfailedattemptsatsettlement,SecretarySalazarfulfilledacommitment

presidentialcandidateBarackObamamadetoworktowardresolvingtheCobellclassactionlawsuit

regardingtheU.S.governmentsmanagementandaccountingofmorethan300,000individual

AmericanIndian

trust

accounts.

As

part

of

that

pledge,

Secretary

Salazar

personally

participated

in

negotiations. InIndianCountry,thelawsuitcametosymbolizethefederalgovernmentsneglectof

andindifferencetoitstrustresponsibilitiestothenationsAmericanIndians.

InDecember,SecretarySalazarandAttorneyGeneralEricHolderannouncedthesettlementofthe

longrunning,bitterlawsuit,subjecttocongressionalandcourtapproval.

SecretarySalazargreetsJoeMedicineCrow,therecipientof the

PresidentialMedalofFreedomfromPresidentObama


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CreatingJobsinNativeAmericanCommunitiesthroughtheEconomicRecoveryAct

UnderPresidentObamasAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentAct,theDepartments

BureauofIndianAffairsisinvesting$500millionintribalcommunitiesacrossthecountry,including:

SchoolImprovementandRepairs$143.1

million

RoadMaintenance $142.5

million

SchoolReplacementConstruction $134.6million

HousingImprovementProgram(HIP) $19million

ConstructionWorkforceOntheJobTraininginMaintenance

$13.3million

WorkforceTraining $5.7million DetentionCenterMaintenance

andRepairs$7.3million

IndianGuaranteedLoanProgram $9.5million

WorkingwithCongresstoPrioritizeIssuesofConcerntoNativeAmericanCommunities

InMarch,SecretarySalazarappearedbeforetheSenateIndianAffairsCommitteehisfirst

congressionaltestimonysincehisconfirmationtotestifyontheObamaAdministrationspriorities

onissuesofconcerntoAmericanIndianandNative

Alaskacommunities. SecretarySalazarpledgedthe

Administrationscommitment

to

work

with

ChairmanDorganandothermembersofCongress

tohelpstrengthenlawenforcementontribal

lands,tohelptribescutthroughtheredtapeof

theenergypermittingprocess,andtoworktoon

resolvingoutstandingIndiantrustissues.

ANewEraforTribalConsultation

Inresponsetoanexecutivememorandumissued

byPresidentObamaatthehistoricWhiteHouseall

nationsconferenceinNovember,theDepartment

ofthe

Interior

initiated

steps

to

develop

adepartment

wide

policy

on

tribal

consultation.

Interior

willdevelopthenewconsultationpolicywithinputfromthenations564federallyrecognized

tribes. PresidentObamasmemorandumdirectsallfederaldepartmentsandagenciestodevelopa

planofactionstoimplementPresidentClintons2000executiveorderrequiringconsultationand

coordinationwithtribalgovernments.

FirstLadyMichelleObamareceivesatraditional

AmericanIndianwoman'sshawl

AssistantSecretaryIndianAffairsLarryEchoHawkwithNavajo

NationPresidentJoeShirleyandstudentsandofficialsfromthe

RoughRockCommunitySchool


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InteriorJusticeLawEnforcementWorkingGroup

Recognizingthatlawenforcementneedsontriballandshavebeencriticallyneglected,earlyinhis

termSecretarySalazarandAttorneyGeneralEricHolderlaunchedajointDOIDOJhighlevel

workgrouptospuractionontheseimportantissues. ADOIseniorlevelworkinggroupwasalso

created. SuccessesalreadyachievedincludearevampedrecruitingprocessforBIAlawofficersthat

has

increased

by

over

500%

the

number

of

applicants

for

those

positions;

implementation

of

an

expeditedbridgeofficertrainingprogramforStatecertifiedpoliceofficerstobecomeBIAofficersin

2010,shaving14weeksoffdeploymenttime;andimplementationin2010ofatargeted,intense

communitypolicingpilotprogramonfourreservationsthatisanticipatedtoreducecrimebyover

5%oneachofthosereservationsbyyearend2011. Inaddition,workcontinueswithDOJto

streamlineDOIDOJtriballawenforcementbudgetsandprogramstobestservetriballaw

enforcementneeds,includingfullcoordinationonthesittingofdetentioncentersonIndianlands.

