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Secretary Salazar hosted a rooftop reception for youth working for the Department of the Interior and its agencies under Washington, D.C. recovery act funding. The students included 55 working under the D.C. Summer Youth Employment Program and 26 working for the Youth Conservation Corps. more Salazar Calls Two-Year ‘Time-Out’ from New Mining Claims near Grand Canyon National Park
After carefully considering the issue of uranium mining near Grand Canyon National Park, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has decided to segregate nearly 1 million acres of federal lands in the Arizona Strip for two years while the Department evaluates whether to withdraw these lands from new mining claims for an additional 20 years. more
Interior Withdraws Legally Flawed Plan for Oregon Forests, Presses For
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![The First Family visits Yellowstone National Park. Visitation to our National Parks has increased in 2009. [Photo by Tami A. Heilemann - DOI]](../images/08172009-home-hi.jpg)
![OPM Director John Berry and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar have fun while helping Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan (left) and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood (right) pack up food for delivery in the Capitol area. [Photo by Tami A. Heilemann - DOI]](../images/072909-home-hires.jpg)
Old growth forest in Western Oregon. ( Photo courtesy BLM) Hi-Res |
Because the previous Administration failed to follow established administrative procedure before leaving office, its plan to intensify logging in western Oregon - known as the Western Oregon Plan Revisions (WOPR) - is legally indefensible and must be withdrawn, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced. more
- Q and A's
- Comments from Secretary Salazar and Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland
Secretary Salazar and Senator McCaskill Announce Two Major Projects in St. Louis under President’s Economic Recovery Plan
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The Gateway Arch in St. Louis will receive almost $1 million in Recovery Act funding to improve electrical systems. (Photo credit National Park Service) |
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Senator Claire McCaskill announced that the National Park Service will invest more than $5 million to undertake two major projects to renovate historic sites at the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial under President Obama’s economic recovery package. more
Salazar: Time Has Come to Reform Outdated Mining Law
Secretary Salazar told members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources that the time has come to update the nation’s 19th century mining law to ensure reasonable royalty payments for extracting gold, silver and other minerals from federal land and to provide more effective regulatory, clean-up and reclamation tools. more
Secretary Salazar Cites Interior's Efforts
To Develop Renewable Energy, Respond to Climate Change
The Department of the Interior is accelerating the development of renewable energy on its vast public lands and offshore areas “to help power President Obama’s vision for a new energy economy,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today. more
Salazar Welcomes First Visitors to Tour Re-Opened Crown of Statue of Liberty
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Secretary Salazar was joined by Governors David Paterson, Jon Corzine, Senator Robert Menendez, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Congressmen Gregory Meeks and Anthony Weiner to celebrate the Fourth of July by welcoming the first visitors to tour the crown of the Statue of Liberty since it was closed following the 9/11 attacks for safety and security reasons. The first thirty visitors, from all over the world, climbed the 354 steps to the crown accompanied by National Park Service rangers. more
- Take a virtual tour of the Statue of Liberty
- Follow the 4th of July Events on Flickr
- Follow Lady Liberty on Twitter
- Photos of the Event
Secretary Salazar Announces Recovery Act Award for Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region in California
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation's Mid-Pacific Region has issued a cooperative agreement award under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The $5.25 million award is for the Red Bluff Fish Passage Improvement Project on the Sacramento River in northern California. more
Secretary Salazar Announces $134.3 Million in Economic Recovery Investments to Improve Water Reclamation and Reuse in the West
Washington, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation has identified 27 water reclamation and reuse projects that will share in a total of $134.3 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The water projects - known as "Title XVI" projects for the title of Public Law 102-575 that established the program - facilitate the reclamation and reuse of wastewater and naturally impaired ground and surface waters. more
World Heritage Committee Takes Critical Step to Protect Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
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Heaven's Peak in Glacier National Park (Photo Credit: Glacier National Park) Hi-Res |
The 21-nation World Heritage Committee took an important step to protect Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park in Montana and Alberta, Canada, calling for a full report from a joint mission of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Heritage Centre on the potential threats from proposed coal mining and oil and gas development in the region. more
Secretary Salazar, Senator Reid Announce 'Fast-Track' Initiatives
for Solar Energy Development on Western Lands
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| The development of commercial solar arrays like this one for utility scale renewable energy production would be accelerated under Interior initiatives announced today. (Photo courtesy of Sandia National Laboratories) Hi-Res |
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) announced new initiatives today that will have federal agencies work with western leaders to designate tracts of U.S. public lands in the West as prime zones for utility-scale solar energy development, fund environmental studies, open new solar energy permitting offices and speed reviews of industry proposals. more
