Reorganization Q&A

Q. Why do you want to reorganize Interior? 

We need to:

  • Plan for the next 100 years of land and water management.
  • Shift resources to the field; less emphasis on Washington, D.C.
  • Improve coordination across our bureaus, and other agencies.
  • Empower the field to make it easier to resolve conflicts and be more responsive to the public on regional resource issues.

Q. What’s included in Interior’s reorganization?

  • Establish unified regional boundaries for Interior’s bureaus.
  • Designate Interior Regional Directors to coordinate our bureaus in unified regions.
  • Begin planning for shared services.
  • Start shifting some of BOR, BLM and FWS headquarters staff West.

Q. How did you choose the initial proposed unified boundaries?

  • Took a science-based approach looking at watersheds and ecosystems.
  • Proposed boundaries generally following county lines in these areas.
  • Have asked for employee, State, and Congressional input.
  • Plan for a final decision on common boundaries this spring.
  • Informal discussions held with Tribes – plan on formal consultation.
  • Roughly $18 million in budget to support common regional boundaries and shifting some staff to field.

Q. Are all of Interior’s bureaus involved in the reorganization?

  • We are still evaluating the options.
  • May treat the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement differently because they are only concerned with offshore areas.
  • Plan formal tribal consultation to determine appropriate level of BIA and BIE involvement.

Q. How would the Interior Regional Director idea work?

  • Getting feedback from field senior executives.
  • Regional Directors would work across bureaus to:
    • Resolve issues at the regional level
    • Promote communication
    • Facilitate State, local, and other Federal partnerships in the region

Q. What are the plans for shared functions or common services in the regions?

  • Exploring ideas to better deliver services and avoid duplication.
  • Considering value of joint permitting, law enforcement, recreation, personnel administration, and environmental compliance activities.

Was this page helpful?

Please provide a comment