U.S. Department of the Interior Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018 – 2022

The U.S. Department of the Interior Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018 – 2022 is a national multi-sectoral strategic plan of the United States of America. Its main mission is to conserve and manage the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affiliated island communities to help them prosper.
More specifically, the Strategic Plan aims to utilize science in land, water, species and habitat management supporting decisions and activities; apply science to land, water, and species management; provide stewardship of land, surface water, streams and shorelines; provide stewardship of wildlife, bird, fish, and plant species; manage DOI water storage and delivery to resolve conflicts and expand capacity; manage water resources and delivery; foster partnerships to achieve balanced stewardship and use of our public lands; build and maintain partnership programs; inform land use planning processes especially for public use and access; assess land use planning processes for public access and use of DOI lands; inform land use planning with mapping and land imaging; ensure energy and economic security for America; promote safe and robust oil, gas, coal, and renewable energy resource development; provide hydropower; ensure access to mineral resources; manage non-energy mineral development; ensure public receives fair market value for resources; and recover costs where appropriate; ensure accurate and timely accounting and collection of energy revenues; ensure effective collection and application of recreation fees; focus timber programs on “healthy forests” lifecycle; manage sales of timber and forest product resources; manage grazing resources; provide for sustainable forage and grazing; expand hunting, fishing, and other recreation on DOI lands and waters; promote hunting, fishing, and other recreation on DOI lands and waters; enhance public satisfaction at DOI sites; enhance the enjoyment and appreciation of our natural and cultural heritage; support tribal self-determination, self-governance, and sovereignty; support self-governance and self-determination; ensure accurate and timely management of fiduciary trust assets; strengthen Indian education; strengthen economic and health capacities in the US Territories, and fulfill US compact obligations to the freely associated states; bolster healthcare capacity; strengthen island economies; fulfill US compact obligations; ensure emergency preparedness & DOI law enforcement staffing addresses public safety risks; ensure public safety on our lands; prepare DOI to respond to and recover from emergencies and incidents; support securing our southern continental US border; manage wildland fire to reduce risk and improve ecosystem and community resilience; integrate fire ecology, risk management, and collaboration to mitigate wildfire impacts; provide science to safeguard communities from natural hazards; monitor and assess natural hazards risk and response planning; align DOI organizational structure and workforce to improve partnership engagement and mission delivery; ensure effective alignment of DOI organizational structure in the field and with partners; improve strategic hiring, placement and retention efforts to ensure mission-critical service delivery through data driven processes and increased employee engagement efforts; reduce administrative and regulatory burden; evaluate and improve the net benefits of regulatory reform initiatives and policies, and identify regulations for repeal, replacement, or modification; improve transparency and timeliness of the infrastructure permitting process; prioritize DOI infrastructure needs and reduce deferred maintenance backlog; maintain critical DOI infrastructure and facilities to ensure effective operations and service delivery; and provide dependable and efficient information technology.