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Home My WebLink AboutUS Dept of the Interior FY 2026-30 Strategic Plan draft for Public Comment Draft f6r blk 1 i Comment U .S. Department of the Interior FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan 4 InsOpill, �� Illuuuuu uuumfu m i IIIIVU 0 INIII .. �IVUVVI�IN�IIj u 0 OD IIIIWif iuuii �u; Stewarding Conservation and Powering Our Future Contents U.S. Department of the Interior Overview ..........................................................................................1 Strategic Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................1 Strategic Goal 1: Restore American Prosperity....................................................................................3 Strategic Objective 1.1: American energy lowers costs and increases affordability................................3 Strategic Objective 1.2: Americans benefit from strategic use of thecountry's natural resources..........3 Strategic Objective 1.3:The country is positioned to use our natural resource assets for the future....4 Strategic Goal 2: Ensure National Security Through Infrastructure and Innovation...............................5 Strategic Objective 2.1: Interior resources protect people and property................................................5 Strategic Objective 2.2: Infrastructure investments and modernization serve the public.......................5 Strategic Objective 2.3:The country's water supply is clean and meets our needs................................6 Strategic Goal 3: Enjoy Our Natural Resources While Ensuring They Remain Sound and Sustainable ....7 Strategic Objective 3.1: Lands and waters provide opportunities for recreation and traditional use.....7 Strategic Objective 3.2: Lands, waters, and American heritage are protected and conserved ...............7 Strategic Objective 3.3: Restore lands and waters...................................................................................8 Strategic Objective 3.4: Species and natural resources are protected.....................................................9 Strategic Goal 4: Collaboration and Coordination Results in Better Outcomes for the Country,States, andthe People.................................................................................................................................10 Strategic Objective 4.1: Uphold trust and treaty responsibilities to American Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, and the Native Hawaiian Community.......................................................................................10 Strategic Objective 4.2: Work collaboratively with states, local communities, U.S.Territories, and FreelyAccociated States ........................................................................................................................10 Strategic Objective 4.3: Provide reliable,valuable science information to our partners.......................11 Management Accountability Key Performance Indicators.................................................................11 ii ( ru a , U.S. Dep rtr-ri nd of the Inferior Overview Introduction The U.S. Department of the Interior(the Department or Interior)was established in 1849 and manages the country's public lands, natural resources, and cultural heritage.The Department oversees one-fifth of land in the U.S. and promotes a strategic use of natural resources and conservation for today and the future.These lands and waters benefit the American people through development of energy and mineral resources, timber and grazing use, and recreation.The Department also protects wildlife and ecosystems and manages water resources.This work is done collaboratively with states, local communities, and federally recognized Indian Tribes,Alaska Natives,and the Native Hawaiian Community(hereafter Native Americans), and with U.S.Territories and the Freely Associated States (hereafter Insular Areas). Interior consults and collaborates with its partners on how to use and protect Federal lands and waters,while enabling strategic development and public use. Today, managing America's public lands and waters is more important than ever.The Department of the Interior is the U.S. balance sheet, and natural resources are the country's assets. These lands—rich in energy, minerals, biodiversity, and recreational value—are worth trillions of dollars to current and future generations. Federal lands do not exist in isolation;they lie within the boundaries of states, Native American's lands, and local communities, and their use often spans multiple jurisdictions.The Department of the Interior plays a central role in building cooperative, long-term strategies for economic growth, national security, environmental resilience, and stewardship of America's natural heritage. The Department of Interior's FY 2026-2030 Strategic Plan outlines the goals and objectives for the next four years and the strategies that will be used to achieve meaningful results for the American people. 