Secretary Salazar Announces Department of the Interior Economic Stimulus Projects in West Virginia

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 West Virginia. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $10.9 million in West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia include:

Fish & Wildlife Service – $5 million in funding

• “Greening” the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) through multiple projects such s installing exterior solar powered lighting and replacing the central plant cooling tower/systems with new high efficiency central plant systems

National Park Service – $3.7 million in funding

• Installation of gate to protect visitors and preserve resource habitat through multiple projects and repair old railroad bridges used as trails at the New River Gorge National River
• Renovation of the interior of the historic Anthony library at the Historic Storer College at Harpers Ferry Center
• Roof repair on eleven historic buildings throughout Harpers Ferry

U.S. Geological Survey – $2.2 million in funding

• Deferred Maintenance
• Streamgage upgrades

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 for West Virginia, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/WV