In Case You Missed It: Interior Continues to Safely Restore Access to Public Lands

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON - This week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt traveled to New Mexico and Arizona before joining President Donald J. Trump at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland to commemorate Memorial Day. The Secretary met with Tribal leadership, staff from the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and visitors to our public lands to ensure the Department of the Interior is safely restoring access to America’s public lands.  

Honoring America’s Heroes   

On Monday, President Donald J. Trump held a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland. Secretary Bernhardt joined the President to honor and memorialize the service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in defense of our great Nation.

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Upholding our Trust Responsibilities to Tribal Communities

Secretary Bernhardt met with Tribal leaders from the Navajo Nation and the All Pueblo Board of Governors to support their efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. He also visited the Gila River Indian Community along with Arizona Senator Martha McSally. In addition, the Secretary extended the comment period on the Farmington Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, which includes areas near Chaco Canyon National Historical Park, by 120 days as we work with Tribes to combat the coronavirus. Read the Albuquerque Journal’s article for more.

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Expanding Access to America’s Public Lands 

Secretary Bernhardt visited Petroglyph National Monument and Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge in Albuquerque, NM, which have remained accessible throughout the pandemic. Read the Albuquerque Journal’s article for more.

He also visited Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona to thank park staff for their work to safely restore access to the public.

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Public Lands Provide Opportunities for Communities to Thrive

Secretary Bernhardt was joined by Representative Paul Gosar (AZ-4) to announce two critical projects that support President Trump’s America First, all-of-the above energy development agenda. The land conveyance in La Paz County, AZ under the Dingell Act of 2019 will facilitate the development of a massive solar facility, that has the potential of producing up to 850 Megawatts of power, which would be the largest solar project in the nation. Read the Parker Pioneer's article for more.

The Secretary also announced the completion of a land exchange 26 years in the making. This final step allows for the expansion of hunting and recreation access, responsible mineral development and significant benefits for endangered species, riparian habitat and established wilderness areas in Pinal, Gila, and Mohave Counties in AZ.

Find more information here. 

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