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This week: Secretary Deb Haaland announces $2 million in grants to support state and Tribal conservation efforts while in Wyoming; the Secretary concludes her week-long western U.S. tour at Yellowstone National Park; the Bureau of Reclamation releases a two-year study of the Colorado River Basin, showing a steep decline in water availability; Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau visits North Dakota, where he highlights the Biden-Harris administration’s investments in America’s infrastructure; Interior and the Department of Agriculture announce the activation of President Biden's pay initiatives for federal wildland firefighters, including an increase in base pay to $15 an hour; the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announces the completion of its environmental review of the proposed South Fork Wind project; and the spectacular scenery outside Moab, Utah takes center stage in our social media Picture of the Week!
Secretary Haaland, Wyoming Governor Highlight Migration Corridors and Collaborative Conservation
 Secretary Haaland this week announced $2 million in grants to support state and Tribal conservation efforts, restoring and improving habitat for big game species. While in Lander, Wyoming with the Governor, the Secretary called the state a great model for how to advance collaborative conservation efforts. Enhancing existing wildlife migration corridors and connecting habitat is a priority for the Biden-Harris administration under the America the Beautiful initiative.
Secretary Haaland Concludes Western U.S. Tour at Yellowstone National Park
 The Secretary finished her week-long western U.S. tour at Yellowstone National Park, where she highlighted how the Great American Outdoors Act is making significant investments in park infrastructure, creating jobs, and supporting local economies. The Secretary met with young people conducting conservation projects within the park, as well as with park leadership and staff to find out how they're navigating record visitation levels.
Amid Drought Crisis, Reclamation Announces 2022 Operating Conditions for Lake Powell and Lake Mead
 The Bureau of Reclamation this week released a two-year study of the Colorado River Basin, which shows a steep decline in water availability due to the ongoing historic drought and low runoff conditions. Total Colorado River system storage today is 40% of capacity, down from 49% at this time last year. The study projections will be used to set annual operations for Lake Powell and Lake Mead next year.
Deputy Secretary Visits North Dakota
 Deputy Secretary Beaudreau spent two days in North Dakota this week, where he highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s investments in America’s infrastructure. Stops included a roundtable discussion at Bismarck State College, a visit to the Snake Creek Pumping Plant near Coleharbor, and a tour and roundtable at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
Interior, USDA Announce New Pay Initiatives for Frontline Firefighters
 Interior and the Department of Agriculture this week announced the activation of President Biden's pay initiatives to recognize and support federal wildland firefighters. That means a pay raise for approximately 3500 Interior firefighters, and more than 11,000 firefighters at USDA’s Forest Service. No firefighter will make less than $15 an hour. The Biden-Harris administration is working with Congress on much-needed, longer-term support, benefits, and work-life balance improvements for federal firefighters.
 The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management this week announced it has completed its environmental review of the proposed South Fork Wind project. That project offshore New York and Rhode Island could create up to 1,700 jobs and deliver about 130 megawatts of power. It's another step towards achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of accelerating responsible development of renewable energy to tackle the climate crisis and create good-paying union jobs.
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