http://www.doi.gov/news.html U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) latest news releases. en-us webteam@ios.doi.gov (DOI Office of Communications (Web Content Manager) 05/13/2008 8:40 AM http://www.doi.gov/images/doi_seal.jpg http://www.doi.gov/ Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will present awards at the 65th Honors Convocation of the Department of the Interior on May 13 at l p.m. in the Sidney Yates Auditorium of the Main Interior Building. The awards honor employees of the department and its agencies as well as private citizens who have performed acts of heroism in emergencies or demonstrated longstanding excellence in serving Interior’s mission. The awards include Safety Awards, Distinguished Service Awards, Citizen’s Awards for Bravery, Valor Awards and Meritorious Service Awards. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080513.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today praised President Bush's signing of legislation that authorizes a delegate from the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands to the U.S. House of Representatives and extends U.S. immigration laws to the territory. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080512.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne has named Douglas W. Domenech to be Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080509a.html On Monday, May 12, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will deliver the keynote address at the Department's Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony that will honor Interior officers who have died in the line of duty. The Secretary will also lead a wreath laying as part of the ceremony in remembrance of the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to the nation. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080509.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will be the main speaker for the graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa., this weekend. On Friday evening, he will address approximately 150 students receiving graduate degrees. On Saturday, he will address a crowd including approximately 1,000 undergraduates plus faculty, family and friends. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080508b.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman on Monday, May 5, 2008, sent the attached energy-related letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080508a.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today applauded the House Natural Resources Committee for its unanimous passage of substitute amendment to H.R. 3094 that would create a permanent fund to pay for large-scale projects at National Parks across the country as part of the National Park Centennial Initiative. The Initiative, announced in 2006, proposed an innovative federal Centennial Challenge matching fund that would be used to match philanthropic contributions for the benefit of our national parks between now and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080508.html The Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) today announced the creation of a new expert panel to evaluate the current federal historic preservation program and make recommendations toward its continuous improvement. Ten experts and stakeholders in the field of historic preservation have been selected by the co-chairs of the Preserve America Steering Committee—Deputy Secretary of the Interior P. Lynn Scarlett and ACHP Chairman John L. Nau, III—as an independent review panel. The Expert Panel includes individuals from different perspectives who agree to represent their own viewpoints and interests. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080505.html WASHINGTON - Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett will participate in a Take Pride in America cleanup volunteer project at the C and O Canal National Historical Park, Saturday, May 3 at 8:30 a.m. In addition, Deputy Secretary Scarlett will honor an outstanding volunteer with the President's Volunteer Service Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080502.html WASHINGTON - The public is invited to a free workshop at the Department of the Interior on May 7, 2008 with Professor Marcia Eames-Sheavly from Cornell University, who will share how to engage young people in outdoor spaces such as gardens and parks. This workshop will provide educators, parents, childcare providers and park and garden professionals with ideas and concepts to help them get kids outside and involved in the natural world. Due to limited space, reservations are required and may be made by calling (202) 208-5805. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080430a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced the beginning of a 60-day public comment period on updates to regulations regarding the carrying of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges. The proposed update to existing regulations would allow an individual to carry a concealed weapon in national parks and wildlife refuges if, and only if, the individual is permitted to carry a concealed weapon and is authorized to do so on similar state lands in the state in which the national park or refuge is located. The proposed update is available in the Federal Register and on www.doi.gov. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080430.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced today that Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Carl Artman will be leaving the Department of the Interior effective May 23, 2008. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080429.html WASHINGTON – Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Jerold L. “Jerry” Gidner today announced that he has named Dale Morris as Regional Director of the BIA’s Pacific Regional Office in Sacramento, Calif. Morris, an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, had been serving as chief of the regional office’s natural resources division since 2004. His new appointment became effective on April 27, 2008. The Pacific Regional Office oversees four agencies serving the 102 federally recognized tribes located within the State of California. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080428.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, on Monday, April 28, will present the keynote luncheon address at the Great Smoky Mountains Sustainable Tourism Summit at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tenn. The Summit, designed to honor the 75th Anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will be held April 28 - 29. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080425b.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will join local youth on the National Mall to celebrate National Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The Secretary will join the children as they participate in multiple activities, including National Mall Bingo, personalized flower planting and a Family Fun-Walk around the Lincoln Reflecting Pool and then swear the children in as official National Park Service Junior Rangers at a ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080425a.html New York, NY - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, joined by the Commandant of Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a member of Ulysses S. Grant's family, will honor Grant's 186th birthday on Sunday, April 27 at 11 a.m. at the General Grant National Memorial in New York City. The event, on the final day of National Park Week, honors the man who signed the law creating Yellowstone National Park, America's first national park. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080425.html (Washington) – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today unveiled the 110 national park improvement projects and programs that will get underway this spring, funded by an equal combination of public and private funds, under President Bush’s National Park Centennial Initiative. The Initiative, announced in 2006, proposed an innovative federal Centennial Challenge matching fund that would be used to match philanthropic contributions for the benefit of our national parks between now and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080424.html HONOLULU, HI – In the spirit of Earth Day, Hawai‘i Governor Linda Lingle, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett, and Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), gathered at historic Washington Place today to announce the availability of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Draft Management Plan and associated Environmental Assessment for public review and comment. Once completed, the documents will guide the future management of this unique and fragile part of Hawai‘i during the next 15 years. