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Bruce Woods (907) 786-3695
Anchorage, Alaska – From the remote islands of the Aleutians in the south to Kotzebue in the north, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will undertake 88 construction, energy efficiency, habitat restoration, and other improvement projects at national wildlife refuges and other public and private lands, to create jobs and ensure our nation’s fish and wildlife resources, treasured landscapes, and rich heritage are conserved for future generations, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today.
These projects total approximately $10.7 million for improvements within Alaska.
Funding for these projects and hundreds more across the nation comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Of the $3 billion appropriated to the Department of the Interior, the Act provides $280 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – which 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, which is administered by the Department of Transportation and is 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.
“These projects are an investment in America’s future that will help get our country moving again,” Salazar said. “They will enable us to preserve our rich history and natural heritage by conserving and restoring awe-inspiring landscapes, important historic sites and crucial wildlife habitat.”
Nearly $10.7 million in funding will be used for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service projects in the Alaska Region, including:
- Capital Improvements: $650,000
- Deferred Maintenance of facilities and infrastructure: $2.37 million
- Habitat Restoration: $3.86 million
- Reconstruction and Repair of Service buildings and other structures: $1.14 million
- Energy Efficiency Retrofits of Service facilities- $3.27 million
The 88 projects are spread out across the state. They will benefit refuges such as Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, where $750,000 will be spent to restore habitats for nesting seabirds through the use of contract labor or temporary hires; and Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, where $526,999 will be spent to install a vertical wind turbine to generate electricity. Examples of other projects include more than $1 million for fish passage and salmon habitat restoration projects from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and improvements to National Wildlife Refuge System visitor centers and user facilities across the state.
“Whether they turn to the outdoors for subsistence, to fill their freezers with healthful food, for recreation, or simply to recharge their batteries by spending time with wild nature, residents of Alaska and visitors to our state will find that these projects help ensure the future of the activities that are so important to their lives,” said Geoffrey L. Haskett, Regional Director for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Region.
All the projects announced today represent long-standing priority needs identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through its capital planning process. The Service worked through a rigorous merit-based process to identify and prioritize investments meeting the criteria put forth in the Recovery Act: namely, that a project addresses the Department’s highest priority mission needs; generates the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time; and creates lasting value for the American public.
Under the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Department of the Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless natural and historical treasures, while 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/. 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 recoveryact@fws.gov.
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.
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