U.S. Department of the Interior - Radio News Service

Interior Department Radio News Service

The Interior Department Radio News/Podcast Service features stories and event actualities about land, water, and resources for download to your newscasts or just informative listening to find out what's happening in the BLM, FWS, NPS, USGS, BOR, MMS, OSM and the BIA. This is a free service of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Feedback on usage is welcome at Interior_News@ios.doi.gov

Audio News Release PSAs Press Release Podcasts

06/11/2009	Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Announces $381.6 Million PILT Payments.
06/11/2009	Secretary Salazar Comments on Looting of American Indian Sites
06/03/2009	Secretary Salazar Discusses Department’s FY2010 Budget at Senate Interior Appropriations Committee
06/02/2009	Salazar Announces National Park Service Will Waive Fees on Three Summer Weekends to Increase Tourism, Boost Economy
05/13/2009	Secretary Salazar Testifies at House Appropriations Committee
04/27/2009	Secretary Salazar Moves to Withdraw Mountaintop Coal Mining Rule
04/17/2009	Secretary Salazar, Navajo President Shirley Confer on Water, Education and Job-Creation Projects
03/30/2009	Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined President Obama as he signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 at the White House.
03/17/2009	Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday on the Department of the Interior’s energy policies, priorities and initiatives for U.S. public land and the Outer Continental Shelf.
03/10/2009	Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar along with Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, spoke to the National Association of Counties this morning in Washington D.C.
03/04/2009	Secretary Salazar Tells Indian Country Recovery Package Includes Major Initiatives to Create Jobs, Stimulate Economic Activity
02/12/2009	Secretary Salazar Pledges to Restore Trust, Strengthen Tribal Sovereignty, Promote Sustainable Economic Development
02/10/2009	Secretary Salazar Details Strategy for Comprehensive Energy Plan on U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
02/09/2009	Interior Funding in Economic Recovery Act Would Create 100,000 Jobs
02/04/2009	Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Withdraws Oil and Gas Leases in Utah
01/28/2009	Secretary Salazar Hosts Media Roundtable

Audio	Summary	Length
06/11/09: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Announces $381.6 Million PILT Payments.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that approximately 1,850 local governments with federal land in their jurisdictions will receive $381.6 million this year under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program to help offset forgone tax revenue.
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says funding PILT is part of President Obama’s efforts to help stand America up once again. (Text)	:23
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says federal government keeping its share of the bargain. (Text)	:17
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says PILT will be a shot in the arm for many local communities. (Text)	:14

Audio	Summary	Length
06/11/09: Secretary Salazar Comments on Looting of American Indian Sites
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar comments on yesterday’s federal indictments of thieves looting American Indian grave sites. The arrest of 23 suspects culminated a two FBI investigation turning up more than 250 artifacts valued at more than $335,000.
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says we will not tolerate this kind of crime and that sacred burial sites and archeological resources will be protected. (Text)	:29
	Topic: Secretary Salazar said the items were priceless in terms of the legacy and culture of Native Americans and the United States. (Text)	:34
	Topic: Secretary Salazar said the bust opens a new chapter in enforcement of the archeological resource protection. (Text)	:15

Audio	Summary	Length
06/03/09: Secretary Salazar Discusses Department’s FY2010 Budget at Senate Interior Appropriations Committee
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar testified today before the Senate Interior Appropriations Committee, outlining the administrations proposed fiscal year 2010 budget. The budget emphasizes the priorities of creating a new energy frontier, protecting treasured landscapes, creating a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corp and empowering Indian Country.
	Topic: President Obama and Secretary Salazar seek to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The LWCF has only been fully funded twice in its 45 year existence. (Text)	:31
	Topic: Secretary Salazar addressed concerns about siting of wind and solar power while protecting treasured landscapes. (Text)	:49
	Topic: Secretary Salazar said that the new energy frontier will also bring jobs with it. (Text)	:30

Audio	Summary	Length
06/02/09: Salazar Announces National Park Service Will Waive Fees on Three Summer Weekends to Increase Tourism, Boost Economy
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, in a visit to Ohio today, announced that the National Park Service will offer three fee-free weekends this summer to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit these national treasures. The 147 National Park Service sites across the country that charge fees for entry will waive these entrance fees during the weekends of June 20-21, July 18-19, and August 15-16, 2009.
	Topic: : Secretary Salazar says national parks provide affordable vacations for American families. (Text)	:31
	Topic: The Secretary was in Ohio to highlight the $23 million that will be invested in Ohio under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. He visited Cuyahoga Valley National Park and spoke to the City Club of Cleveland. (Text)	:26
	Topic: : Most Americans live less than a day’s drive from a park, the Secretary noted. Nationwide, parks and tourism support more than 213,000 jobs, not counting National Park Service jobs. Secretary Salazar says these are jobs that are not exportable. (Text)	:25
	More information on the fees and discounts can be found at http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

