For Immediate Release: March 3, 2010
Contact: Kim Betton, 703-358-2081, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced that it is replacing some projects originally identified for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) with other projects in order to accelerate job creation and meet critical needs for the Service.
Specifically, the Service is replacing 111 projects totaling $15.1 million, representing approximately 5 percent of the agency’s $280 million share of the ARRA program. These projects are being replaced for various reasons, such as prior completion with non-ARRA funds or site condition or permit issues resulting in unacceptable delays.
To replace these projects, the Service will be carrying out 13 projects identified primarily from existing contingency lists. These projects can be started quickly and meet both the requirements of the Recovery Act and critical needs of the Service. In conjunction with the Department of the Interior and the Office of Management and Budget, the Service selected the replacement projects using established merit-based criteria for expediency of implementation, job creation potential and ability to address high-priority mission needs.
“We’re continually looking for ways to improve our implementation of the Recovery Act and to help the economy recover quickly,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould. “This means at times we must make some tough choices on project scheduling. Projects that cannot be completed within the Recovery Act time frame are being replaced with projects that can be completed on time.”
Projects that are being replaced will remain priorities for the Service, so will likely be completed with other funding in future years. The Service established and follows a formal but efficient process for making timely decisions on project funding reallocations and project substitutions to ensure they are supporting the ARRA goals of quickly stimulating the economy and creating jobs.
Click on the following link for the current list of the Service’s ARRA projects.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. Of that amount, $280 million went to the Service to fund job-creating investments in critical infrastructure and facilities, habitat restoration, and energy efficiency and renewable energy.
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 email us at [email protected]. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.