Secretary Salazar, Senior Administration and Congressional Officials Hold Town Hall Meeting on California Water Shortage
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| Secretary Salazar, Deputy Secretary David Hayes, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation Mike Connor and California Secretary for Natural Resources Mike Chrisman at a packed town hall meeting in Fresno to address the California water shortage. (Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann, DOI) Hi-Res |
At a town hall meeting in Fresno, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Mike Connor and members of the California Congressional Delegation today announced multiple steps the Obama Administration is taking to alleviate the heavy toll on Californians resulting from the ongoing water shortage. more
Secretary Salazar Announces $93 Million in Economic Recovery Investments to Improve Rural Water in the Dakotas
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Bureau of Reclamation has identified three Rural Water projects in North Dakota and South Dakota that will share $93 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). These investments will help address public health needs of rural and Native communities and create significant economic development in these distressed areas. more
Ceremonial Swearing in Ceremony Held for Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry EchoHawk
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Secretary Salazar, Assistant Secretary EchoHawk and other members of the secretary's staff participate in a Friendship Dance with members of the Shashone-Bannock Tribe. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI) Hi-Res |
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk was administered the oath of office by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today. The former Idaho state Attorney General and Brigham Young law professor is the department's eleventh individual to hold the position. Echo Hawk is an enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.
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Salazar Moves to Place Everglades National Park Back on
List of World Heritage Sites in Danger
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| A great egret habitat in Everglades National Park. (PhotoCredit: National Park Service). Hi-Res |
Secretary Salazar announced he is taking steps to have Everglades National Park added again to the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger by the United Nation’s World Heritage Committee. The Everglades was hastily removed from the list in 2007 at the request of the previous Administration without adequate consultations with the National Park Service, the state of Florida and other stakeholders and without appropriate measures in place to evaluate the progress of on-going efforts to restore the South Florida ecosystem.more
Secretary Salazar Announces Five Exploratory Leases for Offshore Wind Energy Development off Coasts of New Jersey and Delaware
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| Secretary Salazar was joined Governor of New Jersey Jon C. Corzine in Atlantic City, New Jersey to announce the ground-breaking exploratory leases. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI) Hi-Res |
In a major step forward in President Obama’s new energy frontier, Secretary Salazar issued five exploratory leases for renewable wind energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore New Jersey and Delaware. more
Secretary Salazar Kicks Off President Obama’s “United We Serve” at Shenandoah National Park
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| Secretary Salazar and volunteers from the Youth Conservation Corps kick off the United We Serve initiative in Shenandoah National Park.(Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI)Hi-Res |
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today joined volunteer and youth groups at Shenandoah National Park as part of a national kickoff for President Obama’s new “United We Serve” campaign. The Secretary helped the groups remove nonnative plants that have invaded the natural ecosystem adjacent to Big Meadows Swamp. more
Anne Castle Confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today lauded the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Anne Castle as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science. more
Hilary Tompkins Confirmed as Interior Solicitor
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar lauded the U.S. Senate's confirmation of Hilary Tompkins as Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, the agency's top general counsel. more
Sylvia V. Baca Named Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar named Sylvia V. Baca, a senior public and private sector manager in energy and environmental policy and programs, as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. The appointment does not require Senate confirmation. more
President Obama Announces United We Serve Initiative
The United We Serve initiative is a call to all Americans to dedicate time to volunteer work in their communities. This initiative will officially kick off on June 22, 2009, when Secretary Salazar and other members of the administration participating in service events throughout the country. In the meantime President Obama is encouraging Americans to get started now by visiting Serve.gov to register and find service opportunities in their areas.
Secretary Salazar Discusses Renewable Energy at Meeting of Western Governors Association
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar was in Park City, Utah on Monday at the annual meeting of the Western Governors Association where he participated in a discussion panel entitled "Tapping the West's Renewable Energy Potential." Secretary Salazar was joined by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff to provide perspectives on developing large amounts of clean energy in the West and to announce several Obama Administration initiatives to advance the development of a smarter electric grid and more reliable transmission system, protect critical wildlife corridors and habitats, promote the development of renewable energy sources, and lay the groundwork to integrate these energy sources onto the national electricity grid.
