Environmental Restoration Summits

Key figures in summits focused on conservation and wildfire prevention. Meetings emphasizing collaborative efforts and funding for environmental challenges.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, where he joined Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, and other officials for meetings, tours of the facility and surrounding area, and press conference on fire season preparations

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, where he joined Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, and other officials for meetings, tours of the facility and surrounding area, and press conference on fire season preparations

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne leading Interior press conference on National Park management policies

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge near Commerce City, Colorado to participate in ceremonies marking the expansion of the Refuge through transfer of more than 7,000 acres of land from the U.S. Army to the Fish and Widlife Service. Joining Secretary Kempthorne at the events were Colorado Governor Bill Owens, members of Colorado's Congressional delegation, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Tad Davis, and representatives from the Fish and Wildlife Service, Shell Oil Company, and other organizations.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Zoo, Washington, D.C., for touring, press conference launch of the Tiger Conservation Initiative. The Secretary joined numerous dignitaries, among them National Zoo Director John Berry, actor and Conservation International board member Harrison Ford, actor Robert Duvall, World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick, National Zoo Ecology Center Head Conservator John Seidensticker, and International Tiger Coalition spokesperson Grace Ge Gabriel, at the event.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Zoo, Washington, D.C., for touring, press conference launch of the Tiger Conservation Initiative. The Secretary joined numerous dignitaries, among them National Zoo Director John Berry, actor and Conservation International board member Harrison Ford, actor Robert Duvall, World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick, National Zoo Ecology Center Head Conservator John Seidensticker, and International Tiger Coalition spokesperson Grace Ge Gabriel, at the event.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, where he joined Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, and other officials for meetings, tours of the facility and surrounding area, and press conference on fire season preparations

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne at the Great Smoky Mountains Sustainable Tourism Summit, Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, Tenneessee: speaking with National Park Service personnel, and helping to honor Great Smoky Mountains conservation contributors with Take Pride in America Awards

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - Pickapart , Environmental Protection Agency

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Monroe, Michigan, where he joined Michigan Congressman John Dingell, Michigan Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, Jr., Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and other officials for press conference and signing ceremony at Monroe County Community College marking the inclusion of the Plum Creek Bay into the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Forest Service tour during his visit to Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe to participate in the annual Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, where he joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Durango, Colorado, for participation in ceremonies marking the near completion of the main features of the Bureau of Reclamation's Animas-La Plata Project, including construction of the Ridges Basin Dam and Basin Creek drop structures, the Durango Pumping Plant, and Ridges Basin Inlet Conduit. Joining Secretary Kempthorne at the event were Interior Solicitor David Bernhardt, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Robert Johnson, Colorado Senator--and future Interior Secretary--Ken Salazar, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Chairman Clement Frost of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Chairman Ernest House of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and President Joe Shirley of the Navajo Nation, among other federal, state, and local officials.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Williamsburg, Virginia, for Colonial National Historical Park touring, discussions with National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Colonial National Historical Park staff, and keynote address at the 2007 National Association of State Park Directors and National Park Service Leadership Council Conference

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Secretary Gale Norton, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Executive Director John Berry, ESPN Outdoors Vice President Christine Godleski, Foundation incoming Executive Director Jeff Trandahl, Foundation Chairman Max Chapman, Jr., left to right, at Celebrating the Great Outdoors fundraiser

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Forest Service tour during his visit to Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe to participate in the annual Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, where he joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined former President Bill Clinton, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders for the environmental discussion

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Forest Service tour during his visit to Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe to participate in the annual Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, where he joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, where he joined Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, and other officials for meetings, tours of the facility and surrounding area, and press conference on fire season preparations

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne touring with Fish and Wildlife Service staff during Minnesota visit

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - Pickapart , Environmental Protection Agency

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the Arizona-California border area, where he toured the Bureau of Reclamation's Yuma, Arizona Area Office-Yuma Desalting Plant with Bureau Commissioner Robert Johnson, and joined Johnson and officials from the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Central Arizona Project, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California at groundbreaking ceremonies for the Drop 2 Reservoir Project--part of the Lower Colorado River Water Storage Program--in Imperial County, California

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne leading Interior press conference on National Park management policies

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Zoo, Washington, D.C., for touring, press conference launch of the Tiger Conservation Initiative. The Secretary joined numerous dignitaries, among them National Zoo Director John Berry, actor and Conservation International board member Harrison Ford, actor Robert Duvall, World Bank Group President Robert Zoellick, National Zoo Ecology Center Head Conservator John Seidensticker, and International Tiger Coalition spokesperson Grace Ge Gabriel, at the event.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined former President Bill Clinton, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders for the environmental discussion