TribalRecognition

InteriorsIndianAffairslaunchedareviewofthefederalsystemofrecognizingIndiantribes.

IndianGamingPolicy

TheIndianAffairsbeganareviewofcontroversialfederalgovernmentprocessandpolicies

regardingoffreservationIndiangaming,andassociatedtrustacquisitions.

SigningandImplementingMajorIndianWaterRightsSettlements

InMarch,2009,PresidentObamasignedthePublicLandManagementActof2009whichincluded

twoAmericanIndianWaterRightssettlements.

TheNorthwesternNewMexicoRuralWaterProjectActauthorizesthesettlementofthelongtimewaterrightsclaimsoftheNavajoNationintheSanJuanBasininNewMexico. In

connectionwiththiswaterrightssettlement:

o SecretarySalazargavefinalapprovaltotheBureauofReclamationsNavajoGallupWaterSupplyProject,clearingthewayforresolvingtheNavajoNationslongstanding

waterrightsclaimsinNewMexicoandimplementationoftheNavajoNationSanJuan

RiverBasinWaterRightsSettlement. Thewatersupplyprojectwillprovideclean,safe

andreliablewatertoaquarterofamillionpeopleintheNavajoNation,theCityof

Gallup,NMandtheJicarillaApacheNation.

o SecretarySalazarannounceda$27.4millionBureauofReclamationcontractfortheconstructionoftheNavajoNationMunicipalPipelinetoprovideforthedeliveryof

municipalandindustrialwaterfromFarmington,NewMexicotoShiprock,Arizona. The

pipelineispartoftheAnimasLaPlataProject,whichfulfillstherequirementsofthe

1988Colorado

Ute

Indian

Water

Rights

Settlement

Act

and

the

Colorado

Ute

Settlement

Actof2000. Whencompleted,theAnimasLaPlataProjectwillprovidetheNavajo

Nation,SouthernUteIndianTribeandUteMountainUteTribeandthepeopleofthe

FourCornersareawithareliablewatersupply.

TheShoshonePaiuteTribesoftheDuckValleyReservationWaterRightsSettlement,reachedafteroveradecadeofnegotiations,resolvesthetribessurfaceandgroundwater

claimsinNevadaandalsoestablishestwotrustfundstoenabletheTribestoputtheirwater


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touse. TherehabilitationandexpansionoftheDuckValleyIndianIrrigationProjectwill

restorefishandwildlifehabitatonthereservation,andthetrustfundscreatedwillsustain

andenhancethestrugglingreservationeconomy.

Initialfundingof$18millionforbothofthesesettlementsareincludedinthePresidentsFY2010budgetandSecretarySalazardirectedtheappointmentofdepartmental

implementationteamsforbothofthesesettlementssothattheworktofinalizethemcan

beginimmediately. TheseactionsstronglysignaltheimportanceofIndianWaterRights

SettlementstotheObamaAdministration. Thiscommitmenthasbeenfurther

demonstratedbytherevitalizationoftheSecretarysIndianWaterRightsOfficeandthe

affirmativetestimonyprovidedbytheObamaAdministrationonseveralpendingbut

previouslystalledIndianwaterrights

settlements.

