Department of the Interior

Interior, Department of the, department of the executive branch of the federal government, headed by the secretary of the interior. Founded in 1849, its original task was to administer the census and Indian affairs and to regulate the exploitation of natural resources. Today it has 5 major areas of responsibility, each in the charge of an assistant secretary: Fish, Wildlife, Parks, and Marine Resources; Mineral Resources; Water and Power Development; Water Quality and Research; and Public Land Management (which includes the Office of the Territories, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs).