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

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 Florida. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $28.7 million in Florida 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 Florida 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 Florida include:

National Park Service – $17.3 million in funding

• Upgrade Water Distribution and Phone Systems at Fort Matanzas in Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
• Conserve historic 16th century armor and resurface trails at the Dry Tortugas National Park

Fish & Wildlife Service - $7 million in funding

• Restore pine uplands and wet prairie habitats by removing invasive cabbage palms on 1,900 acres at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge
• Replace the five bay concrete water control structure at the St. Vincent National
• Install solar photovoltaic array system on the Refuge Maintenance Shop and replace Shop HVAC system at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

Bureau of Indian Affairs – $1.5 million in funding

• Construction by re-roof buildings
• Maintenance on bridges and roads

Bureau of Land Management – $1 million in funding

• Maintenance on Jupiter Inlet National Historic Lighthouse and Keepers Buildings Restoration Stabilization
• Habitat restoration at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area

U.S. Geological Survey – $1.9 million in funding

• Upgrade and repair streamgages

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 Florida, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/FL