Camp Supports Year-round Research in Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
Contact: Joan Jewett
Phone: (503) 231-6121
FFS #R1GC, R1GD
HONOLULU, HI. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded two contracts totaling $306,424 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Northern Management Services, a maintenance and general contracting company based in Sandpoint, Idaho. The projects will employ eight workers.
The company will install a modern solar panel array at the Laysan Island research facility located within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and replace the deteriorating living quarters tents. The new solar array will be used to power systems critical to researcher survival, leaving the existing system for secondary power needs.
“We are more than 800 miles from Honolulu, and these systems are absolutely vital to our survival,” Laysan Island project lead and Biological Science Technician Cindy Rehkemper said. “The extreme weather at Laysan Island makes these systems very difficult to maintain, and we have been fortunate they have lasted as long as they have.”
“We have extensive experience with these types of projects, and this ARRA funded project keeps us going,” Northern Management Services project leader Bert Wallace said. “Work is work, and we are in the business of building stuff.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. Of that amount, $280 million in funding goes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“These projects are aimed at maintaining and sustaining the important work done by the Fish and Wildlife Service scientists in the remote Pacific Ocean,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. “This funding will improve working conditions and decrease the inherent dangers of working at a facility such as Laysan Island.”
The ARRA funds are part of a stimulus package that is an important component of President Obama’s plan to jumpstart the economy and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so the country can thrive in the 21st century. Under the ARRA, Interior is making an investment in conserving America’s timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and our heritage – while helping American families and their communities prosper again. Interior is also focusing on renewable energy projects, the needs of American Indians, employing youth and promoting community service.
“With its investments of Recovery Act funds, the Department of the Interior and its bureaus are putting people to work today to make improvements that will benefit the environment and the region for many years to come,” Salazar said.
Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department’s economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on www.recovery.gov and on www.interior.gov/recovery.
Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force to work closely with Interior’s Inspector General to ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For questions, comments or concerns e-mail us at [email protected]. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
Congressional Contacts:
Senator Daniel Akaka (D)
Senator Daniel Inouye (D)
Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D)
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D)