Author: [email protected]

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.

For Immediate Release: February 22, 2010
Contact: Sharon Marino; 401-364-9124 ext. 41; [email protected]
FFS #R5FA

Stratford, Conn. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $619,000 contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to the Milford, Conn., office of LVI Environmental Services, Inc., a national remediation and facilities services firm to remove 41 vacant cottages on Long Beach West, municipal property in Stratford, Conn.

LVI Environmental Service, Inc. will demolish and remove the cottages, remnants of a former summer beach community, as well as other debris and contaminants such as asbestos. The company will build a temporary road to transport materials off the site and remove some of the loose debris. The project will then be on hiatus from March 15 through Sept. 15 so as not to disturb nesting shorebirds on the beach. The demolition of cottages will begin this fall.

Information about this project can be found on Recovery.gov at the Barrier Beach Restoration on Long Beach West Recovery Act project page.

“LVI Environmental Services is honored to be working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the Long Beach West project. We share a common concern for the environment and are committed to working together to preserve and protect the fish, wildlife and plants in the area,” said Business Development Manager Craig Lyons. “LVI’s experience with large, complex projects for the government and private industry – combined with our dedication to safety, trained work force and state-of-the art equipment – makes us uniquely qualified for this assignment.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in 2009 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 nationally. The Service will invest approximately $1.3 million of these funds in projects in Connecticut, including the project on Long Beach West and another restoring a seawall on Outer Island, part of the Thimble Islands and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.

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 more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

For Immediate Release: February 22, 2010
Contact: Terri Edwards, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 413-253-8324 or 413-244-4235 (mobile); [email protected]
Stuart Beckley, City of Easthampton; 413-529-1406; [email protected]
FFS #R5EA

Easthampton, Mass. – The City of Easthampton has received $750,000 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to provide fish passage at the Manhan River Dam. A new fish ladder at the site will allow blueback herring, American shad, sea lamprey and Atlantic salmon to reach and inhabit historical upstream spawning and nursery areas in the main stem and north branches of the Manhan River and its tributaries. The project will provide migratory fish access to approximately 11 river miles on both branches of the river.

Through a cooperative agreement with the Service, the City of Easthampton will oversee the construction of a denil-style fish ladder at the dam. The ladder will run up the left side of the dam and extend about 150 feet downstream serving as a ramp for migrating fish to move up and over the impediment. The fish will navigate two turns while swimming upstream to reach their destination. There will also be passage for the fish to swim back downstream.

Information, photos and a video about this project can be found on Recovery.gov at the New England Ecological Services Field Office Recovery Act project page.

According to Easthampton Mayor Michael A. Tautznik, “The fish ladder is an important habitat access project that will return important fish species to a significant portion of the Manhan River. It will be both an attraction in the community and an ecological improvement to the river.”

“With it a decade in the making, I can’t tell you how pleased I am that Recovery Act funds will allow this project to move forward this summer,” Congressman Olver (1st District) said. “This fish passage will boost propagation and the river’s ecosystem. Access to eleven more miles of spawning and nursery habitat will make big a difference.”

The fish passage project has been in the planning stages for more than 10 years, but has remained unfunded until now. The project will benefit the ecology of the Manhan River and complement ongoing interagency efforts to restore migratory fish to the Connecticut River watershed. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in 2009 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 nationally. The Service will invest approximately $3.1 million of these funds in six projects throughout Massachusetts. More information on these projects can be found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Act Projects in Massachusetts page.

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 more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2010
Contact: Phil Kloer; (404) 679-7125; [email protected]
FFS #R4KC/R4KD

Paris, Tennessee – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $2 million contract to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to repair an 11-mile levee at Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

The ARRA funding will be used by the TVA to make much needed repairs on the levee, which is crucial to managing water levels in impoundments where more than 150,000 waterfowl winter each year. This investment will also create new jobs for the local economy.

