Created by Act of Congress in 1849, the Department of the 

 Interior is responsible for a wide variety of programs con- 

 cerned with the management, conservation, and wise develop- 

 ment of America's natural resources. For this reason it often 

 is described as a "Department of Conservation." 



Through a score of bureaus and offices the Department has 

 responsibility for the use and management of millions of acres 

 of federally owned lands; administers mining and mineral 

 leasing on a sizable area of additional lands; irrigates reclaimed 

 lands in the West; manages giant hydroelectric power systems; 

 administers grazing and forestry programs on federally owned 

 range and commercial forest lands; protects fish and wildlife 

 resources; provides for conservation and development of out- 

 door recreation opportunities on a nationwide scale; conserves 

 hundreds of vital scenic, historic, and park areas; conducts 

 geologic research and surveys ; encourages mineral exploration 

 and conducts mineral research ; promotes mine safety ; conducts 

 saline water research; administers oil import programs; oper- 

 ates helium plants and the Alaska Railroad ; is responsible for 

 the welfare of many thousands of people in the Territories of 

 the United States ; and exercises trusteeship for the well-being 

 of additional hundreds of thousands of Indians, Aleuts, and 

 Eskimos, as well as being charged with resource management 

 of millions of acres of Indian-owned lands. 



In its assigned function as the Nation's principal natural 

 resource agency, the Department of the Interior bears a special 

 obligation to assure that our expendable resources are conserved, 

 that renewable resources are managed to produce optimum 

 yields, and that all resources contribute their full measure to 

 the progress, prosperity, and security of America, now and 

 ' in the future. 



