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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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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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
top related