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

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 Arizona. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $319.1 million in Arizona 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 Arizona 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 Arizona include:

National Park Service – $21.9 million in funding

• Multiple maintenance projects at Lake Mead National Recreation Area including sealing mines and the restoration of natural landscapes
• Correct Drainage Deficiencies on Trails to Protect Historic Archeological Sites at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
• Install Wastewater Flow Meters To Increase Visitor Health And Safety and multiple maintenance projects at the Grand Canyon National Park
• Perform Farmland Preservation with Navajo Youth Corps and rehabilitate the Historic Hubbell Family Picnic Area at the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
• Increase efficiency and accuracy of water meters by replacing meters and automating systems in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Fish & Wildlife Service – $5.9 million in funding

• Gila Trout restoration project in the Pinalen Mountain Streams: Ash, Frye and Marijilda Creeks at the Arizona FWCO
• Conduct cultural resource surveys and habitat improvements at the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
• Construct water diversion and delivery system for Topock Marsh at the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
• Solar Photovoltaic projects on buildings for the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge

Bureau of Indian Affairs– $180 million in funding

• Multiple construction projects for schools and libraries
• Construction of modest energy efficient homes through the Housing Improvement Program
• Maintenance on roads and bridges

Bureau of Reclamation – $94.4 million in funding

• Several projects for fish barriers that are required by the Endangered Species Act
• Accelerate construction for Indian water distribution system on the Gila River Indian Community for the Gila River, Central AZ Project
• Seismic Rehabilitation Modifications to ensure personnel safety during earthquakes for the Yuma Desalting Plant and Area Office

Bureau of Land Management – $15.3 million in funding

• Multiple construction projects for solar power installation and safety and security improvements
• Multiple maintenance projects for site safety and security improvements
• Habitat restoration projects
• Remediation of Abandoned Mines
• Renewable energy authorization and permit projects
• Roads, bridges and trails maintenance

U.S. Geological Survey – $1.5 million in funding

• Upgrade or replace 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 Arizona, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/AZ