Secretary Salazar Reviews 100-Day Progress in All-Employee Meeting
Announces Creation of Office of Youth
April 28, 2009
Announcer: This is a podcast from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar used the forum of an all-employee meeting in Washington D.C. and by satellite to share the accomplishments of the department’s first 100 days under a new President and Secretary.
Secretary Salazar spoke of restoring the Department’s reputation and using science as the foundation of decisions in species and land use management. And he spoke of the important role Interior will play in the new energy frontier.
“First, this Department is leading the way in President Obama’s vision for our clean energy future. The lands and oceans we manage, with their vast unexplored renewable energy potential, are the new energy frontier.
Last week, we finalized the offshore renewable energy rule, which will open the gates for renewable energy development on the staggering untapped potential for renewable energy, including wind power. In pursuing this unbridled energy source, we have the possibility of surpassing Denmark and other countries as the world’s leader in offshore wind production.
Onshore, we are opening new BLM renewable energy permitting offices to process applications for solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal development.
We are working with states, stakeholders, local communities, and other federal agencies to map out “renewable energy zones” around the country where we will give priority to large-scale renewable energy projects.
We will need to move this clean power from the new energy frontier to areas of high demand, so we are planning new transmission corridors that can be part of a national electrical supergrid.
As we build a comprehensive energy plan for our country, we must also continue to responsibly develop America’s oil, gas, and coal resources.”
Announcer: In these first 100 days a historic lands bill put into law the 26 million acre National Landscape Conservation System and added 2 million acres of wilderness across the country. In addition, Interior is investing more than $3 billion through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to create jobs and restore America’s parks, refuges and public lands and tackle tough water challenges caused by drought and ageing infrastructure.
Secretary Salazar announced the news that he is expanding opportunities for youth in the outdoors by creating the Office of Youth to provide leadership for programs to educate, engage and employ youth.
“Today, I am announcing that we will be creating the Office of Youth in the Department of the Interior.
The purpose of the Office will be to build our programs, expand opportunities for young people, teach them to hunt and fish, and coordinate our efforts across the bureaus.
In Colorado, we created a similar Youth in Natural Resources program. Still today, I hear from the kids who went through that program – many tell me they would never have gone to college, let alone land a job in natural resource stewardship, if it were not for that program.
That is why the youth programs in this Department are so important for America’s future. We can and must do more to use our great landscapes as classrooms and as pathways to opportunity for America’s children of all backgrounds.”
Announcer: Native American communities have felt the impact of new leadership in the first 100 days. Last weekend, Secretary Salazar announced $500 million in economic recovery investments in Indian Country, a new focus on empowering America’s Native American Communities.
“These investments will make a real difference in Native American communities. We will fix schools. We will upgrade housing. We will build new roads. We will create new jobs.
And we will help strengthen law enforcement in Indian Country. The budget we will be releasing next week will put more officers on the streets, bolster tribal courts, and help fight violent crime and drug abuse.
We are also taking action to improve water infrastructure in Indian Country. Last month, for example, President Obama signed milestone legislation that settles long-standing Indian water rights cases. Because of that legislation, 80,000 members of the Navajo Nation will have access to clean, running water for the very first time.” (Applause)
Announcer: Secretary Salazar wrapped up his remarks looking to day 101 and beyond, getting a budget in place and charging his employees to “keep our doors open to the American people.”
“To be sure, the path ahead will be difficult. We will suffer setbacks. We will face hard choices.
But if we keep our doors open to the American people,
If we listen.
If we gather the best ideas, no matter where they come from.
And if we base our decisions on sound science and the public interest, then Americans will know we are serving them well.
They will know that we are managing their resources wisely, that we are full partners with Indian nations. And that the lands, waters, and resources we manage are in fact theirs and that Americans all have a stake in the stewardship of our great landscapes.
Thank you for your service.
Thank you for being a part of the Department of the Interior family.
And thank you for helping us bring about the change promised to the American people.”
Announcer: This has been a podcast from the U.S. Department of the Interior, I’m Ron Tull, Washington.