Secretary and Salary: Deb Haaland $221,400

Fiscal year 2022 Budget Request: $17.6 Billion

Staffing: About 70,000 employees

Mission: The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated Island Communities.

Creation: March 3, 1849

Historical Facts:
1849- Thomas Ewing becomes first Secretary of the Interior

1872 Congress establishes Yellowstoneas the first National Park.

1879 Creation of the U.S. Geological Survey.

1916 President Wilson signed legislation creating The National Park Service.

1935 The Bureau of Reclamation completes construction of Hoover Dam.

1980 The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act is enacted adding 47 million acres to the National Park System and 54 acres to the National Wildlife Refuge System.

2001 Gale A. Norton is nominated the first woman to serve as Secretary of ...