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

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 Virginia. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $43.1 million in Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia include:

National Park Service – $40.5 million in funding Bureau of Land Management – $300,000 in funding

• Multiple projects within Shenandoah National Park including the rehabilitation of 16 historic overlooks along skyline drive
• Many projects throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway including repairs to trails parkwide and the replacement of Mt. Pisgah Wastewater Treatment System
• Rehabilitation of trails and removal of exotic plants throughout the George Washington Memorial Parkway
• Rehabilitation of the historic Pennsylvania Monument at the Petersburg National Battlefield
• Repair of historic canal towpath at Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Fish & Wildlife Service – $2 million in funding Bureau of Land Management – $300,000 in funding

• Multiple dam removals at Riverton Dam in the north fork of the Shenandoah River and the Wiley Street Culvert and Wasena Park Dam Removal in the Roanoke River
• Replacement of the water supply system to improve management of wetland impoundments in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Reserve

U.S. Geological Survey – $313,000 in funding Bureau of Land Management – $300,000 in funding

• Deferred Maintenance
• Streamgage upgrades

Bureau of Land Management – $300,000 in funding

• Trail maintenance at Meadowood Special Recreation Area

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 Virginia, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/VA