Date: May 13, 2009
Contact: Frank Quimby
(202) 208-6416
Secretary Salazar Announces Department of the Interior Economic Stimulus Projects in Washington
Washington, D.C. - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the Department of the Interior’s projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for Washington. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $206.9 million in Washington as part of the recovery plan signed by the President to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st Century.
“As the steward of America’s resources, our Department has a unique responsibility to carry out its mission in a transparent, open manner by arriving at policy decisions based on public input and ‘best science’ practices,” said Secretary Salazar. “After a rigorous process of identifying merit-based projects that truly reflect the longstanding mission and priorities of our Bureaus, I am confident these investments meet the highest standards and will accomplish the goals as outlined by President Obama.”
DOI’s ARRA investments in Washington support President Obama and Secretary Salazar’s ambitious goals to build America’s new energy future, to protect and restore our treasured landscapes, to create a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corps, to address America’s water challenges, and to empower Native American communities.
Highlights of Initiatives funded through ARRA in Washington include:
Bureau of Reclamation- $120.3 million in funding
- The Columbia Basin/Snake River Habitat Projects, a series of projects to improve habitat conditions for endangered species
- Maintenance at the Grand Coulee dam
National Park Service – $62.2 million in funding
- Restoring the Elwha Ecosystem and Fisheries Program in Olympic National Park
- Installing photovoltaic systems throughout Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Fish & Wildlife Service – $12.7 million in funding
- Recovery of bull trout and salmon through the Elwha Dam Removal in Western Washington
- Replacing the McAllister Creek dike and tidegate to restore estuary in the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Bureau of Indian Affairs – $9.2 million in funding
- Construction and housing improvements
- Roads and bridges maintenance
- Workforce training
U.S. Geological Survey – $2 million in funding
- Volcano monitoring at Cascades Volcano Observatory and upgrades in the National Volcano Early Warning System
- Deferred Maintenance
- Streamgage upgrades
Bureau of Land Management – $550,000 in funding
- Construction
- Habitat restoration
- Trails maintenance
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 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. Henderson and the Task Force will work closely with the Department of the Interior’s Inspector General to ensure that the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency that President Obama has set.
For a complete list of projects in Washington, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/WA
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