Phoenix, Arizona – On May 2, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the Department of the Interior’s projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 for Arizona. The Department will invest $15.8 million in Arizona 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 21^st 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 Arizona 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 21^st Century Youth Conservation Corps, to address America’s water challenges, and to empower Native American communities.

 

Initiatives funded through 54 ARRA projects in Arizona include: 17 Capital Improvements Projects, 14 Abandoned Mine Lands Projects, 10 Trails and Roads Projects, 6 Deferred Maintenance Projects, 5 Renewable Energy Authorizations Projects, and 2 Habitat Restoration Projects.

  

“I am extremely pleased with BLM-Arizona’s project selections under the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” said BLM Arizona State Director Jim Kenna. “These projects address some of BLM's highest priority, on-the-ground work, including renewable energy, capital improvement, abandoned mine land remediation, trails and roads, and habitat restoration. They provide an excellent opportunity to create valuable jobs as we protect and enhance public lands throughout Arizona. Our agency’s pledge is to work diligently with the business community and local, county and state partnerships to both complete projects in an expeditious manner and provide a “best buy” return on the taxpayer’s investment for their public land resources.” 

 

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.

-BLM-