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

 is responsible for a wide variety of programs concerned with the manage- 

 ment, conservation, and wise development of America's natural resources. 

 For this reason it often is described as the "Oepartment of Natural 

 Resources." 



Through a score of bureaus and offices the Department has respon- 

 sibility 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 re- 

 sources; provides for conservation and development of outdoor recreation 

 opportunities on a nationwide scale; conserves hundreds of vital scenic, 

 historic, and park areas; conducts geologic research and surveys; en- 

 courages mineral exploration and conducts mineral research; promotes 

 mine safety; conducts saline water research; administers oil import pro- 

 grams; operates 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. 