ProtectingSacredAmericanIndianSitesand

Treasures

Culminatinganunprecedentedtwoyear

undercoveroperation

led

by

agents

from

InteriorsBureauofLandManagementand

theFBI,federalandstatelawenforcement

authoritiesinJunebeganroundingupfor

federalprosecutionaringofarcheological

graverobberswholootedpristinesites,

desecratedancientAmericanIndianburials

andstolepricelessartifactsintheFour

CornersregionoftheSouthwest,sellingthem

todealersandcollectorswhowere

associatedwiththenetwork. Itisthe

nationslargest

investigation

of

archeological

andculturalartifactstheftstodate. Secretary

Salazar,theU.S.AttorneyGeneralsOffice

andUtahsU.S.Attorneyannouncedthe

investigationandroundupofsuspectsinSalt

LakeCityasthearrestswereunderway.

WorkingwithTribestoAddresstheSupremeCourtsCarcieriDecision

TheDepartment,onbehalfoftheObamaAdministration,engagedinformalconsultationsona

governmenttogovernmentbasiswithfederallyrecognizedIndiantribesnationwidetodiscuss

potentialapproaches

to

address

the

Supreme

Courts

decision

in

Carcieriv.Salazar.ThisresultedinaproposalthathasbeenincorporatedintolegislationnowbeingconsideredbyCongress. TheCourt

heldthattheSecretaryoftheInteriordidnothavetheauthoritytotakelandintotrustfortribes

thatwerenotunderfederaljurisdictionin1934,whentheIndianReorganizationActwasenacted.

PrioritizingtheDevelopmentofRenewableEnergyinIndianCountry

AspartoftheObamaAdministrationspledgetoworkinpartnershipwithAmericanIndian

communitiestoadvancesustainableeconomicdevelopment,SecretarySalazarhasmadeita

CanyonoftheAncientsNationalMonument,Colorado


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departmentalprioritytoexplorethepotentialforwind,solar,geothermal,andbiomassenergy

productionontriballands.Theselandshavemajorrenewableenergypotentialandthe

developmentoftheseresourcesoffersoneofthegreatestopportunitiesforsustainableeconomic

developmentfortribes.Itisalsoaprioritytoinvolvetribesindeterminingsitesfordevelopingthe

transmissioncapacitythatwilldelivertheserenewableresourcestoconsumers.Thedevelopmentof

renewableenergyandassociatedtransmissionprojectscouldgeneratethousandsofsustainable

jobsforthesetribalcommunities.

OneStopEnergyShopPilotProject

ThedepartmentestablishedaonestopshopattheFortBertholdIndianReservationinNorth

DakotathatstreamlinesoilandgasleasingforregionalIndiantribesandindividuallandowners.This

willserveasamodelforotherareasofthecountry.

PromotingHealthInitiativesatIndianSchools

SecretarySalazarlaunchedapartnershipwithFloridaStateUniversityfootballAllAmericanRhodes

ScholarMyronRolletointroduceaninnovativephysicalfitnessandhealthprogramintofive

InteriorfundedAmericanIndianschools. TheMyronRolleFoundationspecificallytailoredthe

programto

the

culture

and

heritage

of

American

Indians.

PromotingTransparencyinIndianTrustFundOperations

TocreatemoretransparencyintheoperationoftheDepartmentstrustfundprogramserving

AmericanIndians,Interiorhasadoptedanewpolicywherebyitnowprovidesregularstatusupdates

tothepubliconthefinancialhealthandongoingreformsoftheAmericanIndianTrust.

RevampingAlaskaNativeSubsistenceProgram

SecretarySalazarlaunchedacomprehensivereviewoftheDepartmentssubsistencehuntingand

fishingmanagementpoliciesandprogramsonfederallandsandinwaterinandabuttingfederal

lands.ThegoalistomakethesepoliciesworkmoreeffectivelytomeettheneedsofNativeAlaskan

communities.The

review

is

the

first

since

the

Department

took

over

management

of

these

rights

in

theearly1990s.

ANewRelationshipwithIslandCommunities

TheObamaAdministrationfocusedrenewedattentionandcommitmentonislandcommunities:

IncreasingEngagement.TheWhiteHouseOfficeofIntergovernmentalAffairsbecameanactiveparticipantinthegovernmentsInteragencyGrouponInsularAreas,helpingto

resolvespecificissuesandmakingthisinteragencyteamastrongerforcewithinthefederal

establishment,withbetterresultsfortheislands.

