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) 07/24/2008 12:45 PM http://www.doi.gov/images/doi_seal.jpg http://www.doi.gov/ BOSTON – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and National Park Service Director Mary Bomar on Friday, July 25 will visit Boston’s Old State House to mark the completion of the initial phase of the restoration of the Old State House. This vital preservation work, which represents the first completed construction project of the National Park Service Centennial Initiative, brings to a close the structural stabilization phase of the Society’s master plan for the Old State House. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080724b.html WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne met yesterday with his Mexican counterpart, Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, the Mexican Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, to discuss continued cooperation on conservation efforts between the two countries. The officials discussed common areas of concern and possible new opportunities for cooperation as well as their desire to further already flourishing cooperative efforts ranging from water management on the Colorado River Basin to the successful sister parks program. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080724a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. -- An exhibition of more than 50 photographs and drawings of historic American buildings is open to the public through Nov. 14, 2008, at the Interior Museum in the U.S. Department of the Interior. Entitled American Place: the Historic American Buildings Survey at Seventy-Five Years,the exhibit can be viewed at 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240 weekdays and some Saturdays. For more information, please call 202-208-4743, see the website: www.doi.gov/interiormuseum or find more details below. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080724.html WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management today published proposed regulations to establish a commercial oil shale program that could result in the addition of up to 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil from lands in the western United States. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080722.html WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, July 22, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will announce proposed regulations to establish a commercial oil shale program that could result in the addition of up to 800 billion barrels of recoverable oil from public lands in the western United States. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080718a.html Washington, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne recognized the 2008 Take Pride in America National Award recipients at a ceremony Friday, July 18 in Washington, D.C. Individuals and groups from across the country were recognized for their outstanding contributions to local, state, and federal public lands. This year, there were fifteen National Award winners representing twelve states and the District of Columbia. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080718.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a Record of Decision issued today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it will make land available for oil and gas leasing in the northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080716a.html A news media teleconference will be held by the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management to announce a decision on the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Supplemental Final Plan, Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080716.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will attend the National Park Service Superintendents Summit in Snow Bird, Utah beginning Wednesday, July 16, 2008 and continuing through Thursday, July 17, 2008. The Secretary will address the gathered superintendents and senior park leadership on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. MDT. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080715.html WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today issued the following statement in response to the President’s announcement that he intends to lift the Executive prohibition on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy exploration. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080714a.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today issued two orders that will strengthen Interior's wildland firefighting resources to help address severe conditions in California and bolster efforts across the West during this year's wildfire season. The actions could make several hundred additional employees available to assist in wildland fire suppression and support activities. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080714.html What: Media teleconference to discuss latest status of federal response to the California Wildfires. When: Friday, July 11, 2008, 2:00pm EDT http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080711a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today praised the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee’s listing of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve as a World Heritage site on Tuesday, July 8. Sites included on the World Heritage List are recognized by the international community as being among the world’s most significant natural and cultural treasures. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080711.html Washington, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today praised U.S. House of Representatives passage of HR 3981, legislation to permanently authorize the Preserve America and Save America's Treasures programs. The bill passed Tuesday night by a vote of 360-23. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080709.html WASHINGTON — With the goal of better preserving and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of the nation’s public lands and waters, five U.S. government agencies today joined the National Geographic Society in a ceremony at Society headquarters unveiling a ground-breaking framework to formally adopt the principles of geotourism. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080708.html On Tuesday, July 8, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, Undersecretary of Agriculture Mark Rey and other federal leaders will join National Geographic Society President and CEO John M. Fahey in a ceremony at the society headquarters unveiling a ground-breaking framework to formally adopt the principles of geotourism. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080707d.html Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett will join U.S. Representative John Salazar, local leaders and other Interior officials at a July 1 dedication ceremony to celebrate the recent completion of a fish passage at the Price-Stubb Diversion Dam and other capital projects in western Colorado to improve habitat for endangered fish. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080707c.html Jonah Compensation Mitigation Fund will help protect Pronghorn Migration Corridor from the Bridger-Teton National Forest to Pinedale, Wyoming http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080707b.html Washington, D.C. – At the direction of Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, on the Fourth of July the flags of all 50 states will fly beneath the American flags on the 50 flag poles encircling the Washington Monument. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080707a.html Washington, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today invited newly naturalized citizens, sworn in between July 4, 2008 and September 27, 2008 to enter National Parks free of charge on September 28, 2008. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080707.html Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will join California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for a briefing on the Whiskeytown Complex fires and the status of firefighting efforts throughout the state. Following the briefing, the Secretary and the Governor will hold a media availability. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080627.html WASHINGTON, D.C. – An exhibition of photographs by Judd Patterson entitled A Sea of Tallgrass: the Konza Prairie will open to the public on July 18, 2008 at the Interior Museum in the main U.S. Department of the Interior building in the nation’s capital. The exhibition will be on view until Sept. 12, 2008. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080626.html WASHINGTON – Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development – Indian Affairs George T. Skibine today announced a substantial enhancement in existing efforts to increase capital investment for business and economic development in Indian Country. Since the advent of the Indian Financing Act of 1974, Indian Affairs’ Guaranteed Loan, Insurance, and Interest Subsidy program has provided opportunities for tribal and Indian-owned businesses to obtain adequate credit in the capital investment market. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080625a.html On Thursday, June 26, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and the National Park Service will host members of the Diplomatic Corps near San Francisco. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080625.html WESTERN PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett today congratulated Governor Charlie Crist, the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for announcing their commitment to acquire up to 187,000 acres of U.S. Sugar Corporation land to enhance restoration of the Everglades. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080624.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne issued the following statement today on the tragic passing of Tim Russert. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080613.html As part of a suite of wetlands acquisition and conservation grant approvals, the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission today approved $4 million to purchase more than 18,000 acres of prime prairie wetland and associated grassland habitat for the Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern Minnesota – one of the largest purchases ever using dollars generated from Federal Duck Stamp sales and import duties on firearms and ammunition. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080612a.html The U.S. Department of Interior and the National Institutes of Health's We Can! program - a national education program to help children maintain a healthy weight - are encouraging children and families to get outside and play at a nearby national park or national wildlife refuge this weekend and beyond. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080612b.html Who: Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. What: Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce National Leaders Luncheon. Where: Hilton Hotel, Long Beach, 701 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, Calif. When: Friday, June 13, 2008, 11 a.m. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080611b.html On Thursday, June 12, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will deliver the keynote address at the commencement ceremony at San Gorgonio High School in San Bernardino, Calif. Secretary Kempthorne is a graduate of San Gorgonio High School, where he served as student body president. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080611a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, June 12, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will host a national news media teleconference to mark an important milestone in the department's wildland fire protection program under the National Fire Plan and to report on Interior's preparations for the 2008 wildland fire season. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080611.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will visit the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California to inspect hazardous fuels reduction projects. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080610.html WASHINGTON, D.C. — In the spirit of the 40th Anniversary of the National Trails System, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced today that he has designated 24 trails in 16 states as new National Recreation Trails, adding more than 1,100 miles of trails to the National Trails System. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080604.html WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today presented President’s Rank Awards or Secretary’s Executive Leadership Awards to 36 Senior Executive Service employees of the Department of the Interior at a ceremony at the main Interior building. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080528a.html WASHINGTON - George T. Skibine, a top career official in Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior, will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. Skibine is the Acting Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development - Indian Affairs. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080528.html WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced $1.8 million in grants to water districts for ten projects to improve delivery systems in California, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah. Including matching contributions of non-federal partners, the selected projects represent a combined investment of more than $3.77 million. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080527.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - With average national gas prices hovering around $4 per gallon, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management today released a study that shows vast untapped oil and natural gas resources exist on public lands in the United States. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080521.html C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management, will announce the results of a nationwide inventory of oil and gas resources on Federal public lands and the extent of restrictions and impediments to the development of these energy resources. The inventory was mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 2000, as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This latest inventory provides the first truly national assessment of limitations placed on Federal onshore oil and gas resources. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080520.html In a plan released today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it would make land available for leasing in the Northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) that could yield nearly 3 billion barrels of oil, equaling one quarter of the oil produced over the last 31 years by North America's largest oilfield in Prudhoe Bay. The lands could also provide trillions of cubic feet of gas for shipment to North American markets through gas pipelines currently in the planning stages. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080516.html In a press conference on May 14, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced that he is accepting the recommendation of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080514a.html WASHINGTON, D.C. - TODAY (Wednesday, May 14), at 2:30 p.m. at the Department of the Interior, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will make a major announcement on the status of the polar bear. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080514.html WASHINGTON, D.C.— Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today presented 92 awards at the 65th Honors Convocation of the Department of the Interior. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/080513a.html 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