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

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 Nevada. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $69.8 million in Nevada 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 Nevada 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 Nevada include:

Bureau of Land Management – $26.5 million in funding

• Multiple projects including habitat restoration, trails maintenance, construction and deferred maintenance
• Remediation of abandoned mines
• Roads and bridges maintenance

National Park Service – $24 million in funding

• Multiple maintenance projects at Lake Mead National Recreation Area including sealing mines and the restoration of natural landscapes
• Repair trail damage in Great Basin National Park
• Install solar panels at warehouse complex at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Rehabilitate nine miles of North Shore road at Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Install of multiple gates throughout Death Valley National Park to protect visitors and preserve resource habitat

Bureau of Reclamation – $13.5 million in funding

• Construct new “green building” facility for Boulder Canyon Operating Office

Bureau of Indian Affairs – $2.9 million in funding

• Roads and bridges maintenance
• Workforce training

Fish & Wildlife Service – $2.5 million in funding

• Install fish barriers in creeks at Lahontan National Fish Hatchery to protect the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
• Restore Sage Grouse habitat in Great Basin
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at Sheldon 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 Nevada, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/NV