1 I r'u a g Strategic Goals and Objectives The Department of the Interior Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2030 Strategic Plan outlines the goals and objectives of the Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.This plan is grounded in the Department's core mission and supports Interior's ability to measure and report success to the public. Strategic Goals Strategic Objectives Goal 1: Restore American Objective 1.1:American energy lowers costs and increases affordability Prosperity Objective 1.2:Americans benefit from strategic use of the country's natural resources Objective 1.3:The country is positioned to use our natural resource assets for the future Goal 2: Ensure National Objective 2.1: Interior resources protect people and property Security Through Infrastructure and Objective 2.2: Infrastructure investments and modernization serve the Innovation public Objective 2.3:The country's water supply is clean and meets our needs Goal 3: Enjoy Our Natural Objective 3.1: Lands and waters provide opportunities for recreation Resources While Ensuring and traditional use They Remain Sound and Sustainable Objective 3.2: Lands,waters, and American heritage are protected and conserved Objective 3.3: Restore lands and waters Objective 3.4: Species and natural resources are protected Goal 4: Collaboration and Objective 4.1: Uphold trust and treaty responsibilities to American Coordination Results in Indian Tribes,Alaska Natives, and the Native Hawaiian Community Better Outcomes for the country, States, and the Objective 4.2:Work collaboratively with states, local communities, U.S. People Territories,and Freely Associated States Objective 4.3: Provide reliable,valuable science information to our partners Management Key Performance Indicators measure Presidential priorities for efficiency Accountability and effectiveness 21ru �7� �� Kl�� "~' ^" " " �� " ��"�� ^~u^~u^_N T Strategic Goal 1 : Restore Zlrne[ican Prosperity StrategiC [)bj2CtiV2 1.1: /\DO2riCan energy lDVV2rS CDStS and increases affordability Key Strategies • Use the country's assets strategically for the benefit of the American people • Reduce applicant burden and streamline regulatory review processes • Support and enable opportunities for increased energy production The Department of the Interior manages the country's land and natural resources for the benefit of the American people. Interior lowers costs by providing states, industry, and agriculture access to the raw materials they need for energy, food, housing, and other needs.The Department supports the increased production of clean coal, oil, gas, hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear energy to power our nation. By working with states and Native Americans,the Department helps make the production and delivery of energy and other resources more affordable, while better supporting local housing and land use priorities. To keep the country's energy supply strong,the Department will promote growthofamkxofener0y sources. Interior will focus on expediting leases and streamlining and cutting regulations while promoting conservation. By offering economic incentives and better access toenergy resources, Interior will encourage private investment and create more American jobs.The Department will improve the efficiency ofenvironmental reviews, permitting, and resource forecasting.These efforts will lead to an affordable, reliable energy supply and support strategic land use. Strategic ObjecLive 1.2: Americans bene-fit from strategic use of the country's na-Lural r2SDUrC2S Key Strategies • Open new lands for grazing, timber, mining, non-energy minerals • Pursue multiple and mixed-use strategies • Generate revenue from land and resources The Department is helping grow the American economy and lower the cost of goods and services by strategically using the country's vast natural resources.The Department is championing multiple-use land management to ensure the country's public lands can be used for recreation, grazing, timber sales, mining, and mineral exploration, all of which provide revenue for the U.S. government. Interior will make strategic use of public lands by working with local communities and stakeholders to create fair policies that best manage our federal lands. By simplifying rules and reducing costs,the Department will assist businesses and communities in strategic use of public lands and resources. Together, these efforts will improve landscapes, help rural areas thrive, and increase the value the American people get from their public lands. Strategic ObjecLIve 1.3: The country is positioned to use our natural resource assets -for the future Key Strategies • Map, identify, and inventory current and future resources • Develop tools and scientific data for advanced exploration • Invest in innovative technology and use of artificial intelligence (AI) The Department is committed to meeting the country's resource needs today—while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. As the world changes, the U.S. must ensure that future generations have the tools and assets they need to stay strong, secure, and competitive. With emerging technologies paving the way of the future, America needs to be able to power the next generation of security and prosperity. To do that, Interior inventories and assesses potential resources, explores how they might be developed, and builds the knowledge required to use them.This powers the economy and strengthens national security. Interior will unleash America's energy potential on Federal lands in Alaska and other public lands by updating land-use rules and refining permitting and leasing processes to promote energy and mineral development.Advanced mapping, artificial intelligence, and scientific data will enable the Department to grow our understanding of natural resources, drive informed exploration, and promote efficient resource use.This will allow the Department to know what resources are available and to quantify their value.These efforts will help the U.S. understand its natural wealth, encourage innovation, and support future development. 