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As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the 

 Department of the Interior has responsibility for 

 most of our nationally owned public lands and 

 natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest 

 use of our land and water resources, protecting our 

 fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental and 

 cultural values of our national parks and historical 

 places, and providing for the enjoyment of life 

 through outdoor recreation. The Department asses- 

 ses our energy and mineral resources and works to 

 assure that their development is in the best interests 

 of all our people. The Department also has a major 

 responsibility for American Indian reservation 

 communities and for people who live in island 

 territories under U. S. administration. 



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