Dirk Kempthorne

Sales Launch Enhanced Revenue Sharing Program, Increased Royalty Rates; Sale 206 Sets Record for Highest Total in High Bids

March 19, 2008 -- NEW ORLEANS — Two federal sales of offshore oil and natural gas leases in the Eastern and Central Gulf of Mexico attracted more than $3.7 billion in high bids today, inaugurating enhanced revenue sharing with oil and gas producing Gulf states, instituting higher royalty rates and underscoring the region’s continuing importance as a vital source of domestic energy production for the nation.

The first sale, the Central Gulf of Mexico Sale 206, attracted a record-setting $3,677,688,245 in high bids. This sets the record in high bids in U.S. leasing history since area-wide leasing began in 1983.    » read more »

Plan Includes Provisions to Protect, Conserve Water Supplies

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 14, 2008 – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today issued the 2008 Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for the operation of Colorado River reservoirs and distribution of Colorado River water to Arizona, Nevada and California. A letter transmitting the approved AOP was sent to the governors of each of the seven Colorado River Basin States.    » read more »

Secretary Awards Guam $6 Million for Public Health, Education

February 26, 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne met with the President of the Republic of Palau Tommy Remengesau on Feb. 25, 2008 to discuss a number of topics, including the possibility of creating a National Heritage Area on the Palau island of Peleliu to commemorate that important World War II battle, and the upcoming Review of the Compact of Free Association.    » read more »

Funding Includes 14 Hazardous Fuels Reduction Projects

February 20, 2008, RED ROCK CANYON, Nevada -- Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today approved $78.6 million for conservation, restoration and recreation projects in Nevada, including $25 million for park improvements and $14.6 million to reduce the threat of wildfires around the state.    » read more »

The brown pelican is known for its fishing displays, plunging headlong from the air into the water and rising with a mouthful of fish. In the same dramatic fashion, the pelican has pulled off an amazing recovery after a steep plunge toward extinction,” said Secretary Kempthorne at a press conference on Friday.

Budget Focuses on Emerging Challenges: “Many of our initiatives look to the future of this Nation, Kempthorne said at a budget press conference on Monday, securing for our children and grandchildren healthy lands and waters, opportunities to connect with Nature and the foundations of continued economic prosperity.”

Government Action Removes Threat to Catskills Region

ALBANY (January 4, 2008) – The people of the Catskills and New York State won a major victory today when U.S. Interior Department Secretary Dirk Kempthorne rejected the proposed casinos in Monticello and by the Neversink River. The federal government’s action closes the door on development projects that would have drastically overburdened the Catskills region with severe traffic congestion, pollution, and sprawl.    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida, Georgia and Alabama Governors Charlie Crist, Sonny Perdue, Bob Riley and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today agreed upon a revised schedule to address the short- and long-term needs of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) and Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) river basins. The agreement came during a day-long meeting of the states at the Florida Governor’s Mansion.    » read more »

December 17, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida, Georgia and Alabama Governors Charlie Crist, Sonny Perdue, Bob Riley and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today agreed upon a revised schedule to address the short- and long-term needs of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) and Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) river basins. The agreement came during a day-long meeting of the states at the Florida Governor’s Mansion.    » read more »

December 13, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) personally called Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne asking him to immediately review a National Park Service decision preventing an important flood protection project in Lake County, Illinois – the Buffalo Creek Reservoir Project – from moving forward. This project is an essential component of an overall flood containment plan for the Des Plaines River which flooded again last August.    » read more »

June 15, 2007 -- PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – Amidst concerns that American Samoa is on the brink of a severe economic downturn, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today signed a grant for more than $188,000 to fund a workforce study designed to help the territory attract private sector investment.    » read more »

June 11, 2007 -- KOROR, Republic of Palau – On the third stop of his official visit to U.S.-affiliated Pacific communities, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne spent two days here discussing environmental, tourism and economic development issues with government and traditional leaders.    » read more »