4 1 P �7� �� Kl�� "~' ^" " " �� " ��"�� ^~u^~u^_N T Strategic Goal 1: Ensure National Security Through Infrastructure and Innovation Strat2giC [)bj2CtiV2 2.1: Interior r2SDUrC2S protect people and property Key Strategies • Strengthen law enforcement and security to protect people and assets • Strengthen wildland fire prevention, suppression, and emergency planning • Apply technologies to acquire, communicate, and use information The Department of the Interior ensures the safety of people living, working,and visiting public and tribal lands through strong preventative, response, and recovery efforts. Interior has expert teams capable of providing everyday services and meeting urgent needs for law enforcement, emergency response, and wildland fire management. Interior also uses scientific tools to give local leaders accurate and timely information to prepare for natural hazards and build long-term resilience. Interior will strengthen its law enforcement, safety, and firefighting workforce to better protect public lands, Federal assets, and border areas. Across the country, Interior will strengthen wildfire fighting capabilities by proactively managing fuels and using controlled burns and support functions critical to incident response. With advanced scientific data, leveraging artificial intelligence and mapping technology, the Department will help communities plan for and respond to natural disasters and extreme weather events.This includes managing water resources to protect and reduce risks from flooding or drought. Interior will evaluate and strengthen cybersecurity systems to protect important digital tools and information.Together, these actions will improve public safety, boost disaster readiness and recovery, and protect critical resources. Strategic Objective 2.2: Infrastructure inV2StDO2ntS and modernization serve the public Key Strategies • Maximize the return on investment of our facilities and structures • Build system resiliency and flexibility to changing needs and demands • Apply management tools and technologies to improve effectiveness and efficiency The Department of the Interior invests in and improves its buildings and infrastructure to best serve the American public. Interior is maximizing the effectiveness of its facilities by ensuring they meet current needs, and by fixing or replacing aging infrastructure—strategies that improve safety and efficiency. Interior maximizes return on public investment and reduces liabilities by addressing deferred maintenance backlogs. Interior focuses resources where they will effectively meet the needs of communities and visitors. Interior will upgrade key infrastructure such as roads, bridges, dams, and Interior-funded schools, while removing outdated assets to improve long-term efficiency and resilience. With trained project managers overseeing repairs and construction,the Department will ensure projects are safe, on time, and within budget. Interior will also work with Native Americans to improve school facilities and expand access to broadband internet, supporting high quality learning environments and local economic growth. Combined, these efforts will make public facilities more resilient, services better, and opportunities more accessible to communities across the country. Strategic Objecriye 2.3: The country's wager supply is clean and meets our needs Key Strategies • Build capacity for strong water management and operations • Acquire and use water data for planning and managing • Strengthen water conservation for today and the future The Department of the Interior provides clean and reliable water for homes, farms, and businesses. In collaboration with its partners, Interior supports reliable water delivery to communities while enhancing resilience to floods and droughts. Interior supports making predictions of water availability to help better manage the rivers, reservoirs,waterways,and underground water sources which serve the country. Interior will upgrade and maintain water infrastructure to ensure water supplies while also promoting water conservation and reuse for drought resiliency. By investing in new technology and skilled project managers, the Department will improve how water systems operate and are maintained. Interior will work with tribes to identify opportunities to transfer water assets to Native Americans to strengthen tribal sovereignty and build capacity for water resource management. Interior will expand availability of water data to help communities and leaders guide planning and water use decisions.These efforts together will create a more resilient water infrastructure that supplies and enables farms, communities, recreation, and wilderness areas. 