“This project will ensure continuation of one of the primary missions of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, which is to provide a wintering sanctuary for migratory waterfowl,” Secretary Salazar said. “Rebuilding this levee will ensure the annual planting of crops and management of natural foods for the birds. It also means less destruction of wildlife food and facilities from flooding. Without these improvements, the refuge would eventually lose its ability to provide the best habitat it can for these waterfowl.”

“The dike was created around 1945, when the refuge was established, and was originally designed to manage hydrology for mosquito control,” refuge manager John Taylor said. “It’s a perimeter dike that encloses about 5,000 acres. But it is now used, along with the pumping station, to help control water levels to benefit the waterfowl and other wildlife. It’s become the backbone that supports thousands of wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds along the Tennessee River, and our most important management infrastructure on the refuge.”

“Over the years, the dike has deteriorated from floods and settling, even though we have patched it up as best we can after a flood,” Taylor continued. “This will restore the dike to its original elevation in the places where we have had the worst over wash from floods.”

The ARRA funding will enable the TVA to make the following improvements:

• Nine spillways will be constructed or repaired, and five spillways will be restored to proper elevation;
• Levee tops will be restored to a width of 22 feet on sections open to the public and 12 feet on other sections;
• A long section of the levee will be cleared of vegetation;
• Installation of fill material, gravel and rock on interior and exterior of the levee will protect against further deterioration.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President’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 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 and 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 email us at [email protected]. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

For more information, visit the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge website.

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2010
Contact: Michael Mascari; 303-236-4336; [email protected]
Sharon Rose; 303-236-4580; [email protected]
FFS #R6PG/R6RA

Delta, Colorado – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $1.5 million contract for raceways projects at the Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery.

The funding is provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Boise, ID based McMillen, LLC received the stimulus funds for several projects to include building new fish raceways and converting old raceways into effluent ponds.

“These projects will improve the quality of water placed back in the Gunnison River, as well as create construction jobs in the community,” said Secretary Salazar. “This will benefit Coloradoans for generations to come.”

The projects will help the hatchery prevent disease and fish-loss, while improving fish production and protecting the river from excess waste. Work is scheduled to begin in spring 2010 and should be completed that summer.

“The improvements to Hotchkiss are very important because they will help the facility continue to meet EPA standards while helping us to improve our fish production capability,” said Steve Guertin, Regional Director of the Service’s eight-state Mountain-Prairie Region. “The stimulus funds are a blessing because we can address potential future issues right away and avoid incurring added costs down the road. These projects are vital to helping the hatchery to accomplish its mission for the future.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife received $280 million in stimulus funds.

The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President’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 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 and 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 email us at [email protected]. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

For Immediate Release: January 20, 2010
Contact: Phil Kloer; (404) 679-7125 / (404) 644-7193; [email protected]
Bonnie Strawser; [email protected]
FFS #R4AA

Roanoke Island, N.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $4.9 million contract for a new Gateway Visitor Center and Headquarters at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on Roanoke Island, N.C. under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
The ARRA contract to MWH Constructors, Inc., of Broomfield, Colorado, will fund the design and construction of the new 18,000 square foot facility. The site will house the refuge’s 30-plus staff members and educate visitors about wildlife and conservation in the area. This investment will also create jobs for the local community.

“This new visitor center and headquarters will be a wonderful educational tool when it is completed,” said Secretary Salazar. “It will help spread the word about wildlife and their habitat needs along the North Carolina coast. The project will create construction jobs in the community. It will also help us connect people to nature and tell important stories about issues related to accelerating climate change.”

“We’ve waited a long time for this facility,” said Mike Bryant, project leader. “Besides providing the much-needed office space for our staff, this visitor center will become a gateway to national wildlife refuges by allowing us to introduce hundreds of thousands of Outer Banks visitors to nearby refuges. Hopefully we can show them enough to entice them to plan adventures to the national wildlife refuges in eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia,” Bryant added.

“This facility will be a showcase,” said Stanley Oliver, president for the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society. “It will teach so many people about wildlife and refuges. We couldn’t be happier.”

