Secretary Salazar Announces Department of the Interior Economic Stimulus Projects in New Jersey

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 New Jersey. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $28.6 million in New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 projects funded through ARRA in New Jersey include:

National Park Service – $27.4 million in funding

• Multiple maintenance projects at Delaware Water Gap and Gateway National Recreation Areas and maintenance at the Glenmont Mansion in Edison National Historical Park, and the Ford Mansion in Morristown National Historical Park.
• Stabilize Ellis Island Baggage and Dormitory Building and stabilize Ellis Island Seawall at the Statue of Liberty National Monument

Fish & Wildlife Service – $994,000 in funding

• Removal of the Forked River Game Farm Facilities and return the land to native habitat at the EB Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge
• Complete construction of the Helen C. Fenske Visitors Center at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

U.S. Geological Survey – $248,000 in funding

• Deferred maintenance
• Upgrade or replace streamgages

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 New Jersey, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/NJ