WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:01.260 --> 00:00:03.600 This Week at Interior 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:08.180 Secretary Haaland took part in a White House event this week focused on the critical need 00:00:08.180 --> 00:00:12.790 to strengthen prevention, preparedness and response efforts for this wildfire season, 00:00:12.790 --> 00:00:15.200 which is on track to outpace last season. 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:19.110 In her remarks, the Secretary announced that, thanks to the President’s leadership, Interior 00:00:19.110 --> 00:00:24.000 will provide incentives and bonuses to nearly 2,900 firefighters – to help keep them on 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:26.570 the firelines where we need them this year. 00:00:26.570 --> 00:00:31.980 The threat of western wildfires this year is as severe as it's ever been. 00:00:31.980 --> 00:00:36.270 And I wanted to convene this group of governors, of western state governors, key members of 00:00:36.270 --> 00:00:41.129 my Cabinet, FEMA leadership, and the leadership from utility industries, and senior members 00:00:41.129 --> 00:00:44.910 of our White House team, to make sure we're doing everything, and I mean this sincerely, 00:00:44.910 --> 00:00:49.920 we’re doing everything possible to help you prepare for what's coming. 00:00:49.920 --> 00:00:54.569 Secretary Haaland met with Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Senator Tim Kaine this week 00:00:54.569 --> 00:00:57.629 to discuss offshore wind energy opportunities. 00:00:57.629 --> 00:01:02.059 The Biden-Harris administration is committed to achieving 30 gigawatts of clean offshore 00:01:02.059 --> 00:01:08.050 wind energy by 2030, creating nearly 80,000 good-paying union jobs while also fighting 00:01:08.050 --> 00:01:09.600 climate change. 00:01:09.600 --> 00:01:14.030 The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced two environmental reviews and public comment 00:01:14.030 --> 00:01:19.030 periods for two wind energy projects this week: the Vineyard Wind South project offshore 00:01:19.030 --> 00:01:24.250 Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and a proposed wind energy facility offshore Virginia Beach. 00:01:24.250 --> 00:01:28.770 If approved, Vineyard Wind would be allowed to construct and operate a wind energy facility 00:01:28.770 --> 00:01:31.920 capable of generating about 23-hundred megawatts. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:36.870 The other project located approximately 23.5 nautical miles offshore Virginia calls for 00:01:36.870 --> 00:01:42.870 construction and operation of up to 205 turbines capable of generating up to 3,000 megawatts 00:01:42.870 --> 00:01:44.380 of electricity. 00:01:44.380 --> 00:01:49.630 The Bureau of Land Management this week applauded MGM Resorts in Las Vegas as the power started 00:01:49.630 --> 00:01:52.630 flowing from the MEGA Solar Array project. 00:01:52.630 --> 00:01:58.710 The array is located within the Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone on 715 acres of public land managed 00:01:58.710 --> 00:02:00.920 by the BLM Las Vegas Field Office.  00:02:00.920 --> 00:02:06.770 The MEGA Solar Array is capable of generating 130 megawatts of clean, renewable energy. 00:02:06.770 --> 00:02:11.379 Interior announced the transfer of all lands comprising the National Bison Range from the 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:14.879 Fish and Wildlife Service to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 00:02:14.879 --> 00:02:19.269 The land, made up of nearly 19,000 acres, will be held in trust for the Confederated 00:02:19.269 --> 00:02:23.269 Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation in Montana. 00:02:23.269 --> 00:02:27.780 The National Bison Range was established in 1908, the first time Congress appropriated 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:31.719 tax dollars to buy land specifically to preserve wildlife. 00:02:31.719 --> 00:02:37.279 The 2021-2022 Federal Duck Stamp, and its younger sibling, the Junior Duck Stamp, are 00:02:37.279 --> 00:02:39.029 now available for purchase. 00:02:39.029 --> 00:02:43.019 The Duck Stamp plays a critically important role in wildlife conservation. 00:02:43.019 --> 00:02:49.700 Since 1934, sales of this stamp have raised more than $1.1 billion to protect over 6 million 00:02:49.700 --> 00:02:54.639 acres of wetlands habitat on national wildlife refuges around the nation. 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:59.030 The National Park Service this week reopened the pedestal observation deck of the Statue 00:02:59.030 --> 00:03:03.169 of Liberty National Monument, which has been closed for pandemic reasons. 00:03:03.169 --> 00:03:08.120 You'll need an advanced ticket reservation, and capacity is being kept at fifty percent. 00:03:08.120 --> 00:03:12.420 The statue's crown will remain closed until a future reopening phase. 00:03:12.420 --> 00:03:16.980 And our social media Picture of the Week shows exactly how good things come to those who 00:03:16.980 --> 00:03:19.480 wait, especially on America's public lands. 00:03:19.480 --> 00:03:24.010 Here our fearless photographer captured the precise moment that an arch along Pictured 00:03:24.010 --> 00:03:28.069 Rocks National Lakeshore caught fire in a breathtaking sunset. 00:03:28.069 --> 00:03:32.269 The lakeshore is a northern Michigan treasure, where guests can explore fifteen miles of 00:03:32.269 --> 00:03:37.390 sandstone cliffs along Lake Superior...and once in awhile, snap a superior picture. 00:03:37.390 --> 00:03:41.049 Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and You Tube. 00:03:41.049 --> 00:03:43.469 Have a safe and happy Independence Day holiday! 00:03:43.469 --> 00:03:52.009 That’s This Week, at Interior.