Established on March 14, 1984, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge comprises 154,000 acres lying on the mainland portions of Dare and Hyde Counties in North Carolina. It attracts about 45,000 visitors annually. One of the last remaining strongholds for black bear on the Eastern Seaboard, the refuge is also home to ducks, geese, swans, wading birds, shorebirds, American woodcock, raptors, American alligators, white-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, quail, river otters, red wolves, red-cockaded woodpeckers, and a variety of song birds.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President’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 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 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 and ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is creating approximately 3,000 jobs through the life of Recovery Act funding.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect to 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 and the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge website.

For Immediate Release: December 23, 2009
Contact: Michael Mascari; (303) 236-4336; [email protected]
Sharon Rose; (303) 236-4580; [email protected]
FFS #R6BK/JG

Green River, Wyoming – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has awarded $2.27 million for the construction of three residential buildings and a bunkhouse on Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. The project is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

McMillen LLC, of Boise, Idaho, will use the ARRA funds to construct the buildings to replace existing rodent-infested structures. The new facilities will be substantially safer and up to 80 percent more energy-efficient. They will have solar heating with radiant floor heating systems. The existing propane-heating system for the two usable houses can cost up to $500 per month to heat.

“The stimulus funds are helping to improve the environment, enhance our facilities, and create job opportunities with projects like this one,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. “With this investment, we will help the habitat and benefit the region for years to come.”

The Bureau of Reclamation built the existing structures as temporary housing for workers constructing the Flaming Gorge and Fontenelle Dams for the Colorado River Storage Act in the early 1960s. They moved the houses to the refuge after completion of the project. Over time, the buildings became mice-infested, making them unsafe to occupy. The Service attempted unsuccessful pest mitigation projects in the past and two of the buildings are condemned.

“This is a great example of how Recovery Act funding can benefit the economy, and the environment. To be able to make safe, efficient housing for our employees and visitors while providing jobs and infusing money into the economy creates a win-win situation,” said the eight-state Mountain-Prairie Regional Director Stephen Guertin.

Mara McMillen, owner of the McMillen LLC, said the project would employ dozens of people. In addition to the 40 employees who work for the firm, the project will provide jobs for local plumbers, electricians, suppliers and other workers from the refuge area.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President’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 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 and 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 email us at [email protected]. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2009
Contact: Amy Gaskill; (503) 231-6874; [email protected]
FFS #R1BB

OLYMPIA, Wash. –  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded a $149,757 contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Allen Bradbury Construction Inc., a general construction and remodeling company based in Algona, Washington. The project is expected to employ approximately eight workers.

The company will replace 15 severely deteriorated piling markers on the refuge’s tideland boundary. The markers are important in protecting up to 1 million shorebirds from potential disturbance. Thousands of shorebirds, primarily dunlin, use the refuge for wintering grounds. Other birds that frequent the refuge include various waterfowl species, brown pelicans, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons.

“This project will mark the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge boundary in the tide flats,” Refuge Manager Jean Takekawa said. “It will help us to better manage wildlife resources, including the thousands of migratory shorebirds that utilize the refuge every year.”

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.

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2009
Contact: Amy Gaskill; (503) 231-6874; [email protected]
FFS #R1BA

HAMER, Idaho. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded a $90,760 contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Burton Construction, Inc., a general contracting company based in Spokane, Washington. This project is expected to employ approximately eight workers.

The company will replace a domestic well and upgrade the electrical systems in one of the refuge’s residences in order to comply with state and local safety ordinances.

“We currently have three issues with our domestic well that services quarters number two,” Refuge Manager Brian Wehausen said. “The drinking water has twice tested positive for coliform bacteria and the well does not meet the current State of Idaho standard of being at least 100 feet from a septic drain field. This project will result in safe drinking water for the tenants of quarters number two.”

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.

For Immediate Release: December 16, 2009
Contact: Phil Kloer; (404) 679-7125; [email protected]
FFS #R4RB

Washington, DC. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a contract of $1,281,000 to Linc Government Services, LLC through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Under the contract, Linc will incorporate several important design elements into the planned Visitor and Environmental Education Center at Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery in Mammoth Spring, Ark. The project will now include an environmental education classroom, retail sales space, additional office space, interpretive exhibits and outdoor features such as a display pond and viewing areas.

