U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Office of Public Affairs NEWS RELEASE

MMS Restores Email and Web Access

Internet access and email has been restored for the Minerals Management Service. However, there will still be some difficulties with links and current information as the agency works to guarantee a safe and secure technical environment for users. MMS’ royalty reporting systems were restored last week.

The agency’s access to external email and the Internet have been down since last December when a federal judge court-ordered the shut down of public access to most internet websites and email with in the Department of the Interior.

MMS is the federal agency that manages the nation's oil, natural gas and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf in federal offshore waters. The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses mineral revenues from federal and Indian leases. These revenues totaled nearly $10 billion in 2001 and more than $120 billion since the agency was created in 1982. Annually, nearly $1 billion from those revenues go into the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the acquisition and development of state and federal park and recreation lands.

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