U.S. Department of the Interior
Overview
The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is a federal agency responsible for the management and conservation of most federal lands and natural resources. The department oversees such agencies as the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Park Service. The DOI also implements federal laws related to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, and insular areas of the United States.
History
The Department of the Interior was created by Congress on March 3, 1849. The department was initially conceived to handle domestic matters, which is reflected in its name. The DOI was intended to protect and manage the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage, provide scientific data about those resources, and honor its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities.
Structure
The DOI is administered by the United States Secretary of the Interior, who is a member of the Cabinet of the United States. The current Secretary is Deb Haaland, who was confirmed by the Senate on March 15, 2021. The Secretary is responsible for the overall direction and supervision of all activities of the Department.
Agencies and Bureaus
The Department of the Interior is made up of several agencies and bureaus, each with a specific mandate related to the management and conservation of federal lands and resources. These include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the National Park Service, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the United States Geological Survey.
Responsibilities
The Department of the Interior has a wide range of responsibilities, which include the management and conservation of federal lands and resources, the administration of programs relating to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, and the administration of U.S. insular areas. The department also conducts scientific research, provides data and technical assistance, and upholds federal trust responsibilities to tribal nations.
Criticisms and Controversies
Over the years, the Department of the Interior has faced various criticisms and controversies, particularly related to its management of federal lands and resources. These have included debates over land use, environmental protection, and the rights of indigenous peoples.