Secretary's Reorganization Update

Interior Team,

In response to President Trump’s March 13, 2017 Executive Order to reorganize the executive branch, I have worked with many of you over the past year on a plan to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of the Department of the Interior by reorganizing certain Agency functions and Bureaus.

You have been an important part of the process; I appreciate all the feedback you have given to help reorganize DOI to be a better steward of the land and wildlife that we manage, and better meet the needs of the American people in the 21st century.

Today, President Trump reaffirmed our reform efforts when he announced a proposal to merge administrative responsibilities of other Agencies into DOI to improve the efficiency of the regulatory process.

First, under the proposal, the Department of Commerce’s National Marine Fisheries Service would return to DOI and merge with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This would consolidate the administration of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act into one Agency within DOI. This merger would also combine the two Agencies’ science and management capacity, resulting in more consistent Federal fisheries and wildlife policy and improved service to the public, particularly on infrastructure permitting.

Second, DOI would take on certain duties of the Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works, including flood and storm damage reduction, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and other regulatory activities. This realignment would allow for more rational public policy outcomes and better investments.

Third, some of DOI’s environmental cleanup programs would be consolidated into the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund program. This consolidation would reduce the number of decisions and approvals, eliminate policy inconsistency among Agencies, and expedite the cleanup of contaminated sites.

These proposed reforms underscore the Administration’s commitment to put the American people first and hold the Government accountable. They align with our efforts at DOI to reduce administrative redundancy and jurisdictional and organizational barriers to citizen service, share resources more effectively, improve coordination, and facilitate joint problem solving and effective decision making.

With your continued support, we will make DOI a more effective agency.

I am proud of the work you are doing. Thank you for the passion, dedication, and service you bring to your jobs each day. We will continue to engage with you all as we move forward. In addition, we will continue to communicate with Congress and various stakeholders who will play a part in making this reorganization a success.
 
If you have ideas or questions, please don’t hesitate to share them by emailing reorg@doi.gov or visiting www.doi.gov/employees/reorg.

Sincerely,
Secretary Zinke

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