Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar testifies before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on Feb. 12, 2009. [Photo Credit: Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC] Hi-Res

Secretary Salazar Pledges to Restore Trust, Strengthen Tribal Sovereignty, Promote Economic Development

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today pledged to restore integrity in government relations with Indian tribes, fulfill the United States’ trust responsibilities to Native Americans, and work cooperatively to build stronger economies and safer American Indian communities. The Secretary's first formal testimony to Congress was addressed to the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. more

• Full Text of Secretary Salazar's Statement
• Audio of Secretary Salazar's Statement

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, center, cuts the ribbon at the re-opening of Ford's Theatre National Historic Site on Feb. 11, 2009. Participating in the ribbon-cutting are, from left, D.C. Council Member Jack Evans; Mayor Adrian Fenty; Secretary Salazar; NPS acting Director Dan Wenk (behind Secretary); NPS superintendent Kym Elder; Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign Chairman Rex Tillerson; Paul Tetreault, managing director of the Ford's Theatre Society; and Wayne Reynolds, chairman of the society's Board of Trustees. [NPS photo by Terry Adams] Hi-Res

Secretary Salazar Helps
Re-Open Ford’s Theater

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today joined leaders of the Ford’s Theater Society, the National Park Service and the District of Columbia at a news conference and ribbon-cutting to re-open Ford’s Theatre after its 18-month renovation. The event initiated the celebration of the bicentennial of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln. “I’d like to think that the spirit of President Abraham Lincoln is here with us today to celebrate not only his 200th birthday but the re-opening of Ford’s Theater,” Secretary Salazar said at the ribbon-cutting. “I think he would have liked to experience how a wonderful partnership has brought this theater and its educational programs into the 21st century.” more

• Full Text of Secretary Salazar's Remarks
• Audio of Secretary Salazar's Remarks

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar unveils his strategy for a proposed 5-year plan for oil and gas development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf. [Photo Credit: Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC] Hi-Res

Secretary Salazar Details Strategy
for Comprehensive Energy Plan on
U.S. Outer Continental Shelf

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Saying he needed to restore order to a broken process, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced his strategy for developing an offshore energy plan that includes both conventional and renewable resources.

His strategy calls for extending the public comment period on a proposed 5-year plan for oil and gas development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf by 180 days, assembling a detailed report from Interior agencies on conventional and renewable offshore energy resources, holding four regional conferences to review these findings, and expediting renewable energy rulemaking for the Outer Continental Shelf.  more

• Full Text of Secretary Salazar's Remarks
• Audio of Secretary Salazar's Remarks

Congressman John Sarbanes, Senator Benjamin Cardin, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer today visited Patuxent Research Refuge and Wildlife Research Center in Maryland to highlight the job creation and conservation benefits of President Obama’s economic recovery plan. [Photo Credit: Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC] Hi-Res

Interior Funding in Economic Recovery Act Would Create 100,000 Jobs

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senator Benjamin Cardin and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Congressman John Sarbanes today visited Patuxent Research Refuge and Wildlife Research Center in Maryland to highlight the job creation and conservation benefits of President Obama’s economic recovery plan, which is currently before Congress. The investments in the Department of the Interior that are included in the President’s plan would create an estimated 100,000 jobs over the next two years. Both the House and Senate versions of the bill include over $4 billion in investments in conservation projects, water infrastructure, roads, Native American schools, and other ready-to-go projects. more

• Audio of Secretary Salazar's Remarks

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Nedra Darling, Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Public Information Office listen to the Honor Song by the Black Bear Singers. [Photo Credit: Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC] Hi-Res

Secretary Salazar, Interior Employees Welcome First Lady Michelle Obama

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today welcomed First Lady Michelle Obama to the Department of the Interior, hailing her as “a rock for the future of the nation.” The third visit of the First Lady to a federal department featured a ceremony rooted in Interior’s responsibilities to Native Americans--Indian drum rolls and presentation of a shawl marking her achievements. Joined by some of the department’s longest-serving employees on stage, the First Lady and Secretary thanked all employees for their service and reaffirmed President Barack Obama’s commitment to the environment as part of the economic stimulus package for which he is currently touring the country as well as his commitment to respecting sovereign Indian nations. more

• Secretary's Remarks
• First Lady's Remarks to Interior Employees
• Audio of First Lady's Remarks
• Video of Secretary's and First Lady's Remarks
• View Additional Photos

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced a major decision to withdraw 77 parcels from a federal oil and gas lease sale held in December, 2008. [Photo Credit: Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC] Hi-Res

Secretary Salazar Restores Balance in Controversial Last-Minute Oil and Gas Lease Sale near Utah National Parks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Land Management would withdraw leases that were offered on 77 parcels of U.S. public land near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dinosaur National Monument, and Nine Mile Canyon.  The leases on these 77 parcels are the subject of litigation in U.S. District Court.  more

About the Department of the interior
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is the nation’s principal conservation agency. Interior is a large, decentralized agency with over 67,000 employees and 180,000 volunteers located at approximately 2,400 operating locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and freely associated states. more
Mission Statement	History
Key Officials	Past Secretaries
Organizational Chart	Quick Facts
DOI In the News	Strategic Plan
DOI en Español	Interior Library
Significant Guidance Documents
Below are links to some DOI sites that may be of interest:
Water	Science
Floods	Astrogeology at USGS
Supply in the West	Hurricanes
Conservation	Earthquakes
Resources	Energy
Land	Wildlife
Fire	Endangered Species
Maps	Habitats & Conservation
Parks / Refuges / BLM Lands	Wild Horse & Burro Adoption
Offshore Lands/Volcanoes	Duck Stamps
Communities	InfoLinks
Special Trustee	Healthy Forests
Indian Trust	Avian Influenza Information
Territories and Islands	2005 Hurricane Recovery