Secretary Salazar Announces Department of the Interior Economic Stimulus Projects in New York

05/12/2009
Last edited 09/29/2021

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 New York. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $63.4 million in New York 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 New York 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 New York include:

National Park Service – $46.9 million in funding

  • Multiple projects throughout New York state including installing power and communications lines for perimeter security on Liberty and Ellis Islands at the Statue of Liberty National Monument
  • Stabilize Ellis Island Baggage and Dormitory Building and stabilize Ellis Island Seawall at the Statue of Liberty National Monument
  • Complete rehabilitation of General Grant's Tomb and Overlook in General Grant National Memorial
  • Installation of photovoltaic equipment at five Sandy Hook Beach Centers in Gateway National Recreation Area

Fish & Wildlife Service – $10.6 million in funding

  • Restoration of wetlands by removing runways and taxiways at Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge
  • Construction of an orientation point for visitors and base of operations at the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Geological Survey – $5.5 million in funding

  • Multiple deferred maintenance projects including the rehabilitation of buildings and structures at Tunison Laboratory
  • Streamgage upgrades

Bureau of Indian Affairs – $360,000 in funding

  • Roads and bridges maintenance
  • Workforce training

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 New York, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/NY

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