“This new state-of-the-art center will be something that the community can be proud of, a place where people, and especially children, can connect with nature and learn about conservation and environmental issues,” said Secretary Salazar. “In addition, it will provide a boost to the local economy, creating new jobs with stimulus funds.”

The new ARRA contract will be coordinated with a previous contract, both of which are with Linc. The Mammoth Spring center received $1.2 million through a Congressional appropriation in 2005 to be used for the design and initial construction of the building. With the ARRA funding, the project can now move forward. “We’re excited,” said hatchery manager Richard Shelton. “We’ve been promoting the idea of an environmental education center at Mammoth Spring for years, and we are finally about to make it a reality.”

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President’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 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 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 and 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 email us at [email protected]. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov and http://www.fws.gov/mammothspring/.

For Immediate Release: December 14, 2009
Contact: Clay Harris; (505) 248-6428
FFS #R2MD

Los Fresnos, TX – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has awarded $681,000 through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to JCF Bridge and Concrete, Inc of Driftwood, Texas to build two 80 to 85 foot bridges, and reinforce a channel wall at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in South Texas.

The two bridges will span two-of-the-three Refuge channels created in the last four years that have helped restore more than 10,000 acres of wetlands. Before construction of the new channels, upland terrain became covered in silt affecting adjacent communities by causing public health and safety concerns and killing native vegetation. The bridges will allow refuge staff to manage the project by providing improved heavy equipment access and greater mobility on this large tract. In addition, the reinforcement of one of the channel walls will prevent the channel from narrowing thus improving the flow of fresh water in and out of the basin.

“Thanks to Recovery Act funding, this project will create work, support the economy and continue a restoration process that provides long-lasting benefits to the area’s ecosystem,” said Benjamin Tuggle, PhD, regional director for the Service’s Southwest Region, which includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona.

Laguna Atascosa NWR is one of the last strongholds in the United States for the ocelot, a small cat that once roamed from South Texas into Arkansas and Louisiana. This species has been reduced to approximately 50 animals in the United States primarily to loss of habitat.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President’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 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 and 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 to 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.

Contact: Amy Gaskill, APR
Phone: (503) 231-6121
FFS #R1EA/R1EB

PACIFIC REGION – The Pacific Region’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program will receive $990,000 in funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to restore and enhance 3,400 acres of wetland, riparian and forest habitat for migratory birds, marbled murrelets, chum salmon and other sensitive wildlife species, Robyn Thorson, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Pacific Region, announced today. These projects are expected to create nearly 30 jobs for several months. In addition to the ARRA funding, nearly $530,000 in private funding will be applied to the restoration effort.The Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has allowed the Fish and Wildlife Service to establish productive relationships with communities, conservation partners, tribes and more than 30,000 landowners while providing both financial and technical assistance. Since its creation in 1987, the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program has established more than 28,000 agreements with landowners resulting in the restoration of over 1.06 million acres of uplands, 649,300 acres of wetlands and 4,670 miles of riparian and in-stream habitat. To date, the Pacific Region’s Partners Program has worked with more than 2,000 partners to restore over 200,000 acres of upland and wetland habitats and 2,000 miles of riparian and instream habitat and to remove more than 250 fish passage barriers.

Recognizing that more than 60 percent of our nation’s land is in private ownership, the health of many populations depends on habitat found on private lands. State resources agencies work closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service to help establish priorities and identify focus areas. With just a little encouragement or assistance from the Fish and Wildlife Service, our partners have undertaken thousands of restoration projects.

