www.doi.gov
The Cherry Blossom Web Camera is one of several webcams available on www.doi.gov.
The Cherry Blossom Web Camera is one of several webcams available on www.doi.gov.
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced that more than $1.5 billion will be distributed to local governments that qualify for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program.

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced that more than $1.5 billion will be distributed to local governments that qualify for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes program.Hi-Res

$1.5 Billion to
State, County
Governments
in Full Funding
of Payments in
Lieu of Taxes

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced that more than $1.5 billion will be distributed through 2012 to local governments that qualify for the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, which provides compensation for taxes that could not be levied on federal lands in their jurisdictions. Under new authorization for the PILT program, state and county jurisdictions will receive their first full PILT entitlement payments since 1994. "I am extremely pleased that these communities, which provide important assistance in supporting federal lands, will be receiving their full compensation," Kempthorne said. "We appreciate their help and recognize that these local governments provide essential services to communities across the country, including education, transportation, firefighting and emergency response. These payments will help to fund these critical programs." moremore


Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne signed an order extending the authorization of Take Pride in America within the Department of the Interior through the year 2010.

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne signed an order extending the authorization of Take Pride in America within the Department of the Interior through the year 2010. Hi-Res

Secretary Kempthorne Signs Order to
Continue Take Pride in America®

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne signed an order extending the authorization of Take Pride in America within the Department of the Interior through the year 2010. The program, designed to encourage volunteerism on public lands, had been set to expire on November 1, 2008. The national program strengthens public lands stewardship through strategic priorities: engaging youth in service, promoting voluntourism, and supporting beautification as an economic development strategy.  moremore


The United States is already the world leader in generating electricity using geothermal energy, with about 16,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity generated in 2005.  Almost half of this production and 90 percent of U.S. geothermal resources occur on Federal lands. Twenty-nine geothermal power plants currently operate on Bureau of Land Management lands in California, Nevada and Utah, with a total generating capacity of 1,250 megawatts – enough to supply the needs of 1.2 million homes. [Photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC]

The United States is already the world leader in generating electricity using geothermal energy, with about 16,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity generated in 2005. Almost half of this production and 90 percent of U.S. geothermal resources occur on Federal lands. Twenty-nine geothermal power plants currently operate on Bureau of Land Management lands in California, Nevada and Utah, with a total generating capacity of 1,250 megawatts – enough to supply the needs of 1.2 million homes. Hi-Res

Kempthorne Launches Initiative to Spur Geothermal Energy and Power Generation on Federal Lands

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced a plan to make more than 190 million acres of Federal land in 12 western states available for development of geothermal energy resources, an initiative that could increase electric generation capacity from geothermal resources ten times over. “Geothermal energy will play a key role in powering America’s energy future,” Kempthorne said, “and 90 percent of our nation’s geothermal resources are found on Federal lands. Facilitating their leasing and development under environmentally sound regulations is crucial to supplying the secure, clean energy American homes and businesses need.” Under the development scenario outlined in the plan, the initiative could produce 5,540 megawatts of new electric generation capacity by 2015 -- enough to meet the power needs of 5.5 million homes.  moremore


Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett, and City Manager Pete Hernandez at the Preserve America Community recognition event on Oct 22 at Miami's City Hall.

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett, and City Manager Pete Hernandez at the Preserve America Community recognition event on Oct 22 at Miami's City Hall. Hi-Res

Deputy Secretary Scarlett Recognizes Miami as a Preserve America Community

Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett joined Miami Mayor Manny Diaz to celebrate the designation of Miami, Florida, as a Preserve America community. Scarlett presented a designation certificate signed by First Lady Laura Bush, Honorary Chair of Preserve America, in recognition of the community’s work to preserve, protect and celebrate the unique history and heritage it contains. “I am delighted to be in Miami to recognize the importance of heritage tourism and preservation, and the lessons of history that are made authentic and accessible through those efforts,” said Scarlett. “I’m also excited to note the designation by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne a week ago of the Freedom Tower as a National Historic Landmark," Scarlett said. "As we know, memories of Freedom Tower remain etched in the minds of many Cuban Americans who came to America and found support in the building.”  moremore


CORRECTING THE RECORD

Myths and Realities About the Proposed
ESA Regulations on Consultations moremore


SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AWARD
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 80,000 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. moremore
Mission Statement History
Key Officials Past Secretaries
Organizational Chart Quick Facts
DOI In the News Strategic Plan PDF Format
DOI en Español Interior Library
Significant Guidance Documents NEW

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 www.HealthyForests.gov
Indian Trust Avian Influenza Information
Territories and Islands 2005 Hurricane Recovery

National Park ServiceNational Park Service

A much-needed makeover of Yosemite's historic Tunnel View Overlook is the first completed project of the National Park Service Centennial Initiative. moremore

Bureau of Land ManagementBureau of Land Management

A plan to make more than 190 million acres of federal land in 12 western states available for development of geothermal energy resources could could increase electric generation capacity from geothermal resources tenfold. moremore

U.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Geological Survey

USGS research has found genetic evidence for the movement of Asian forms of avian influenza to Alaska by northern pintail ducks, suggesting wild migratory birds may be more important carriers of avian influenza viruses from continent to continent than previously thought. moremore

Minerals Management ServiceMinerals Management Service

The sale of 76 billion cubic feet of natural gas could generate $384 million in gross revenues to be shared between U.S. and Wyoming.  moremore

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Applying a newly developed, ecosystem-based approach to species conservation, the Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to add 48 species found only on the island of Kauai to the federal endangered species list and designate critical habitat. moremore

Bureau of ReclamationBureau of Reclamation

Reclamation has awarded a $14.8 million contract to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe's Weeminuche Construction Authority of Towaoc, Colo., for re-alignment of County Road (CR) 211 around Lake Nighthors as part of the Animas-LaPlata Project. moremore

Bureau of Indian AffairsBureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Director Jerold L. "Jerry" Gidner announced that he has named Michael S. Black as Regional Director of the BIA's Great Plains Regional Office in Aberdeen, S.D.  moremorePDF Format

Office of Surface MiningOffice of Surface Mining

Nearly 15,000 scientists, researchers, business leaders and government officials gathered for an international geographic information systems conference watched as OSM was recognized for its vision and leadership in using technology to make the Nation's coal mines safer for the public and to protect the environment. moremore


Protecting the Polar Bears


Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FY 2007 ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT


DOI Information on Avian Influenza
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Visit Pandemic & Avian Flu.gov for all related federal information.
pandemicflu.gov
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PandemicFlu.gov en Español


Support Our Troops


The new online version of People, Land & Water will continue to tell Interior's stories through articles written by employees from across the nation. Within the site, readers will find the familiar sections of our former print version - People, Working with America, Science and Stewardship, and Around the Department.

Readers of People, Land & Water, the U.S. Department of the Interior's news magazine, will now be able to access the publication on the Web.   moremore


No FEAR Act Data


Cooperative Conservation Take Pride in America ExpectMore.gov DOI Law Enforcement Career Opportunities.
Recreation.gov
Volunteer.gov
People, Land & Water Preserve America 
DOI Office of Insular Affairs