Secretary Salazar Announces Department of the Interior Economic Stimulus Projects in Kentucky

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 Kentucky. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest more than $16.5 million in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Initiatives funded through ARRA in Kentucky include:

National Park Service – $15.9 million in investments

• Closure of eight hazardous abandoned oil and gas wells and restoration of natural landscapes in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
• Repair roof damage and an exhibit case, restore trails and fields and multiple projects to remove hazardous trees at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace
• Replace the roof of the Stearns Ranger Building at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
• Rehabilitate Harlan Road Trail, repair Ridge Trail, install electrical service and repair comfort station, replace exterior of comfort station and multiple projects to improve accessibility overlook at Cumberland Gap
• Rehabilitate and restore an unsafe section of Cedar Sink Trail, rehabilitate the PH2-West building of the Visitor Center and its exhibits, and repair storm-damaged park assets at Mammoth Cave

U.S. Geological Survey – $404,000 in investments

• Deferred maintenance and upgrade stream gauges with High Data Rate Satellite Radios

Fish & Wildlife Service – $196,000 in investments

• Repair of hatchery building lighting and replacement of doors at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery
• Rehabilitate Twenty Islands storm damage at Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

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 Kentucky, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/KY