WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of the Interior unveiled a series of significant initiatives last week, ranging from advancing domestic energy production and strengthening outdoor recreation access to enhancing scientific integrity in federal decision-making and announcing a key leadership transition within the United States Park Police.
Coal Lease Sales Advance in Alabama, Utah, and Montana
The Interior Department confirmed it will move forward with three competitive coal lease sales this fall in Alabama, Utah, and Montana, reinforcing the administration’s focus on bolstering American energy independence and supporting local economies.
In Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will auction 14,050 acres containing an estimated 53 million tons of metallurgical coal, a critical material for steel production.
In Emery County, Utah, the Little Eccles Tract — about 120 acres with approximately 1.29 million tons of recoverable coal — will be offered in response to an application from Canyon Fuel Company, operator of the Skyline Mine since 1981.
In Big Horn County, Montana, the BLM will lease roughly 1,262 acres estimated to contain 167.5 million tons of coal, potentially extending operations at the Spring Creek Mine through 2051.
Each lease will undergo stringent environmental review and requires winning bidders to meet fair market value standards and secure all necessary state and federal permits before mining begins.
Restoring “Gold Standard Science” in Federal Decision-Making
The Interior Department also issued a new Secretary’s Order implementing President Trump’s Executive Order 14303, “Restoring Gold Standard Science.” The policy reinstates the 2018 “Promoting Open Science” framework, reversing recent changes that Interior officials said weakened data transparency and public trust.
Under the policy, scientific information used in rulemaking must be peer-reviewed, reproducible, and publicly accessible where possible. Agency decisions will be required to clearly communicate uncertainty, error margins, and underlying assumptions.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized the goal of “restoring the American people’s trust” by ensuring federal actions are grounded in verifiable, transparent research. The department will review existing scientific integrity policies, launch a public rulemaking process, and align its standards with broader federal efforts to safeguard the integrity of government-funded research.
Record $437 Million Allocation to Expand Outdoor Recreation
In a separate announcement, the Interior Department unveiled Secretary’s Order 3442 alongside a historic $437.4 million allocation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to support outdoor recreation projects across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
The funding — the largest LWCF allocation in history — will support park development, conservation efforts, and recreational infrastructure, with priority given to projects that also improve wildlife habitats, safeguard water quality, and provide flood protection.
The allocation includes:
- $292.2 million from the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025
- $117.4 million from qualified revenues under P.L. 109-432
- $27.8 million from the Secretary’s Contingency Reserve Fund
Interior officials stressed that the investments are designed to expand access to green spaces, particularly in underserved and urban communities, and to strengthen local economies while preserving natural landscapes for future generations.
U.S. Park Police Chief Jessica Taylor Announces Retirement
The department also confirmed the upcoming retirement of U.S. Park Police Chief Jessica M.E. Taylor after more than two decades of public service. Chief Taylor will remain in her role until September 20, 2025, to assist with ongoing surge operations aimed at maintaining public safety in high-profile federal areas.
Under Taylor’s leadership, the United States Park Police oversaw protection operations in Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco, while safeguarding national monuments, public lands, and millions of annual visitors.
Taylor’s tenure included strengthening criminal investigations and enhancing federal landmark security protocols. She will transition into a new role as Chief Security and Resiliency Officer at the Social Security Administration under a political appointment in the Trump administration.
Interior officials said a successor to Chief Taylor will be announced in the coming weeks.
A Broader Strategic Vision
Taken together, these initiatives reflect the department’s multi-pronged agenda to boost domestic energy production, expand public access to natural spaces, rebuild confidence in federal decision-making, and modernize leadership across key agencies.
By advancing policies that align with the administration’s priorities of energy independence, scientific transparency, and outdoor investment, Interior officials framed these actions as part of a larger effort to strengthen U.S. resources and resilience while balancing environmental, economic, and public safety goals.
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