WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. Interior Department's $12 billion fiscal year 2011 budget would let it reform inefficient programs while achieving its mission, officials said.
While allocating the $12 billion to protect and manage U.S. natural resources and cultural heritage, and honor responsibilities or commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives and island communities, savings of about $2.7 billion would be achieved in 10 years by reforming inefficient programs, the Office of Management and Budget said in a fact sheet.
The department's fiscal year 2010 budget also is $12 billion. The 2011 budget includes $73 million to build agency capacity to review and permit renewable energy projects on federal lands.
Among other things, the budget would eliminate payments to coal-producing states that don't need funds to clean up abandon mines, as well as charge a fee to oil companies to process oil and gas drilling permits on federal lands, and establish fees for non-producing oil and gas leases, the fact sheet said.
The budget has $73 million for the Water Conservation initiative to help communities increase water availability through water banks, wastewater treatment and other market-based conservation measures. It includes $459 million for wildfire suppression, including $75 million as a contingency fund to be used only if regular suppression funding is exhausted.
Nearly $2.6 billion would be allocated to the Bureau of Indian Affairs programs for community infrastructure, education, worker training and job opportunities, along with initiatives to improve quality of life on tribal land.
