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

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 Idaho. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $19.5 million in Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho include:

National Park Service – $775,000 in funding

• Install photovoltaic system at headquarters and replace path to campground at the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
• Repair and replace 12 miles of boundary fencing at the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Fish & Wildlife Service – $1.4 million in funding

• Prevent entrainment of Bonneville cutthroat trout on the Upper Cub River, Idaho at the Idaho FRO
• Rehabilitate Pollution abatement pond and water recirculation system at the Kooskia NFH

Bureau of Indian Affairs – $2.6 million in funding

• Maintenance on Bridges and roads

Bureau of Land Management – $14 million in funding

• Several construction projects
• Habitat restoration for inventory and eradication of noxious and invasive weeds

U. S. Geological Survey – $687,000 in funding

• Volcano monitoring at Yellowstone Volcano Observatory and upgrades in the National Volcano Early Warning System
• Upgrade USGS Streamgages through purchase of High Data Rate Satellite Radios and new technology

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 Idaho please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/ID