Secretary Salazar Announces $7.8 Million in Economic Recovery Funding to Refurbish the Fixed Wheel Gates of Folsom Dam in California

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $7.8 milliion contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to refurbish the fixed wheel gates and appurtenances at Reclamation's Folsom Dam in California.

The refurbishment will be performed by Abide International, Sonoma, Calif. The company will rehabilitate three fixed wheel gates and sets of gate stems, including installing new wheels, seals and seal clamp bars, new hydraulic operating systems and electrical systems, and new monitoring systems.

“This award by the Department of the Interior through President Obama's economic recovery plan provides employment opportunities and an economic boost for the region. The upgrades to Folsom Dam will assure continued water deliveries for power, agricultural, urban, and industrial uses in California,” said Secretary Salazar.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in 2009 gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior.
The ARRA funds represent an important component of the President's plan to jumpstart the economy and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so the country can thrive in the 21st century. Under the ARRA, Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and heritage – while helping American families and their communities prosper again. Interior is also focusing on renewable energy projects, the needs of American Indians, employing youth and promoting community service.

“With its investments of Recovery Act funds, the Department of the Interior and its bureaus are putting people to work today to make improvements that will benefit the environment and the region for many years to come,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said.

Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department'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 to work closely with Interior's Inspector General and ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.