RenewedPriority. SecretarySalazarrestoredthepositionofAssistantSecretaryforInsularAreas. ThenewAssistantSecretary,TonyBabauta,isthefirstPacificIslanderevertobean

AssistantSecretaryoftheInteriorandthefirstpersonoverseeingInsularAreaswithin

InteriortohailfromanyoneoftheU.S.territories.

StrengtheningRelationshipsintheCaribbean. InanefforttoimprovethefederalgovernmentsrelationsintheCaribbean,theDepartmentappointedadeskofficertoaidin

theresolutionofissuesrelatingtotheU.S.VirginIslands.


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PreventingBlackouts. WhentheislandofSaipanintheNorthernMarianaIslandswassufferingacutepowerfailuresandrationingduetodefectiveequipmentand

mismanagement,theDepartmentprovidedgrantsforsupplementarypowerandrepairof

generatingequipment.

PromptResponsetoDisaster. InthewakeoftheterribletsunamithathittheislandofAmericanSamoa,thefederalgovernmentrespondedquicklyandforcefullyinsearchand

rescueefforts,emergencyassistance,andcleanup.

PreparingforanEnhancedNationalSecurityPresenceonGuam. TheInteragencyGrouponInsularAreaspledgedanewfocusoncoordinatingfederalagencyactionsthatwillhelp

theU.S.territorialgovernmentofGuamconstructnewandexpandedfacilitiesto

accommodatetheinfluxofthousandsofU.S.militarypersonnelanddependentsinthe

comingyears. GuamisstrategicfortheU.S.militarypostureintheWesternPacific. Itis

anticipatedthatby2014,8,000Marinesand9,000dependentswillbetransferredfrom

OkinawatoGuam. Inaddition,Guamwillbethehomeportofanuclearpoweredaircraft

carrierwith

more

than7,000

transient

personnel,

and

an

Army

Air

and

Missile

Task

Force

withalmost800Defenseemployees. Thesefarreachingmovesspellbigchangesnotonly

fortheU.S.militarybutalsofortheciviliansonGuam.

PreservingCoralReefs. Afteryearsofeffortstoestablishascientificcentertostudyandpreservetheworldsvitalcoralreefsystems,theDepartmentjoinedforceswiththeJoint

InstituteforCaribbeanMarineStudiestoestablishtheSaltRiverBayMarineResearchand

EducationCenteronSt.Croix,U.S.VirginIslands.


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CREATINGOPPORTUNITIESFORAMERICASYOUTHIN

THEOUTDOORS

TheDepartmentoftheInterioris

engagingthousandsofyoungpeople

acrossthecountryinconservation

andenergyefficiencyprojectson

Americaspubliclands,toinspireand

providecareerpathwaystoyoung

peopleforemploymentinnatural

resourceoccupationsandrelated

sciences,andtobecomebetter

educated

about

the

nations

ecosystemsandtheimportanceand

valueofconservationandprotection

ofournaturalresources.

EducatingOurYouth

Morethan2.14millionyoungpeople

participatedinmorethan57,100educationprogramsofferedthroughtheNationalParkServicein

2009.

FundingforYouthEmploymentandEducation

TheFY

2010

budget

for

the

Department

provided

$20

million

in

additional

funding

for

the

Youth

CareersinNatureaninitiativethatbolstersenvironmentaleducation,recreation,andservice

programsthroughouttheDepartment,andengagesthousandsofyouthintheoutdoors.

EmploymentOpportunities

SecretarySalazardirectedInteriorsagenciestoidentifyopportunitiesforyouthtoengagein

projectsthatarebeingfundedthroughtheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentAct(ARRA).

ThroughacombinationofARRAfundsandnonARRAfunds,andinpartnershipwithnonfederal

organizations,theDepartmentemployedorhelpedemploy8,200youthsaroundthecountryin

2009.