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, where he joined Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, and other officials for meetings, tours of the facility and surrounding area, and press conference on fire season preparations

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and aides joining Michigan Congressman John Dingell for a helicopter tour of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, followed by reception at the Refuge. Earlier, Secretary Kempthorne and Congressman Dingell participated in a press conference and signing ceremony at Monroe County Community College, marking the inclusion of the Plum Creek Bay into the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Williamsburg, Virginia, for Colonial National Historical Park touring, discussions with National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Colonial National Historical Park staff, and keynote address at the 2007 National Association of State Park Directors and National Park Service Leadership Council Conference

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - Pickapart , Environmental Protection Agency

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Monroe, Michigan, where he joined Michigan Congressman John Dingell, Michigan Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, Jr., Ohio Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, and other officials for press conference and signing ceremony at Monroe County Community College marking the inclusion of the Plum Creek Bay into the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined former President Bill Clinton, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders for the environmental discussion

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Durango, Colorado, for participation in ceremonies marking the near completion of the main features of the Bureau of Reclamation's Animas-La Plata Project, including construction of the Ridges Basin Dam and Basin Creek drop structures, the Durango Pumping Plant, and Ridges Basin Inlet Conduit. Joining Secretary Kempthorne at the event were Interior Solicitor David Bernhardt, Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Robert Johnson, Colorado Senator--and future Interior Secretary--Ken Salazar, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Chairman Clement Frost of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Chairman Ernest House of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and President Joe Shirley of the Navajo Nation, among other federal, state, and local officials.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Cooperative Conservation public "listening session" and related activities at the Spokane Convention Center, Spokane, Washington, with Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joining Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson, EPA Acting Regional Administrator-Seattle, Ron Kreizenbeck, Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall, and representatives of the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition among the featured guests

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and other senior officials meeting at Main Interior with delegation from Mexico--led by Mexico's Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources, Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada; and Mexico's Ambassador to the U.S., Arturo Sarukhan--for discussion of continued U.S.-Mexican cooperation on conservation efforts, including support of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, the management and conservation of migratory birds and wetlands, and Colorado River water management

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - Pickapart , Environmental Protection Agency

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Forest Service tour during his visit to Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe to participate in the annual Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, where he joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined former President Bill Clinton, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders for the environmental discussion

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the Arizona-California border area, where he toured the Bureau of Reclamation's Yuma, Arizona Area Office-Yuma Desalting Plant with Bureau Commissioner Robert Johnson, and joined Johnson and officials from the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Central Arizona Project, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California at groundbreaking ceremonies for the Drop 2 Reservoir Project--part of the Lower Colorado River Water Storage Program--in Imperial County, California

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Forest Service tour during his visit to Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe to participate in the annual Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, where he joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Flooding - Minot, N. D. , Oct. 20, 2011 David Miller (left), Associate Administrator of the FEMA's Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, and North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple (right) leave a flood-damaged home in Minot. FEMA is working with state and local partners to provide assistance to those affected by June's historic Souris River flood in Minot. North Dakota Flooding. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Gila Community College in Payson, Arizona, where he joined Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Arizona Congressman Rick Renzi, and Gila County Supervisor Tommie Martin for a meeting with local citizens to discuss forest health, the Endangered Species Act, and other resource management issues

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on visit to Los Angeles County, California, where he observed the largest earthquake preparedness drill in U.S. history ("The Great Southern California Shake Out"). The Secretary joined California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at a press conference, watched preparedness drills in schools, and discussed peparedness measures with students, educators, emergency operations personnel, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) staff including USGS Director Mark Myers

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

American Recreation Coalition (ARC) 2006 Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award ceremony and reception, with presentations by ARC President Derrick Crandall and other ARC officials, and award acceptance by Congressman Thomas Petri of Wisconsin

Clean Air Locomoitve and Marine Diesel Rule, Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - Pickapart , Environmental Protection Agency

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Celebrating the Great Outdoors fundraising event, co-hosted by ESPN Outdoors, on New York City's Randall's Island, with appearance by 2005 Foundation honoree, actor Bruce Willis, left

