Contact: Joan Jewett
Phone: (503) 231-6121
FFS #R1BR, R1GR
ILWACO, WA. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded a $212,400 contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Quigg Bros., Inc., a marine specialist construction company based in Aberdeen, Washington. An additional $12,000 was used to replace damaged or missing signs on the land boundary at the refuge.
The company will replace 25 pylons and their associated boundary signs at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge to clearly designate the 16,950-acre Presidential Proclamation Area boundary. Originally constructed in 1937, the wooden pilings used to mark the Proclamation Area boundary are rotting, broken, and/or missing. This project will replace the existing pilings with less expensive and more durable plastic/steel pilings located in open salt water. At least five workers will be on site during the project.
“We have extensive experience with this type of marine pile driving project, and we have the barges, tugs and seasoned workers in place to do specifically this type of work,” Quigg Bros., Contract Manager Joelle Buckman said. “We are always looking to keep folks employed, and this ARRA funded project helps us do that. In addition, this project is closer to home than most, and ensures guys will be home with their families at night.”
In addition to providing work for local contractors, the signs will help clearly designate private and commercial lands from those protected as a wildlife sanctuary by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937.
“To eliminate any confusion over rules and regulations that apply to Willapa NWR it is important the public knows where it is legal to be waterfowl hunting and where it is not,” Willapa NWR Manager Charlie Stenvall said. “There are many things that are not appropriate on a refuge, and it is important to have these lands surveyed, marked and delineated.”
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.
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,” Secretary of the Interior Ken 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 Maria Cantwell (D)
Senator Patty Murray (D)
Congressman Jay Inslee (D)