Audio	Summary	Length
5/13/2009: Secretary Salazar Testifies at House Appropriations Committee
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment to discuss his $12.1 billion budget request for fiscal year 2010. The Secretary outlined five agenda items as his top priorities. They are; creating a new energy frontier and addressing climate change, protecting treasured landscapes, creating a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps, solving water problems and empowering Indian Country. Below are excerpts from that testimony.
	Topic: The budget requests $50.1 million to invest in renewable energy development on Interior public lands and waters. Secretary Salazar says many projects are ready to go. (Text)	:39
	Topic: The 2010 budget shows the President’s commitment to protecting treasured landscapes with an unprecedented $2.3 billion for parks operations, a program increase of $100 million above 2009 enacted levels. (Text)	:30
	Topic: The budget includes increased funding for efforts to help Indian Country prosper, including $30 million toward law enforcement. (Text)	:41

Audio	Summary	Length
4/27/2009: Secretary Salazar Moves to Withdraw Mountaintop Coal Mining Rule
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar held a press conference today to announce his determination that the mountaintop coal mining “stream buffer zone rule” issued by the Bush Administration is legally defective. Salazar directed the United States Department of Justice to file a pleading with the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. requesting that the rule be vacated due to this deficiency and remanded the to the Department of the Interior for further action. Related News Release.
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says that the Bush Administration ruling does not pass the “smell test.” (Text)	:36
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says that withdrawing the ruling will not have an affect on coal mining since the industry is still under a 1983 SMCRA ruling. (Text)	:52
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says that future impact on the coal mining industry and America’s energy supply will come from the need to reduce carbon emissions. (Text)	:51

Audio	Summary	Length
4/17/2009: Secretary Salazar, Navajo President Shirley Confer on Water, Education and Job-Creation Projects
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today met with Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley to discuss water, education, road and job training initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for residents of the Navajo Nation, other American Indian communities and residents of New Mexico. A major topic of discussion was the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, authorized in the recently enacted Omnibus Public Land Management Act.
	Topic: Secretary Salazar called today's meeting important and said there were many issues to discuss. (Text)	1:03
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says he looks forward to making the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project a reality (Text)	:58
	Topic: Secretary Salazar said New Mexico and the nation will benefit from the recently signed Omnibus Public Land Management Act (Text)	:49

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3/30/2009: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined President Obama as he signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 at the White House
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar joined President Obama as he signed the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 at the White House. Among its many provisions, the bill makes permanent the 26 million acre National Landscape Conservation System along with new wilderness designations, wild and scenic rivers, National Park units, hiking trails, heritage areas, water projects, and historic preservation initiatives.
	Topic: The Secretary says the act recognizes the value of America’s treasured landscapes. (Text)	:52
	Topic: Secretary Salazar calls the creation of the National Landscape Conservation System an historic milestone. (Text)	:44
	Topic: Secretary Salazar worked on many of the measures included in Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 as a senator from Colorado. (Text)	:19

Audio	Summary	Length
3/17/2009: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday on the Department of the Interior’s energy policies, priorities and initiatives for U.S. public land and the Outer Continental Shelf
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Tuesday on the Department of the Interior’s energy policies, priorities and initiatives for U.S. public land and the Outer Continental Shelf. He also announced that an agreement had been reached with the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee to facilitate the permitting of renewable energy in offshore waters.
	Topic: Secretary Salazar signed a joint statement with Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Jon Wellinghoff announcing that the two agencies will work together to help get renewable energy projects off the drawing board and onto the Outer Continental Shelf. (Text)	:36
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says action is needed to build a super electronic highway to get renewable energy to population centers. (Text)	:28
	Topic: Secretary Salazar will be the auctioneer at Wednesday’s oil and gas lease sale in New Orleans. He says oil and gas remain an important part of any comprehensive energy development plans. (Text)	:31
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says the administration’s position remains the same on the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, no drilling until the technology is proven. (Text)	:25

Audio	Summary	Length
3/10/2009: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar along with Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, spoke to the National Association of Counties this morning in Washington D.C.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar along with Secretary for Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, spoke to the National Association of Counties this morning in Washington D.C. Each addressed how their departments will carry out the President’s Recovery and Reinvestment plan and other issues effecting county governments.
	Topic: The Secretary announced that royalties for energy produced on public lands will return to a 50/50 split with the states where the energy comes from. (Text)	:24
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says a new energy super highway is planned to bring energy from public lands to population centers. (Text)	:17
	Topic: Secretary Salazar will work to restore landscapes to preserve them for future generations. (Text)	:35
	Topic: Secretary Salazar promised that the Department of the Interior will stay involved as a partner addressing water challenges facing the country. (Text)	:29

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3/4/2009: Secretary Salazar Tells Indian Country Recovery Package Includes Major Initiatives to Create Jobs, Stimulate Economic Activity
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, speaking to the to the 111th Congress of American Indians Tribal Nations Legislative Summit, today highlighted more than $2 billion in President Obama’s economic recovery package to create jobs and economic opportunity in Indian Country.
	Topic: The Secretary says close to a half billion of the money will come through Interior Department Programs. (Text)	:26
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says that Indian country will play a key role and benefit economically from the administration’s renewable energy development plans. (Text)	:33
	Topic: Secretary Salazar pledges to make education a top priority. (Text)	:32
	Topic: Secretary Salazar commented on the ongoing Cobell litigation. (Text)	:18

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2/12/2009: Secretary Salazar Pledges to Restore Trust, Strengthen Tribal Sovereignty, Promote Sustainable Economic Development
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar met with the Senate Indian Affairs committee on Capitol Hill on Thursday, February 12 to address the new administration’s commitment to Native Americans.
	Topic: Secretary Salazar on the priority of Native American issues within the Obama Administration. (Text)	:22
	Topic: Secretary Salazar's comments on economic recovery plan's investments in Native American communities. (Text)	:23
	Topic: Secretary Salazar on the need to bolster law enforcement in Indian Country: (Text)	:17

Audio	Summary	Length
2/10/2009: Secretary Salazar Details Strategy for Comprehensive Energy Plan on U.S. Outer Continental Shelf
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced a strategy Tuesday, February 10, extending public comment period on a proposed 5-year plan for oil and gas development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and calling for a detailed report from Interior agencies on conventional and renewable offshore energy resources.
	Topic: The Secretary says he will extend the comment period on the Bush administration’s 5-year plan by 180 days. (Text)	:35
	Topic: Secretary Salazar has directed scientists in the USGS and MMS to assemble all available information on offshore gas, oil and renewable resources, to help guide decisions on an offshore energy strategy.(Text)	:34
	Topic: Secretary Salazar will convene meetings in coastal areas to hear from stakeholders on offshore energy development. (Text)	:34
	Topic: Secretary Salazar describes the scale of what is at stake, given the area that the Department of the Interior oversees in the Outer Continental Shelf is nearly ¾ the size of the United States landmass. (Text)	:28

Audio	Summary	Length
2/9/2009: Interior Funding in Economic Recovery Act Would Create 100,000 Jobs
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was joined by Senator Benjamin Cardin, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Congressman John Sarbanes on Monday Februay 9 at the Patuxent Research Refuge and Wildlife Research Center in Maryland to highlight the job creation and conservation benefits of President Obama’s economic recovery plan, which is currently before Congress.
	Topic: The Secretary says the projects submitted as part of the stimulus package meet the criteria of job creation. (Text)	:19
	Topic: The research refuge, located between Washington and Baltimore, gained national renown as the place where researchers discovered the link between the pesticide DDT and the decline of many bird species. Secretary Salazar pledged he will work hard with the President to get the stimulus package passed. (Text)	:26
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says the 100,000 jobs that could be created by the Department of the Interior will help to stand up the country’s economy again. (Text)	:14

Audio	Summary	Length
2/4/2009: Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar Withdraws Oil and Gas Leases in Utah
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today withdrew 77 contested BLM oil and gas leases citing a need to review environmental considerations and consultation with other agencies as well as their proximity to national treasures. Below are excerpts from Wednesday’s teleconference on the decision.
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says the 77 leases were withdrawn to insure proper consultation with affected agencies and for environmental review. (Text)	:25
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says he will seek balance in use of the public’s natural resources and that oil and gas will continue to be part of America’s energy portfolio. (Text)	:47
	Topic: The area of the leases included Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Parks, Dinosaur National Monument, and Nine Mile Canyon. Secretary Salazar said the nation’s treasures must be protected. (Text)	:26
	Topic: Secretary Salazar repeated his charge from the President to reform the Department of the Interior on behalf of the American People. (Text)	:56

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1/28/2009: Secretary Salazar Hosts Media Roundtable
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar hosted a "pen and pad" meeting with journalists Wednesday morning in Washington D.C. and via teleconference. Below are excerpts from that meeting.
	Topic: The Secretary says his first priority is to restore the integrity and confidence of the American people. (Text)	1:03
	Topic: On the issue of energy production on public lands, Secretary Salazar says the Department of the Interior has a very central role in the nation's energy future. (Text)	:35
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says that energy exploration and global warming are strongly linked by science from USGS and the FWS. (Text)	:48
	Topic: Secretary Salazar comments on water conflicts and competing needs of agriculture, wildlife and municipalities. (Text)	:25
	Topic: Secretary Salazar says he wants to restore collaboration between the United States of America and Indian tribes across the country. (Text)	:48
	Topic: Community Service is a key White House Initiative to engage citizens, many for the first time, to participate in public service. The Department of the Interior Department has many opportunities for volunteers, Secretary Salazar said. (Text)	:32
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will meet with the staff of the Minerals Management Service's Denver office on January 29, 2009 and announce the first steps of his agenda to undertake reform at the Department of the Interior. The Secretary will hold a press conference following the meeting.