WASHINGTON, July 21, 2023 —The Department of the Interior announced the distribution of $24,881,884 to the state of California today as part of the $295,582,830 granted this year from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Recent changes to the LWCF Manual guides states to […]
U.S. Department of the Interior
Interior Department Completes Removal of “Sq___” from Federal Use in California
WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior today announced the Board on Geographic Names has voted on the final replacement names for nearly 650 geographic features featuring the word sq___, including 84 in California. The final vote completes the last step in the historic efforts to remove a term from federal use that has historically been […]
Department of the Interior Releases Investigative Report, Outlines Next Steps in Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative
WASHINGTON, May 11, 2022 — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland today released Volume 1 of the investigative report called for as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, a comprehensive effort to address the troubled legacy of federal Indian boarding school policies. This report lays the groundwork for […]
Interior Dept. Begins Implementation of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments to Build Ecosystem Resilience, Habitat Restoration in Klamath Basin
WASHINGTON, March 8, 2022 — The Department of the Interior announced today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting proposals for restoration activities that address high-priority Klamath Basin challenges in Southern Oregon and Northern California. With $162 million in funding available in President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Service is inviting restoration project […]
Interior Department Launches Interagency Working Group on Mining Reform
WASHINGTON, February 22, 2022 — The Department of the Interior today announced that it will launch a new interagency working group on reforming hardrock mining laws, regulations and permitting policies in the United States. The group, which will inform potential rulemaking efforts on mining, will help support President Biden’s vision for a whole-of-government effort to […]
Interior Department Advances Three Solar Projects in California, Continuing Efforts to Develop a Robust Clean Energy Economy
WASHINGTON, August 6, 2021 – In support of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to address climate change and promote renewable energy production, the Department of the Interior announced today it is advancing three solar projects on 4,700 acres of public lands in Riverside County, Calif. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) today invited public review on […]
Interior Department Approves Solar Energy Project in California Desert
WASHINGTON, May 3, 2021 – Today, the Interior Department announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has given final approval to a new solar energy project on public lands in California. The Crimson Solar Project represents an investment of roughly $550 million and has the potential to deliver enough power to energize approximately 87,500 homes. […]
Secretary Haaland Creates New Missing & Murdered Unit to Pursue Justice for Missing or Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives
WASHINGTON, April 2, 2021 – Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the formation of a new Missing & Murdered Unit (MMU) within the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) to provide leadership and direction for cross-departmental and interagency work involving missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. The MMU will help put the full weight […]
Statement from Deb Haaland on Becoming the 54th Interior Secretary
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2021 – Deb Haaland will take the oath of office to become the 54th Secretary of the Department of the Interior later today in a small ceremony with family. The oath of office will be administered by Chief of Staff Jennifer Van der Heide. Her first full day as Interior Secretary will be […]
Dept. of Interior Investing Over $260 Million to Help Create Jobs and Revitalize Land in Coal Communities
WASHINGTON, March 1, 2021 – As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to helping stabilize communities hit hardest by the decrease in demand for coal energy, the Department of the Interior today announced the availability of more than $260 million for states and Tribes to support reclamation efforts in fiscal year 2021. More than $152.22 […]
Interior Department Welcomes Day One Executive Orders to Restore Public Lands and Waters, Combat Coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. January 21, 2021— Immediately following his inauguration, President Joe Biden signed Executive Orders that take critical first steps to address the climate crisis, create good union jobs, and advance environmental justice, while reversing the previous administration’s harmful policies. One of President Biden’s Executive Orders requires the Interior Department to conduct a review of […]
10 awesome owl photos for International Owl Awareness Day
August 4, 2017 – More often seen than heard, owls are amazing birds. With fluffy feathers, large eyes and dramatic facial expressions, these birds of prey have long been fan favorites. There are 150 species of owls worldwide and 19 that call North America home, providing plenty of opportunities to spot these birds on public […]
Flight of Fancy: 12 Amazing Birds
January 5, 2017 – Birds are all around, connecting people with nature and adding beauty, sound and color to our world. While this allows us to have a wildlife experience every day (no matter where we are), public lands like National Wildlife Refuges are often set aside specifically to protect birds and other wildlife. Many […]
Secretary Jewell Lays Out Strategy to Address Impacts of Drought and Climate Change in California
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2016 – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today issued a Secretarial Order directing the Department of the Interior and its bureaus to take timely actions to help address the effects of drought and climate change on California’s water supply and imperiled wildlife. “Long-term drought, fueled by climate change, has adversely […]
Secretary Jewell Applauds President’s Withdrawal of Atlantic and Arctic Ocean Areas from Future Oil and Gas Leasing
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2016 – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today applauded President Obama’s announcement that he is withdrawing offshore areas in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans from future mineral extraction to protect these ecologically sensitive marine environments from the impacts of any future oil and gas exploration and development. The withdrawal does […]
DOI Finalizes Rule Providing Foundation for Future of BLM’s Renewable Energy Program
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2016 – Advancing the President’s Climate Action Plan to create jobs, cut carbon pollution and develop clean domestic energy, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) finalized its rule governing solar and wind energy development on public lands. The rule strengthens existing policies and […]
Secretary Jewell Joins National Park Service and Gill Foundation to Announce Release of First National Study on LGBTQ History
WASHINGTON October 11, 2016 – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today joined National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis and Tim Gill, philanthropist and founder of the Gill Foundation to announce the release of a new National Park Service theme study identifying places and events associated with the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, […]