Secretary Jewell to Kick-Off Multi-State Swing Promoting Major Department Priorities


Stops in four western states will highlight progress in renewable energy, youth engagement, conservation efforts and western water management, and underscore Native American trust responsibilities

 WASHINGTON – Showcasing a broad portfolio, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will take to the road this week marking key milestones in priority issue areas, including the Department’s youth initiative, President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, renewable energy goals, water security, and Interior’s pledge to improve Indian education and strengthen the government-to-government relationship with tribal nations. 

Jewell will begin the week in Palm Springs, California, where she’ll be joined by Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Janice Schneider as well as California energy and environment officials to mark an important step forward for renewable energy and landscape-level conservation.



From there she’ll travel to Los Angeles to join Coca-Cola North America President Sandy Douglas to announce a major public-private partnership with The Coca-Cola Foundation to support the Department's ambitious youth initiative.



Later in the week, the Secretary will travel to Lakeview, Oregon, where she’ll accompany Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Deputy Director Steve Ellis, Deputy Assistant Secretary Jim Lyons and local stakeholders on a tour of innovative sage grouse conservation efforts spearheaded by the BLM’s Lakeview District, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, private land owners, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and other conservation partners. This project is emblematic of collaborative efforts across the west to conserve the region's declining "sagebrush sea" which supports significant economic activity (such as ranching and recreation) as well as an abundance of wildlife.



On Friday, Jewell will visit Window Rock, Arizona, to participate in a signing ceremony announcing a major tribal trust settlement agreement with the Navajo Nation. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn will also be on hand, along with Acting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Sam Hirsch, Environment and Natural Resources Division and tribal leaders and members from the Navajo Nation community.



Also on Friday, the Secretary will tour the Crystal Boarding School on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico to spend time with students and school officials, and hold a roundtable with tribal leaders. Jewell will discuss ongoing educational reform initiatives to ensure students attending schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education receive a high quality education delivered by tribal nations.



The Secretary will remain in Arizona on Saturday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of power generation at Glen Canyon Dam, a key feature of the Colorado River Storage Project located in Page.