In Alaska, as elsewhere in the West, the selection of the Secretary of Interior stirs far greater interest than amongst those who have lately inferred that it is a lesser cabinet position. As you will see in this ARTICLE, the Department of Interior (DOI) controls half of Alaska’s land. Other states also have a high percentage of their land under the purview of this Department.
Below is a list of subsidiary departments as listed below, and their latest news points:
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
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
A much-needed makeover of Yosemite’s historic Tunnel View Overlook is the first completed project of the National Park Service Centennial Initiative. more
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
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
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
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
Westerners care A LOT about this appointment! Bush’s ruinous regime, after a thirty year slide, will take years to correct. Many of these departments have been reduced to relative skeletons, like the National Park System, and US Fish and Wildlife. I’ll bet there isn’t a First Nation person around that is happy with how things are going.
Our land, our resources and the things that dwell upon it, are our most precious gift. The DOI manages: 500 million acres, 68% of gas and oil reserves, 1267 endangered species, 60% of the water that grows our food, 47,723 children at 184 First Nation Sites.
So, when the scuttlebutt in Alaska is that it MIGHT be:
[…Raul Grijalva of Arizona, a Hispanic leader representing the Tucson area, and Mike Thompson of California…]
And that the Special assistant MIGHT be :
[…These include Donald Barry, who served at Interior as Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, and John Leshy, who was Interior’s top lawyer and a former aide to Rep. George Miller, D-Calif.
Leshy is a leader of the Interior transition team. Another is Bob Anderson, a former Native American Rights Fund lawyer who, when he was based in Anchorage, represented Katie John in her precedent-setting legal fight over federal subsistence fishing. Anderson now directs the Native American Law…]
Each choice brings a different focus, but I can’t help noticing the dearth of women the list. Yep, that’s pretty interesting.
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Pombo’s Proposal to Modernize the 1872 Mining Law Helps Rural Western Communities
John Leshy, The Harry D. Sunderland Distinguished Professor of Real Property Law
STATEMENT OF DONALD BARRY, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE AND PARKS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REGARDING ADMINISTRATION OF THE FEDERAL AID PROGRAM
DONALD BARRY SWORN IN AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE AND PARKS
Director, Native American Law Center Associate Professor of Law
I Own My Vote, PUMA, The Denver Group, Just Say No Deal
Grab and Keel 
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