ARRA will help fund the following Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program projects during the next 18 months:

Crystal Creek Ranch Stream and Wetland Restoration Project, Idaho – $430,000 (ARRA), $529,832 (Private Funds) = total $959,832

This project will restore 150 acres of wetland habitat and enhance an additional 596 acres of wetland, 793 acres of upland and 161 acres of riparian habitats over the 1,700-acre project area on the Crystal Creek and Spring Creek Ranches in Blaine County, Idaho. The project will be cost-shared with the owners of the two ranches, and a conservation easement and management plan will be established on over 1,300 acres to permanently protect the area from development. Ducks Unlimited and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game are also cooperators on the project. The total cost of the project will be approximately $960,000, including nearly $530,000 of private funds. ARRA will directly fund the wetland restoration phase of this multi-phased project. Restoration activities include excavation of wetland basins and planting vegetation in 13 wetlands. Other enhancement activities include livestock grazing and irrigation management in the wetland areas, which vary in size from one to 14 acres.. Once completed, these restored wetlands will complement stream and riparian restoration work proposed for the area in the future. The project is expected to employ one heavy equipment construction contractor with a crew of five for six months, one re-vegetation contractor with a crew of six for one year, and four environmental contractors, including two biologists and two engineers, for one year. The project will also provide economic benefits to multiple secondary businesses that will provide supplies and materials such as water control structures, pipe, fuel, rock and other materials.

The goal of this habitat restoration project is to restore and permanently protect habitat on the ranch to conserve migratory birds and a variety of sensitive wildlife species, including bald eagles, great blue herons, long-billed curlews, sandhill cranes and trumpeter swans. The ranch owners eventually plan to build an Interpretive Center where the public can learn about the history of early settlement and ranching in the Wood River Valley, the restoration of habitat and conservation of fish and wildlife on the ranches, and how a working cattle ranch and wildlife conservation can coexist. The ranch owners would provide the funds necessary to construct the interpretive center separate from the ARRA.

South Willapa Bay Forest Restoration in Washington — $560,000 (ARRA)

This project will receive $560,000 to restore marbled murrelet and chum salmon habitat in the Ellsworth Creek Preserve near Willapa Bay in southwest Washington. Elsworth Creek is the largest chum salmon stronghold in the Willapa Bay. These funds will be used to hire regional crews to thin 1,700 acres of an overstocked young forest as part of an innovative, landscape-scale forest restoration program. Thinning these forest stands will accelerate the development of habitat for the marbled murrelet, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and other older forest-dependent species. This project is also expected to improve the health of the forest by making it less susceptible to disease, and to also enhance hiking and hunting experiences by making the trails more accessible. Dense second-growth forests that are thinned to facilitate mature old-growth conditions will not require associated infrastructure work, thereby eliminating the movement of dirt that would diminish water quality in the creek where chum salmon thrive. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2012. There is no cost-share requirement for this project, however, The Nature Conservancy is providing substantial on-the-ground work in the associated Ellsworth Preserve that benefits both marbled murrelet and chum salmon.

Under ARRA, the Department of the Interior received $3 billion, providing $280 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that includes $115 million for construction, repair and energy efficiency retrofit projects at Service facilities and $165 million for habitat restoration, deferred maintenance and capital improvement projects. The Service will benefit from an additional $10 million, administered by the Department of Transportation and not included in the Service’s $280 million appropriation, which will be used to rebuild and improve roads on several national wildlife refuges. Projects will immediately create local jobs in the communities where they are located, while stimulating long-term employment and economic opportunities for the American public.

“We are making a bold investment in 21st century jobs and 21st century technologies on our public lands to meet our energy needs, rebuild our economy, and protect our environment for future generations,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said.

The Department of the Interior’s investments under ARRA will help conserve America’s timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and heritage – while helping middle class families and their communities prosper again. Interior is also focusing on renewable energy projects, employing youth and promoting community service.

For a full list of funded projects nationwide, go to the Department’s Recovery Web Site at http://recovery.doi.gov/. For a list of Service projects, click on the Service’s logo at the bottom of the page. Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department of the Interior’s economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on the recovery web site, which will include an interactive map that enables the public to track where and how the Department’s recovery dollars are being spent. In addition, the public can submit questions, comments or concerns at [email protected].

Secretary Salazar also has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force. Henderson and the Task Force will work closely with the Department of the Interior’s Inspector General to ensure the Recovery Program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility and transparency that President Obama has set.

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 more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.