News Release

For Release: May 4, 2009
Contact: Heather Feeney, 208-373-4014
BLM Recovery Project List by State (including Idaho)

BLM Announces Economic Stimulus Projects:
Investments to Restore Landscapes, Develop Renewable Energy, and Create Jobs

BOISE – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced its first projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – $14 million that will fund more than 40 BLM projects across Idaho. Overall, the Department of Interior will invest more than $3 billion through President Barack Obama’s economic recovery plan, $305 million of which is dedicated to BLM projects nationally. 

“Through these economic recovery investments, we will make a down payment on restoring and protecting the stunning landscapes that the BLM manages on behalf of the American people,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. “Many of these BLM investments will lay the groundwork for our clean energy future by opening the new energy frontier and creating new, green jobs here in America. ”

The $14 million announced on Saturday for Idaho by Secretary Salazar will go to BLM programs including:

Capital Improvement – $657,000

Deferred Maintenance – $7.99 million

Habitat Restoration – $2.79 million

Roads and Bridges Maintenance and Construction – $325,000

Trails Maintenance and Construction – $1.04 million

Renewable Energy Authorizations and Permits – $1.2 million

The BLM projects were selected in a rigorous merit-based process based on the longstanding priorities of the agency, as were all projects included in the Department of Interior’s Recovery Act funding. 

“These projects are not only an investment in the National System of Public Lands, they also provide a positive economic impact for Idaho's local communities and businesses,” explained Idaho BLM State Director Tom Dyer. “Soon, we will be offering many of these projects for competitive bid. Individuals or businesses interested in registering as Federal contractors so they are eligible to bid should visit our website (http://www.id.blm.gov ) and click on the links under the headline Advertised American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Business Opportunities for specific information.” 

Other projects may be offered as grants and agreements, Dyer added. “We are looking forward to working with state, tribal and local governmental partners and interest groups to advance critical land management objectives.” Information on federal grant opportunities can be found at http://www.grants.gov .

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 http://www.recovery.gov and on http://www.interior.gov/recovery . 

Secretary Salazar has also 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-

Summary of Idaho ARRA Projects by Funding Category
Capital Improvement   $657,000
Deferred Maintenance   $7,996,000
Habitat Restoration   $2,795,000
Roads and Bridges Maintenance and Construction   $325,000
Trails Maintenance and Construction   $1,040,000
Renewable Energy Authorizations and Permits   $1,200,000
Administrative Support   $540,000
                                                                         Total: $14,553,000