Created by act of Congress in 1849, the Department of the 
Interior is responsible for a wide variety of programs concerned 
with the management, conservation, and wise development of 
America’s natural resources. For this reason it is often de¬ 
scribed as a department of natural resources. 
Through a score of bureaus and offices the Department is 
responsible 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; ad¬ 
ministers 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 llailroad; 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 spe¬ 
cial 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. 
