Archive

WASHINGTON – Making good on a commitment from a robust review of the effectiveness of the Federal Subsistence Management Program in Alaska, the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Agriculture today updated regulations defining which parts of the state are rural or nonrural, thus determining where federal law provides a preference for subsistence take of fish and wildlife on federal public lands and waters in Alaska.  

WASHINGTON – As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to rural communities, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael L. Connor today announced that more than 1,900 local governments around the country will receive an additional $34.5 million in payments under the 2015 Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program.

The site, an unbroken expanse of 704,000 acres of rugged mountains and sweeping valleys, highlights the proud history of the West, from its earliest native peoples to more recent settlers and mining communities. 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Michael Bean today joined the San Antonio community to officially mark the dedication of the Spanish colonial missions in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

In light of current market conditions and low industry interest, the U.S. Department of the Interior today announced that it will cancel the two potential Arctic offshore lease sales scheduled under the current five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program for 2012-2017.

SEATTLE – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell joined U.S. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene today to discuss how scientific research can help communities in the Pacific Northwest become more resilient and reduce the risk of damage from natural disasters and severe storms.

Conducted at the Lucky Peak Helibase outside Boise, Idaho, the demonstration was the latest phase of Interior’s and the U.S. Forest Service’s exploration of new aviation technologies to improve the safety and effectiveness of wildland firefighters.

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Congressman Scott Peters today toured fire damaged areas in San Diego, received a briefing on current fire conditions and continued their calls to reform the way the federal government funds wildfire suppression efforts. 

WHITEWATER, Calif. – U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Michael Connor and USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie today visited the Mojave Desert of California to join a public meeting and hear from the community about its vision for the management of public lands in the region. 

SANTA FE, N.M. – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell joined state, tribal and local leaders to celebrate the designation of Valles Caldera National Preserve, one of the country’s newest additions to the National Park Service.