Department of the Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: July 26, 1996
Series: Organization
Part 105: Department
Chapter 1: Creation, Mission and Commitments
Originating Office: Office of Planning and Performance Management
105 DM 1
1.1 Creation. The Department of the Interior was created by act of Congress on
March 3, 1849. Transferred to the new Department were the General Land Office, the Office of Indian Affairs, the Pension Office, and the Patent Office. The Department was also given responsibility for supervision over the Commissioner of Public Buildings, the Board of Inspectors and the Warden of the Penitentiary of the District of Columbia, the census of the United States; and the accounts of marshals and other officers of the United States Court and of lead and other mines of the United States.
1.2 Evolution of Functions. Over the years, other functions were added to the Department, such as education, hospitals and charitable institutions, labor, railroad accounts, commercial fisheries, water pollution control, and interstate commerce. The creation of other executive departments and independent agencies later assigned some of these activities elsewhere. The role of the Department gradually changed from that of general housekeeper for the Federal Government to that of custodian of the Nation's natural resources.
1.3 Mission. The mission of the Department of the Interior is to protect and provide access to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to tribes.
1.4 Scope of Activities. The Department of the Interior manages the Nation's public lands and minerals, National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and western water resources and upholds Federal Trust responsibilities to Indian tribes. The Department has responsibility for migratory wildlife conservation, historic preservation, endangered species, protection and restoration of surface mined lands, mapping, and geological, hydrological, and biological science.
1.5 Commitments. In accomplishing this mission, the Department is committed to the following:
A. Restoring and maintaining the health of federally managed lands, waters, and renewable resources.
B. Preserving our Nation's natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
C. Providing recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy natural and cultural resources.
D. Providing for appropriate commercial use and development of federally managed natural resources in an environmentally sound manner.
E. Encouraging the preservation of diverse plant and animal species and protecting habitat critical to their survival.
F. Working to transfer Federal program operations to Tribal governments through Indian self-determination and self-governance agreements.
G. Protecting and conserving the trust resources of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and working with these tribes to enhance education, economic opportunities, and the quality of life for their members.
H. Advancing scientific research and monitoring to improve our understanding of the interaction of natural and human systems and to reduce the impacts of hazards caused by natural processes and human actions.
I. Providing useful scientific information for sound resource decision making.
J. Applying laws and regulations fairly and effectively, placing priority on compliance and enforcement, prevention and problem solving.
7/26/96 #3078
Replaces 11/1/88 #2816