Department of the Interior 

Department of the Interior
            

Strategic Plan
FY 1998- FY 2002

The Department of the Interior's strategic plan provides the direction and 
guidance needed to more effectively and efficiently manage its programs while 
providing the best possible service to the American people. This strategic plan 
meets the requirements of the Government and Performance and Results Act of 
1993.
Interior's strategic plan consists of a Departmental Overview and individual 
strategic plans for each of its eight bureaus. The overview provides an 
overarching framework and direction for the Department while Bureau plans focus 
on more specific programmatic goals.
Message From the Secretary 
Department Overview 
Bureau Plans 
You can comment on the Department of the Interior's Strategic Plan by:
    mail addessed to: The Department of the Interior, Office of Planning and 
    Performance Management, MS-5258, 1849 C St., N.W., Washington, DC 20240. 
    electronic communication via the comment form. 


"It is not what we have that will make us a great nation; it is the way we use 
it." Theodore Roosevelt 
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
March 3, 1999, will mark the 150th anniversary of the Department of the 
Interior. Since its creation in 1849, the Department has evolved to become the 
guardian of the Nation's most precious natural and cultural resources and the 
steward of its trust responsibilities to American Indians and Alaska Natives. As 
the Nation's principal conservation agency, we have an obligation to manage our 
resources to benefit the American people and preserve the rich and precious 
heritage of this country. 
Our stewardship responsibilities here at the Department touch the lives of the 
American people in many ways. We preserve the places that give us a proud sense 
of our history -- from Independence Hall to Gettysburg. We protect breathtaking 
landscapes of special natural beauty, from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rainier. We 
provide for the environmentally sound production of oil, gas, and other mineral 
resources found on America's public lands. We honor this Nation's obligations to 
Native Americans and Alaska Natives. We protect habitat to sustain the nation's 
fish and wildlife. We help the states manage water resources for millions of 
people in the Western states. We provide vital scientific and technical 
information for sound natural resource decision making. Most important, we are 
listening to the American people and building unique working partnerships with 
those we serve. 
As the responsibilities of this Department have evolved and changed over the 
last 148 years, the public's expectations of government have changed as well. 
The American people are seeking greater accountability from their government. We 
are meeting this challenge by setting ambitious performance goals and seeking 
new ways to better serve the American people. This strategic plan presents the 
Department of the Interior's long-term goals and describes what we plan to 
achieve over the next five years. 
We are a proud Department with numerous success stories and a rich history. We 
are moving forward and striking a balance between production and conservation of 
the Nation's natural resources. We are responding to the growing demand for 
Interior's services while keeping our commitment to a balanced budget. As the 
steward and guardian of this great Nation's natural resources and cultural 
heritage, this Department has a special obligation to future generations of 
Americans. With this plan we will meet those special obligations and our 
stewardship responsibilities. 
As we move into the twenty-first century, this plan will help guide the 
activities of the Department. We plan to build a solid record of performance in 
protecting the environment, treading lightly on the land, and leaving the 
Nation's resources in better shape than we found them for future generations to 
use and enjoy. 

http://www.doi.gov