OfficeofYouth

InApril,SecretarySalazarissuedasecretarialordercreatingtheOfficeofYouthwithinthe

DepartmentoftheInterior. Thedesignationoftheofficeinstitutionalizesthegoalofcreating

serviceopportunitiesforyoungAmericansforyearstocome. TheOfficeofYouthwillbuildupon

andexpandtheDepartmentsyouthprograms,expandopportunitiesforyoungpeopleofall

backgrounds,supportinitiativesthatteachrecreationalactivitiessuchashiking,biking,huntingand

fishing,andhelpcoordinateyouthinitiativesacrossthebureaus.

SecretarySalazarandvolunteersfromtheYouthConservationCorps

kickofftheUnitedWeServeinitiativeinShenandoahNationalPark


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TACKLINGAMERICASWATERCHALLENGES

CreatingJobsWhileModernizingAmericasWaterInfrastructure

InteriorsBureauofReclamationisinvesting$1billionthroughtheAmericanRecoveryand

ReinvestmentAct

to

fund

water

re

use

projects

and

construct

rural

water

projects

that

will

provide

clean,reliabledrinkingwatertoresidentsofruralareas,includingIndiantribes,andensure

adequatewatersuppliestowesternlocalities.Fundsarealsobeingusedtopromotewater

conservation,improveenergyefficiency,repairagingwaterinfrastructure,andmeetendangered

speciesrequirementsthroughphysicalimprovementssuchasfishscreensandfishpassageprojects.

Fundingincludes:

MeetingFutureWaterSupplyNeeds(includingTitleXVIWater

ReuseandRuralWaterprojects)

$450.9million

Infrastructurereliabilityandsafety $164.6million

Environmental/ecosystemrestoration/greenbuildings

$371.8million

WaterConservationInitiative ChallengeGrants $40million

EmergencyDroughtRelief $40million

Inaddition,ARRAfundsarebeingadministeredthroughInteriorsU.S.GeologicalSurveyto

modernizestream

gauges

critical

for

monitoring

stream

flows

and

providing

information

to

water

managersandthepublic.

SustainableWaterStrategyTheDepartmentbeganworkin2009onaSustainableWaterStrategydesignedtoprovidenational

leadershipinidentifyingwaystoensureadequatesuppliesofwaterfordrinking,economicactivity,

agriculture,recreation,andecosystemhealthinrecognitionofthechallengesposedbyincreasing

population,newdemandsondomesticwaterdevelopment,andthewaterrelatedimpactsof

climatechange.

BasinStudiesProgram

TheBureauofReclamationlaunchedanhistoricbasinstudiesprograminSeptemberdesignedto

evaluateandassesstheimpactsofclimatechangeonwatersuppliesandtodevelopadaptation

strategies. ThestudiesinvolvetheColoradoRiverBasin(7States WY,CO,UT,NM,AZ,NV,CA),

YakimaRiverBasin(WA),andtheMilkandSt.MaryRiverSystems(MT). Thestudies,beingcarried

outwithstate,local,andtribalpartners,willbetterdefineoptionsforfuturewatermanagementof

thesethreeriverbasinswhereclimatechange,drought,populationincreases,andenvironmental

needshaveheightenedcompetitionforscarcewatersupplies.

TheColoradoRiver nearMoab,Utah


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YumaDesaltingPlantPilotRun

TheBureauofReclamationcompleteditsenvironmentalworkandthenecessaryagreementsto

initiateapilotrunoftheYumaDesaltingPlantinMay2010,incollaborationwiththreewater

agenciesfromCalifornia,NevadaandArizona.About21,700acrefeetofdesaltedwaterwillbe

produced. Thiswaterwillbecombinedwith7,300acrefeetofuntreatedirrigationdrainagewater.

The

total

amount,

29,000

acre

feet,

will

be

discharged

into

the

Colorado

River

and

included

in

treaty

deliveriestoMexico. ThiswillreducewaterreleasesfromLakeMeadtomeettreatyobligations.

