Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort 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. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need. Learn more on recovery.gov.

Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

The $3 billion in funding allocated for the Department of the Interior in President Obama's economic recovery plan could create as many as 100,000 jobs and stimulate business activity in communities across America. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, 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 working families and their communities prosper again.

The President has made a commitment to transparency and accountability to the American people for this investment and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has taken action to ensure the Department's efforts adhere to those guiding principles. He has established a Recovery Act Task Force that includes the leadership of Interior bureaus to determine which proposed projects should be funded. He will name a Stimulus Czar to oversee Interior's responsible implementation of the program. Among the major criteria for selecting projects are addressing the department's highest priority mission needs; generating the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time; and creating lasting value for the American public.

"These investments in our American landscapes and icons are the nation's most significant since President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in the midst of the Great Depression, put people to work building the trails, roads, water systems, and other public lands infrastructure that we still enjoy today," said Secretary Salazar. "This is our time—through the investments we make in our nation’s treasures, in renewable energy, and in opportunities for youth—to create a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren."

DOI Recovery Investments by Bureau

Select a bureau below to learn more about how each is contributing to America's economic recovery.