The Main Interior Building's mechanical, electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems and all of its office space are being upgraded and modernized for the first time since the historic structure was built in 1936.
Main Interior Modernization Passes Halfway Mark
The modernization of the Main Interior Building, begun in 2001, is about 50 percent complete, having renovated 955 offices, encompassing 512,359 square feet, including the North Penthouse, first floor computer room, and the printing plant. The thirteen-year construction project, estimated to cost about $243 million, has invested approximately $110 million in upgrading the 1.3 million square-foot building, including its environmental health and safety; life safety; accessibility; mechanical and plumbing systems, technology; security; sustainability and heating, ventilating and air-conditioning. MIB is slightly larger than New York’s Chrysler Building. The project is the first real modernization of MIB's systems and infrastructure since the building was constructed in 1936. A major goal of the project is to preserve the building's historic values, especially in areas of special architectural significance. Interior works closely with the General Services Administration, which budgets for the project, manages the contracts, and conducts project oversight.
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U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, at left, joined Secretary Kempthorne
on Oct. 16, 2008, near Durango, Colorado at an event celebrating the Animas-La
Plata water project. [Photo by Tami Heilemann, DOI-NBC] Hi-Res
Secretary Kempthorne Applauds Nomination of Senator Salazar
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today praised U.S.
Sen. Ken Salazar, President-Elect Barack Obama’s nominee for Secretary
of the Interior, saying the senator is an excellent selection to lead the 73,000-strong agency. "As a lifelong Westerner and rancher who has led Colorado’s
Department of Natural Resources and is a member of the Senate Energy Committee,
Senator Salazar already understands many of Interior’s diverse and complex
issues," Kempthorne said. "He recognizes the importance that America’s
federal lands must play in reducing our dependence on foreign energy; he supports
our national parks; he has positive relationships with American Indian tribes;
he understands the complexities of western water issues." more
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced the final narrowly revised regulations for Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultations. Hi-Res
Interior Publishes Final Narrow Changes to ESA Regulations,
Clarifies Role of Global Processes in Consultation
The Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce today published joint final regulations to clarify the consultation process under the Endangered Species Act. The final regulations, which take effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, represent a narrow update of existing regulations and incorporate changes based on comments received from the public after proposed regulations were published in August. “The rule strengthens the regulations so the government can focus on protecting endangered species as it strives to rebuild the American economy,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “The rule has been revised since it was proposed in August because the public made suggestions we could use to improve it.”” more
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
Bureau of Land Management
Utah Oil and Gas Lease Sale
There has been controversy over the Bureau of Land Management's upcoming sale of oil and gas leases in Utah. The parcels to be sold on Dec.19, 2008, have been carefully screened for environmental impacts. The attached Myth Versus Reality fact sheet is aimed at clearing up some of the misconceptions and misinformation about the sale, which is being carried out by the BLM as part of its multiple-use management of the nation's public lands.
Myth
Versus RealIty
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Bureau of Indian Affairs
A major oil and gas lease sale by BIA's Anadarko (Okla.) Agency, BLM and OST received 916 winning bids totaling $6.1 million. more
Bureau of Reclamation
The Water for America Challenge Grant Program offers FY 09 grants for system optimization reviews that analyze system-wide efficiency with a view to improve the operations of water delivery systems, water districts, or water basins. more
National 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. more
Bureau 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. more
U.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. more
Minerals 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.
more
U.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. more
Office 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. more
DOI Information on Avian Influenza
Visit Pandemic & Avian Flu.gov for all related federal information.
PandemicFlu.gov en Español
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. more
No FEAR Act Data
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