6 ' Fu �7� �� Kl�� "~' ^" " " �� " ��"�� ^~u^~u^_XF Strategic Goal 3: Enjoy Our Natural Resources While Ensuring They Rer0ain Sound and Sustainable Strategic [)bj2CtiV23.1: Lands and waters provide opportunities -for recreation and traditional use Key Strategies • Expand opportunities for recreation, hunting, and fishing • Strengthen digital resources for planning recreation and visitation • Collaborate with partners,volunteers, and local communities The Department of the Interior manages 480 million acres of public lands that welcome over 565 million visitors each year. Interior offers recreational activities like hunting,fishing, boating, hiking, and sightseeing, which contributes over a trillion dollars to our nation's economy.The Department also recognizes sovereignty and rights of Native Americans to access these lands for traditional uses.Visitors to national parks, refuges, historic sites, and other federally managed lands are also an important contributor to local community and state economies. The Department will promote lawful hunting and fishing as important conservation tools and improve access to public lands by upgrading trails and recreation facilities. Interior will also invest in digital tools to help people plan safe and enjoyable outdoor experiences. Interior will grow recreation opportunities while improving stewardship of natural resources in collaboration with it partners. Native Americans will have access for traditional use, including hunting,fishing, and visiting sacred sites. These efforts will protect natural resources, support local communities, and help more people enjoy America's public lands. Strat2giC [)bj2CLiVe 3.2: Lands, waters, and /\DO2riCan heritage are protected and CDnS2rV2d The Department of the Interior plays a vital role in honoring our nation's shared past and present, while stewarding the natural and cultural resources entrusted to its care.Through the protection and conservation of land,water, and public sites, Interior ensures these national treasures are preserved for future generations. As a guardian of American history and cultural heritage, the Department also sustains the public lands that connect people to the story of our nation.The Department will work with local communities and tribal nations to restore historic place names, honoring cultural significance. By supporting the repatriation of cultural items to Native Americans, the Department will honor ancestral rights and strengthen connections to heritage. As the country commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Interior will lead celebrations that highlight our rich history, and diverse cultural legacy. America's 250th birthday is a chance for people to appreciate the lands and waters that helped shape the country. Volunteers can help by cleaning up rivers,trails, and shorelines, welcoming visitors, supporting education,joining in hunting and wildlife management, and collecting data with scientists—just to name a few opportunities. America 250 offers many ways for people to connect with our natural and cultural heritage and help protect it for the future. Strategic Objective 3.3: Restore lands and wagers Key Strategies • Engage in co-management with local stakeholders and tribes • Strengthen wildland fire and timber management practices • Clean up pollution from legacy mines, wells, and offshore wells Active management of our lands and waters means being proactive and responsive in the face of constant change.The Department works with states, local communities, and Native Americans to restore lands damaged by extreme weather, hazardous waste, accidents, and other emergencies. Proactive wildfire management, including controlled burns and active timber management, will reduce wildfire risk and increase forest resilience. Interior will continue to develop innovative remediation projects and policy initiatives that help protect people and make the land safe and available for multiple uses—such as outdoor recreation, urban development, and conservation.The Department continues to work with ecosystem restoration partners to address legacy pollution. Cleaning up these impacted lands and waters will make these areas once again suitable for alternative uses that address local needs, like housing and recreation.The Department's strategy for partnership and collaboration will lead to healthier lands and waters, safer communities, and economic growth. 8 ' Fu Strategic Objecriye 3.4: Species and natural resources are protecLed Key Strategies • Apply science to decision making for species management • Use best applied science from federal, state, local communities, and tribes • Manage cooperatively with local stakeholders and tribes The Department of the Interior is the steward of public lands and waters, keeping ecosystems healthy. To accomplish this, Interior supports ecosystem health by soliciting local input and promoting hunting, fishing, and other effective strategies for land and water management. Interior shares its data and science with partners to make informed management decisions. Interior works to remove harmful invasive species, delist endangered species once recovered, and involve local communities in decisions about managing nature and wildlife. The Department will work with partners to manage invasive species and prevent them from impacting native plants, animals, farms, and waterways.The Department will also focus on restoring habitats, monitoring key species, and using mixed land management practices. By using a combination of advanced science and traditional and local knowledge, Interior will strengthen stewardship and ensure conservation while the public enjoys the country's lands and waterways. 