STATEMENT

BEFORE THE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

ROBERT J. LAMB

ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR

POLICY, MANAGEMENT, AND BUDGET

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

MAY 9, 2001

As you are aware, the Department manages over 451 million acres and is, as a result, the primary federal land management agency. Each of the Department's land management bureaus have their own unique mission and special responsibilities for the lands, resources, and infrastructure under their jurisdiction. The National Park Service, with 84 million acres, is the best known to the public for its role in preserving, protecting and interpreting the Nation's natural, cultural, and historic lands and resources. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages 94 million acres for the conservation and protection of fish and wildlife, while allowing compatible development activities and recreational opportunities for the public.

The Bureau of Land Management also supports a variety of uses on the lands which they administer -- 264 million acres -- including recreation, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, fish and wildlife habitat, and wilderness. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is responsible for 56 million acres of Indian Country land covering 35 different states, and the Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for managing a large segment of the West's water and hydro power resources. Of particular concern in this regard, the Department, through the Bureau of Reclamation, is responsible for the management of 348 dams and 58 power plants -- making Reclamation the second largest hydropower producer in the nation. Grand Coulee, Hoover, and Shasta dams, to name but a few, are significant sources of electric power, water, and flood control protection for large populations in the West. Furthermore, the millions of people who live downstream from Reclamation facilities depend upon the Department to protect their health and safety.

The Department's workforce is as diverse as its responsibilities, with approximately 70,000 employees, many of whom tend to these resources and infrastructure, and each year well over 467 million people visit our public lands, parks, refuges, and monuments.

The Department faces many challenges today from threats posed by individuals and groups that take issue with our government's policies. Unfortunately, the number and severity of these threats are growing. In the last several years we have had to respond to threats to some of our most priceless national treasures: the Liberty Bell; Mount Rushmore; the Statue of Liberty; and monuments in Washington, D.C. In addition, extremists have fire bombed our facilities, such as the Wild Horse Corrals in Burns, Oregon and the Lake Meade Dispatch Center in Boulder City, Nevada.

The Department's lands are also used by militant extremist groups for weapons, explosives, and tactics training. We find our lands being used as hiding places for terrorists on the run, for example, Eric Rudolph and the three suspects involved in the Four Corners shootout in Colorado in 1998 may have been hiding on federal lands. Interior lands along the country's international borders are used as a conduit by foreign terrorists whose goal is to gain entry to the United States by avoiding legitimate ports of entry.

Although the Department is not a primary agency in the effort to combat terrorism, it does play a significant role. The Department participates in many activities with the goal of preventing terrorist incidents. Security at its facilities has been and remains a top priority. Significant efforts to prevent acts of terrorism have been initiated at the Main Interior Building, other Departmental critical structures, and prominent national monuments. In addition, we have established a Critical Infrastructure Protection program for enhanced security at key Interior facilities. There are a total of 106 mission essential facilities, including four which are national critical infrastructure facilities.

We are here today to discuss, primarily, the different agencies' views on catastrophic terrorist events. From the Department's perspective, it is these critical and mission essential facilities where the greatest threat from a catastrophic terrorist event may lie. Indeed, threats against Grand Coulee Dam and other vital facilities are fairly common. A successful terrorist act against one of these critical facilities could have large repercussions for a significant population in the West. Working to prevent such an event, the Bureau of Reclamation participates on the Interagency Forum on Infrastructure Protection, among other things. This forum deals with issues relating to the protection of our many dams and hydroelectric power generating facilities.

In addition, in order to gain the information needed to prevent terrorist incidents, the Department participates with organizations such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation Counterterrorism Center and many regional counterterrorism task forces. Under the auspices of the Security Policy Board, established by Presidential Decision Directive 29 to consider, coordinate, and recommend policy directives for security policies, procedures, and practices, the Department participates as an active member of the Security Policy Forum to develop a cooperative effort and policies to combat terrorism.

Interior's law enforcement and security professionals have also developed response plans and are prepared to support crisis response activities regarding terrorist incidents associated with its responsibilities. The Department also has a Continuity of Operations program, which would work to minimize disruptions to important Departmental business activities following a terrorist event.

While the Department necessarily must focus on protecting its important infrastructure, this does not detract from the other, more visible aspects of its role in combating terrorism on domestic soil. The United States Park Police supports activities to insure the security of the President, Vice President, and foreign dignitaries visiting the Nation's capital. It works closely with the District of Columbia's Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, in preventing terrorist incidents against senior leadership. This support includes motorcade aerial support, K-9 support for explosive sweeps, and motorcade escorts throughout the city.

The Department has also determined the scope of what needs to be done in computer security, and is beginning the use of structured methodologies for developing the agency's computer security program. In 2000, the Department began development of its information technology security plan and has just begun agency-wide review. That security plan provides a framework for ensuring that computer security at Interior meets the requirements specified in Public Laws, Executive Branch directions, and Federal standards.

Finally, the Department feels that the best return on investments made in combating terrorism are those spent at the local level. Following that philosophy, the Department has been successful in implementing a number of initiatives that have provided cost-effective safeguards and capabilities, including the establishment of the Department's Critical Infrastructure Protection program, enhanced security at all Departmental facilities, and the ability and willingness to deploy Special Event Teams to locations when credible, specific threats are received.

In closing, I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and the Committee, for this opportunity to discuss the Department of the Interior's role in combating terrorism here at home. It is an important role, and one that the Secretary has indicated will be taken seriously during her tenure. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my testimony, and I am happy to address any questions you might have.