HelpingCaliforniaWeathertheDroughtandAddressLongTermWaterSupplyandEnvironmental

RestorationNeedsforCaliforniasBayDelta

Aftereightyearsofthefederalgovernmentsittingonthesidelines,theObamaAdministrationis

fullyengagedtohelpCaliforniaaddressitsshorttermdroughtrelatedwatercrisisanditslonger

termchallengeofrestoringandupdatingthatstateswatersystemsandrelatedenvironmental

ecosystems. TheObamaAdministrationandtheDepartmentin2009:

Investedmorethan$1billiondollarsinwaterrelatedprojectsinCalifornia,

includingmorethan$419millionthroughthePresidentseconomic

recoveryplan,tohelpmodernize

Californiaswaterinfrastructure.This

includedmorethan$40millionin

emergencyassistancetohelpwater

shortCentralValleyfarmers. Drought

reliefprojectsincludetemporary

pipelinesandpumps,newdomestic

andirrigationwaterwells,well

enhancementprojects,anda

groundwatermonitoringproject. Helpedmoverecordamountsofwater,morethan600,000acrefeet,tocommunitiesin

mostneedandtookstepstoprepareforapotentialfourthyearofdrought.TheDepartment

alsoworkedwithCaliforniasDepartmentofWaterResourcestofacilitatetransfersintothe

statesDroughtWaterBank,aninnovativeprogramthatmakesadditionalsuppliesofwater

obtainableduringperiodsofdroughtorshortage.

ElevatedfederalinvolvementtobecomeafullpartnerinthecollaborativeprocessthatCaliforniaGovernorArnoldSchwarzeneggerlaunchedtwoyearsagotorestoretheBayDelta

ecosystemandmodernizethestateswoefullyoutdatedwaterinfrastructure.The

departmentalso

worked

with

the

governor

and

California

legislative

leaders

to

encourage

passageofcomprehensivewaterlegislation.

EngagedinactiveoutreachtocommunitiesinCaliforniaimpactedbythestatesseriousdrought.ThisincludedSecretarySalazarhostingaJunetownhallmeetinginFresno,inthe

heartofCaliforniasdroughtstrickenagriculturalregion,thefirstsuchmeetingbyanyhigh

rankingfederalgovernmentofficialsincethedroughtbegan.Salazarlistenedandresponded

tothewaterconcernsofthehundredsofconcernedcitizens,businessesandorganizations

NewMelonesReservoir,California


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thatattended.SecretarySalazarmadeafollowupvisittoafarmintheCentralValleyin

OctobertomeetwithfarmersandfarmworkerstocontinuethedialogueAdditional

meetingswithkeystakeholdersinCaliforniawereheldbyDeputySecretaryDavidJ.Hayes

andBureauofReclamationCommissionerMichaelConnor.

SecretarySalazarandWhiteHouseCouncilonEnvironmentalQuality(CEQ)ChairSutleyonhostedastandingroomonlymeetinginSeptemberinWashington,DCwithCaliforniastate

officialstohearfromCaliforniascongressionaldelegationandwaterandagriculture

stakeholdersandtoreportonthestepsthefederalgovernmenthasbeentakingtoaddress

Californiaswatersupplyandecosystemrestorationneeds.

ExpeditedandcompletedthemandatoryfederalenvironmentalreviewforconstructionoftheDeltaMendotaCanal/California

AqueductIntertieproposedbytheregions

agriculturalcommunitiesandwater

stakeholders. TheBureauofReclamation

subsequentlyissuedarecordofdecision

givingthe

green

light

to

proceed

with

the

constructionofthisimportantinfrastructure

projectdesignedtobetterfacilitatethe

deliveryofwatersupplies.

InitiatedaNationalAcademyofSciencesindependentscientificreviewofkey

que

2009 report final ken salazar

Documents