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| Secretary Salazar spoke at a plenary session on renewable energy at the annual meeting of the Western Governors Association in Park City, Utah. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI) Hi-Res |
Secretary Salazar Announces $381.6 Million in 2009 PILT Payments to
Local Governments with Federal Lands
Secretary Salazar announced 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. more
Interior Review Shines Light on Controversial Utah Oil and Gas Leases
A report released by the U.S. Department of the Interior reveals flaws in the process through which a controversial set of oil and gas leases were offered in Utah in the waning days of the previous Administration, including several near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and Dinosaur National Monument. more
Federal Agents Bust Ring of Antiquity Thieves Looting American Indian Sites
for Priceless Treasures
An unprecedented two-year undercover operation led by agents from Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the FBI began rounding up what prosecutors call a ring of archeological grave robbers who looted pristine sites in the Southwest, desecrated ancient American Indian burials and stole priceless artifacts, selling them to dealers and collectors who were associated with the network. more
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Secretary Salazar with a team from the Department of Justice and the FBI announce the indictments of 23 antiquity thieves. Left to right are Utah FBI Field Office Special Agent in Charge Timothy Fuhrman, U.S. Attorney in Utah, Brett Tolman, Secretary Salazar, Interior Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, Larry Echo Hawk and Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden. Hi-Res |
Bob Abbey Nominated for Director of the Bureau of Land Management
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar praised President Obama's announcement that he intends to nominate Bob Abbey, a veteran public land policy leader and chief architect of the Great Basin Restoration Initiative, as Director of the Bureau of Land Management. more
Sam Hamilton Nominated as Director of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar praised President Obama's announcement that he intends to nominate Sam D. Hamilton to be the next Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hamilton, a career senior biologist and manager with the Service, currently is director of the agency's Southeast Region. The nomination requires Senate confirmation. more
Interior Moves Quickly on Economic Recovery Projects in National Parks
Shenandoah National Park is one of 107 National Park |
| s that will have economic recovery projects underway in the next 100 days. (Photo Credit: National Park Service) Hi-Res |
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today informed President Obama and the Cabinet that the National Park Service will begin economic recovery projects at 107 national parks in next 100 days, creating new jobs and stimulating local economies while making parks better places for Americans to visit. more
Secretary Salazar Lays Groundwork for 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps
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Secretary Salazar announces the Office of Youth in Natural Resources at the Department of the Interior. Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland are also pictured. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI) Hi-Res |
Joined by Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett and several hundred schoolchildren on the National Mall, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today signed a Secretarial Order establishing an Office of Youth in Natural Resources at the Department of the Interior. more
Secretary Salazar Gives NPS and Landowners Deadline for Agreement for Flight 93 Memorial
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Secretary Salazar with Park Ranger Keith Newlin visits the citizen-created memorial at the site where United- Flight 93 crashed on September 11, 2001. (Photo credit: Tami A. Heilemann - DOI) Hi-Res |
Secretary Salazar reiterated his commitment to complete the Flight 93 Memorial in time for the 10th anniversary and directed Dan Wenk, Acting Director of the National Park Service, to negotiate for one more week to reach an agreement with the landowners over the property needed to build the memorial. The Park Service and the landowners have been working to find agreement for several years. more
Secretary Salazar Hosts First Offshore Renewable Workshop, Announces Efforts to Strengthen Migratory Bird Protections
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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, standing at left, congratulates Minerals Management Service Acting Director Walter Cruickshank and Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan W. Gould as they sign a Memorandum of Understanding. Also pictured is Brad Blythe, a Presidential Management Scholar at Interior. (Photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI) Hi-Res |
At the first of twelve regional public workshops on the Obama Administration's new offshore renewable energy program for the Outer Continental Shelf, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that the Department's Minerals Management Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have signed an agreement to strengthen the Department's efforts to protect and conserve migratory bird species during offshore renewable energy development. more
National Geological Carbon Capture Program Can Help Develop Cleaner Energy,
Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today sent Congress his recommendations for a national program to help reduce greenhouse gases by selecting appropriate underground geological formations on public lands to inject and store carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and other carbon-dioxide producing facilities. more
National Park Service Will Waive Fees on Three Summer Weekends
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado is one of the hundreds of National Parks that will offer fee-free weekends this summer. (Photo Credit: National Park Service) |
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar 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. There are 391 national parks located across the country in 49 states. more
- More information about Fee-Free Weekends
- Photos of Secretary's visit to Cuyahoga National Park where he made the announcement about fee free weekends.
- Find a National Park near you
Salazar Announces Public Workshops on Offshore Renewable Energy Program
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Department of the Interior will host 12 public workshops this month to discuss the newly-issued regulatory program for renewable energy development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. The new offshore renewable energy regulations become effective June 29, 2009. more