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080423a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday April 24, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will announce, at a press conference on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, the final list of Centennial Challenge Projects and Programs to be funded in 2008. An initial Congressional appropriation of $24.6 million has been matched by nearly $27 million from friends groups and other national park supporters to allow for more than $51 million worth of Centennial Projects to be undertaken this year. More than 100 projects and programs in national parks across the country will be funded this year. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080423.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Restore New Mexico Partnership as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421s.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized The Northern Forest Woodcock Initiative as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421u.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized The Student Conservation Association-Mount Rainier Partnership as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421w.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne presented the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award to two model programs in the West that work to preserve endangered fish through multi-stakeholder collaboration. The programs are the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming and the San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program in Colorado and New Mexico. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421l.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Matanuska-Susitna Salmon Habitat Conservation Partnership as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421k.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421h.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday April 24, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will announce, at a press conference on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol, the final list of Centennial Challenge Projects and Programs to be funded in 2008. An initial Congressional appropriation of $24.6 million has been matched by nearly $27 million from friends groups and other national park supporters to allow for more than $51 million worth of Centennial Projects to be undertaken this year. More than 100 projects and programs in national parks across the country will be funded this year. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421r.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Milsap Mill Tailings Restoration Partnership as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421v.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the partnership of the University of Alaska Coastal Marine Institute and the Minerals Management Service as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421t.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the outstanding contributions of the late Dr. Mark Benedict of West Virginia for "furthering the Department's conservation mission and promoting community-based collaboration." Accepting the award on behalf of Dr. Benedict were his wife, Georgia Jeppesen, and their son, Skylar Jeppesen Benedict. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421q.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized The Southwestern Bald Eagle Management Committee and its Nestwatch program in Arizona as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421p.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Upper San Pedro Partnership of southeastern Arizona as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421m.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized Tavita Togia, a Samoan biologist with the National Park of American Samoa, as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421o.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized South Arkansas Sparta Aquifer Recovery Partnership as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421n.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Willamette River Water Trail Partnership as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421j.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Hooper Bay Alaska Subsistence ATV Trail Project Partnership as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421i.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Jupiter Inlet Working Group as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421g.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Animas River Stakeholders Group in Colorado as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421e.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Great Northern Environmental Stewardship Area in Montana as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421d.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the outstanding contributions of the Penobscot River Restoration Trust to recover endangered wild Atlantic salmon in the United States. The Maine partnership is one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421c.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the East Bay Wetland and Water Quality Protection Project in Texas as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. The project was honored for "exemplary collaborative work sustaining threatened marshland habitat" and providing a "model for efficient and collaborative protection of shorelines in the Galveston Bay system." http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421b.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - At a ceremony in the nation's capital today, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group in California as one of 21 recipients nationwide of the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today presented the Department of the Interior's Cooperative Conservation Award to 21 finalists at an event that marked "a fitting start to a week of Earth Day activities" in the nation's capital. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080421.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Underscoring President Bush's proclamation declaring April 19 - April 27 as National Park Week, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today urged Americans to visit the national parks to experience the natural beauty, majesty and inspirational history of our special places and to show their commitment to this uniquely American idea. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080418b.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will present the Department of the Interior’s Cooperative Conservation Award to 21 finalists at a ceremony in the Main Interior Building on Monday, April 21. The event marks the start of week-long Earth Day (April 22) celebrations in the nation’s capital. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080418a.html Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Carl J. Artman and South Dakota Senator John Thune yesterday unveiled their joint proposal for a South Dakota Indian and Tribal Business Incubator Project to help accelerate economic development throughout the state’s nine federal Indian reservations. The project will target the Cheyenne River Sioux, Crow Creek Sioux, Flandreau Santee Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Rosebud Sioux, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Standing Rock Sioux and Yankton Sioux tribes. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080418.html WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne has appointed four members to the Department’s Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee, which recommends effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their habitats from land-based wind energy facilities. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080417a.html FORT PITT MUSEUM, Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh native Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett and officials from Ambridge, Pittsburgh, and Washington County today celebrated the Preserve America Community designation awarded to Ambridge and Pittsburgh. A designation certificate signed by First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of Preserve America, was presented recognizing the communities' work to preserve, protect and celebrate the unique history and heritage they contain. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080417.html On April 17 at the Fort Pitt Museum at Point State Park, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will present the city of Pittsburgh and the borough of Ambridge with Preserve America Designations signed by Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and Honorary Chair of Preserve America. A special certificate also will be given to Washington County, which has been awarded $120,000 for its heritage tourism efforts by the National Park Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080416.html Joined by other dignitaries at opening ceremonies for the new Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center today, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Lyle Laverty praised the new center, saying it will help both the environment and the economy. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080415.html The Bureau of Land Management will complete its cleanup of the East Teshekpuk Lake well site by the end of this month, the BLM’s Alaska State Office announced today. The government “legacy” well, one of 136 such wells managed by the BLM, is located on a peninsula on the lake’s eastern shore, approximately 100 miles southeast of Barrow. Wind-driven erosion has gradually exposed buried solid waste and breached the back-filled reserve pit at the site, which poses a potential threat to Teshekpuk Lake, the North Slope’s largest freshwater lake. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080414.html Assistant Secretary Indian Affairs Carl Artman today announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Great Plains Regional office will host the 10th Annual Great Plains Tribal Economic Development Summit April 15-16, 2008, in Sioux Falls, S.D. The theme for this year’s summit, “Contemporary Economic Resources for Great Plains Tribes,” reflects a renewed commitment to the Bureau’s overall emphasis on modernization. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080411.html WASHINGTON, DC – Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett today asked the Senate Energy and Natural Resources National Parks Subcommittee to authorize the Preserve America and Save America’s Treasures programs. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080409a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. — Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett, along with Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Chairman John L Nau III, today announced 43 Preserve America grants in 25 states totaling $2.9 million. The application period for round two of 2008 is now open with a deadline of June 30 to apply for grants of $4.3 million to be awarded in September. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080409.html Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett, along with Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Chairman John L Nau III, will announce Preserve America grants in 25 states on a teleconference on Monday, April 7. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080404.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced that the department has officially named a key public land site in northern Wyoming in honor of the late U.S. Senator Craig Thomas, who was a major advocate for public lands in the West. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080331.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will join National Park Service Director Mary Bomar, National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Peggy O’Dell and partner organizations to unveil new and enhanced visitor services on the National Mall in time for the 2008 Cherry Blossom Festival. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080327.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today applauded President Bush's intention to nominate Kameran L. Onley for the position of Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science. Onley has performed the responsibilities of the position since July 2007 in addition to serving as Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Interior since January 2006. The nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080326.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced more than $6.2 million in grants will go to 38 Native American projects in 18 states to fund a wide range of conservation projects nationwide. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080321.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced more than $57.9 million in grants to 23 states and one territory to support conservation planning and acquisition of vital habitat for threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plants. (a list of states receiving grants is included below) The grants, awarded through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund, will benefit numerous species ranging from the red-cockaded woodpecker to the Lake Erie watersnake. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080320.html NEW ORLEANS — Two federal sales of offshore oil and natural gas leases in the Eastern and Central Gulf of Mexico attracted more than $3.7 billion in high bids today, inaugurating enhanced revenue sharing with oil and gas producing Gulf states, instituting higher royalty rates and underscoring the region’s continuing importance as a vital source of domestic energy production for the nation. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080319a.html PHOENIX - Following approval by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, the largest Indian water rights settlement in U.S. history is now fully in effect, concluding more than three decades of extraordinary effort by federal, state and tribal leaders to resolve critical water use issues facing tribal communities and the State of Arizona. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080318.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Wednesday, March 19, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will officially open the Minerals Management Service's Lease Sales 206 and 224 for the Gulf of Mexico. Sale 224 is the first oil and natural gas sale to include the immediate revenue sharing provisions for Gulf States that were mandated by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080317.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today issued the 2008 Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for the operation of Colorado River reservoirs and distribution of Colorado River water to Arizona, Nevada and California. A letter transmitting the approved AOP was sent to the governors of each of the seven Colorado River Basin States. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080314.html Interior Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Stephen Allred today advised Gov. Bill Ritter and the State of Colorado on the Department’s Roan Plateau management plan, which includes objectives proposed by Gov. Ritter, places more than half of the plateau’s federal land off limits to ground disturbance and restricts energy development to no more than one percent of the remaining land at any one time. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080313.html Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Carl J. Artman today announced that the Interior Department has published final regulations in the Federal Register implementing Title V of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58) regarding Tribal Energy Resource Agreements (TERAs) under the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self-Determination Act. The regulations will become effective on April 9, 2008. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080311.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne this morning opened jet tubes at Glen Canyon Dam to release about 41,500 cubic feet of Colorado River water into the Grand Canyon. The Secretary's action launched a scientific experiment aimed at learning more about how to improve the river for wildlife and visitors. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080305.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will open the jet tubes at Glen Canyon Dam on Wednesday, Mar. 5, that will launch an experiment using high flows from Glen Canyon Dam to study how to improve Colorado River resources in Grand Canyon National Park. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080304.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - The following is the text of a letter sent last night by Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Jim Connaughton to the governors of Alabama, Georgia and Florida regarding the water negotiations among the three states. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080301.html