9 ' Fu �7� �� Kl�� "~' ^" " " �� " ��"�� ^~u^~u^_N T Strategic Goal 4: K~Q||abQ[atiQn and Coordination Results in Bette[ OutcQr0es for the K~Qunt[V/ States/ and the People Strategic [)bj2CtiV24.1: Uphold trust and treaty responsibilities tDAmerican Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, and the Native Hawaiian Community Key Strategies Enable tribal self-determination and self-governance Strengthen tribal education and student achievement Expand economic growth,job creation, energy development, and co-management activities The Department of the Interior upholds sovereignty and self-determination for American Indian Tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian Communities (Native Americans).The Department engages in regular consultation to build strong and meaningful government-to-government relationships with a goal to improve safety, and infrastructure,education, and economic growth. Interior facilitates collaboration and cooperation across the Federal government to support tribal sovereignty and traditional ways oflife. The Department of the Interior will strengthen govern ment-to-government relationships with Native Americans and Insular Areas.This includes expanding shared management of land, increasing investment in education and jobs programs, and managing trust assets for beneficiaries.These efforts support sovereignty, build more resilient communities, and promote long-term economic success. Strategic [}bj2CtiV24.2: Work collaboratively with states, local CDDODOUniti2S, U.S. Territories, and Freely Associated States Key Strategies • Be a good partner and good neighbor • Empower communities in decision making and applying technical assistance • Enable public-private partnerships for economic growth and development The Department works with state and local governments, U.S.Territories and Freely Associated States (Insular Areas), and international partners to achieve common, shared goals. Interior's partnerships empower local and regional leaders to shape solutions that fit their unique needs knowing that the best stewards of our public lands are local communities those whose lives and livelihoods are tied to its management.The Department has a special govern ment-to'0overnment relationship with Insular Areas 1O | Page to provide technical assistance and support for building and supporting efficient and effective governments. In these relationships, Interior remains committed to honoring the unique histories, cultures, and needs of the community and its people. By growing public-private partnerships, the Department will help partners bring in private investment and expertise to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and benefits for local communities.These partnerships will speed up work on key infrastructure projects like expanding broadband, improving utility services, and building affordable housing, especially in rural and tribal areas.Through these partnerships, Interior will help build resilient communities, improve access to public lands and resources, and promote sustainable, local management of natural resources. Strategic Objective 4.3: Provide reliable, valuable science information to our partners Key Strategies • Continuously strengthen our ability to acquire and apply data • Integrate state and local science information to inform decision making • Strengthen science communications to inform planning and build resiliency The Department helps communities stay safe and prepared by sharing accurate science and data with local planners and managers. With real-time monitoring, early warning systems, and advanced mapping of natural hazards like floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes,the Department gives communities the tools they need to prepare for and respond to environmental risks. By working collaboratively with its partners, the Department makes sure that emergency planning is based on the best available science, helping communities reduce risks and adapt to changing conditions. The Department will provide reliable data that helps guide decisions on farming, land and water management, infrastructure planning, and the responsible development of important natural resources. Interior science programs will help identify key resources needed for national security and economic growth.The Department's data will help cities, states, businesses, and Native Americans make informed choices for long-term success and prosperity.The Department continuously improves not just the quality of the information, but it shares this information with our partners that rely on it to achieve their goals. N/lanagernent Accountability Key Perforr-nance Indicators The Department is committed to ensuring that the U.S. Federal Government operates efficiently, effectively, and uses evidence in its decision-making.To demonstrate measurable progress, the Department will utilize cross-cutting key performance indicators to track performance, enhance accountability, and transparently measure Interior's impact in serving the American people. 111 r'u a g