[Illustration: Front and back cover (clockwise from top photograph on
front) Augustine Volcano, Alaska, 1986.]
[Illustration: Mount St. Helens, Washington, 1980.]
[Illustration: Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, 1983.]
[Illustration: Mount Spurr, Alaska, 1992.]
[Illustration: Mono-Inyo Craters Volcanic Chain inside Long Valley
Caldera, California.]
[Illustration: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR • MARCH 3, 1849]
As the Nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the
Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public
lands and natural and cultural resources. This includes fostering sound
use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife, and
biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values
of our national parks and historical places; and providing for the
enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation The Department assesses our
energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development
is in the best interests of all our people by encouraging stewardship
and citizen participation in their care. The Department also has a major
responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for
people who live in island territories under U S administration.