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the Arizona-California border area, where he toured the Bureau of Reclamation's Yuma, Arizona Area Office-Yuma Desalting Plant with Bureau Commissioner Robert Johnson, and joined Johnson and officials from the Southern Nevada Water Authority, Central Arizona Project, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California at groundbreaking ceremonies for the Drop 2 Reservoir Project--part of the Lower Colorado River Water Storage Program--in Imperial County, California

Administrator Christine Todd Whitman at Chespeake Bay Anacostia River Clean-up function , Environmental Protection Agency

Severe Storms and Tornadoes, Seneca, Missouri, May 13, 2008 Betty Geary of Seneca explains her situation, that the May 10 tornado destroyed her uninsured home, garage and farm buildings. DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison meet with Mrs. Geary after touring the devastated area by air from Picher, Oklahoma, and hard-hit areas including Granby and Newtonia, Missouri. Michael Raphael/FEMA.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Williamsburg, Virginia, for Colonial National Historical Park touring, discussions with National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Colonial National Historical Park staff, and keynote address at the 2007 National Association of State Park Directors and National Park Service Leadership Council Conference

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Signing ceremony for the Truckee River Operating Agreement in Reno, Nevada, where Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senator Harry Reid, Chairman Mervin Wright, Jr. of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians, and other federal, state, and local dignitaries including Assistant Attorney General Ronald Tenpas of the Justice Department, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Truckee Meadows Water Authority Board of Directors Chairman Mike Carrigan, and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The agreement fulfilled the requirements of the 1990 Settlement Act for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, which directed the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an operating agreement for the major federal and private reservoirs on the Truckee River upstream of Reno.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, where he joined Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Idaho Lieutenant Governor Jim Risch, and other officials for meetings, tours of the facility and surrounding area, and press conference on fire season preparations

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Forest Service tour during his visit to Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe to participate in the annual Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, where he joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Chesapeake Bay - Chesapeake Executive Council (CEC) , Environmental Protection Agency

Clean Air Locomoitve and Marine Diesel Rule, Environmental Protection Agency

Lake Tahoe Restoration Forum presentations at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, including announcement by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne of the approval of more than $48 million for fuels reduction, forest health, watershed restoration, habitat improvement, water quality improvement, erosion control, adaptive management, and science and research projects aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Tahoe Basin. Joining Secretrary Kempthorne were Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Stephen Johnson, Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Congressman Jim Gibbons, Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn, and other federal, state, local, and tribal leaders.

Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit at Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park, where Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, California Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman, Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey, Washoe Tribe of California and Nevada Chairman Waldo Walker, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum focusing on reducing wildfire risks in the area as well as the impact of global warming on Lake Tahoe. In his Summit address, Secretary Kempthorne announced more than $140 million in funding for conservation, restoration, wildfire protection, recreation, and capital improvement projects for Lake Tahoe and Nevada--the ninth round of funding under the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act.

Office of the Administrator - EPA Executive Council Meeting Regarding the State of the Chesapeake Bay Program , Environmental Protection Agency

Groundbreaking ceremony for a new visitor center at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada, and announcement of new funding for 49 projects under Round 8 of the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act, with Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joining Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, Nevada Representatives Shelley Berkley and Jon Porter, and other federal, state, and National Landscape Conservation Foundation officials

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour for tours of the J.L. Scott Marine Education Center-Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, and a ceremony formally designating the center as the 21st Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center in the nation. Secretary Kempthorne and First Lady Bush also used the designation ceremony to announce new Bush Administration actions on marine debris.

Secretary Dirk Kempthorne on Forest Service tour during his visit to Nevada's Sand Harbor State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe to participate in the annual Lake Tahoe Restoration Summit, where he joined Nevada Senators Harry Reid and John Ensign, California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and other federal, state, local, tribal leaders in the environmental forum

Clean Air Locomoitve and Marine Diesel Rule, Environmental Protection Agency

Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response - Pickapart , Environmental Protection Agency

Press conference, on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, announcing the final list of National Park Centennial Challenge projects to be funded in 2008. Secretary Dirk Kempthorne joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks R. Lyle Laverty, Jr., Colorado Senators Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar, Washington Congressmen Norman Dicks and Brian Baird, West Virginia Congressman Nick Rahall, Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt, Utah Congressman Rob Bishop, National Park Service's National Capital Parks-East Superintendent Gayle Hazelwood, and National Park Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Vin Cipolla among the many dignitaries participating in the event. The Centennial Challenge is the public-private fund matching element of the President's National Park Centennial Initiative, designed to prepare the National Park system for another century of conservation and preservation in time for the National Park Service's 100th anniversary in

of 4