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

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 Alaska. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $84.6 million in Alaska 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 Alaska 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 Alaska include:

National Park Service – $21.9 million in funding

• Close hazardous mine to improve safety and complete several maintenance projects at Denali National Park
• Install Wind Turbine and Battery System for the Anaktuvuk Pass Ranger Station at Gate of the Arctic National Park
• Demolish and Replace King Salmon Maintenance Building at Katmai National Park
• Perform invasive plant treatment at nine parks using Americorps volunteers and Student Conservation Association interns at several National Parks in Alaska.
• Rehabilitate park trails with Alaska Native Youth Partnership at Sitka National Park.
• Develop shuttle stop and exhibits for the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark and multiple maintenance projects at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Fish & Wildlife Service – $10 million in funding

• Replace several heating oil tanks and restore habitats for nesting sea birds on isolated oceanic islands at Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge.
• Install vertical wind turbine at Penn National Wildlife Refuge.
• Several habitat restoration projects at the Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office.
• Remove wrecked aircraft, drums and trash at Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
• Several maintenance projects at the Bethel Administrative site.
• Install several vertical wind turbines at Izembek and Selawik National Wildlife Refuges.
• Replace flooring, kitchen cabinets and wood decks at several quarters in the King Salmon AS
• Replace old Chevak Headquarters Building at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge

Bureau of Indian Affairs – $6.6 million in funding

• Construct modest energy efficient homes through the Housing Improvement Program
• Maintenance on Road and Bridges

Bureau of Land Management – $38 million in funding

• Several construction projects to improve electricity, water system upgrades, and replace four seasonal offices
• Deferred maintenance to rehabilitate several offices
• Improve habitat restoration at several sites
• Remediation of abandoned mines and wells
• Maintenance on Road and Bridges.
• Maintenance on trails

U.S. Geological Survey – $8 million in funding

• Several maintenance projects to remove discontinued streamgages, cableways, and wells.
• Upgrade streamgages through purchase of High Data Rate Satellite Radios and new technology
• Volcano monitoring

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 Alaska, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/AK