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

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 Arkansas. Across its Bureaus, the Department will invest $10.7 million in Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas include:

National Park Service – $2 million in funding

• Rehabilitate trails parkwide and several maintenance projects at Buffalo National River
• Repair storm-damaged historic assets at Fort Smith National Historic Site
• Rehabilitate 20 miles of trails parkwide at Hot Springs National Park
• Repair storm-damaged park assets at Pea Ridge National Military Park

Fish & Wildlife Service – $8.3 million in funding

• Construct new visitor contact station and multiple maintenance projects at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge
• Repair damaged retaining wall and replace deteriorated Big Lake NWR Headquarters Building
• Rehabilitate Bank of Brinkley boat ramp and parking area at Cache National Wildlife Refuge
• Conduct study for microturbine installation at Greers Ferry NFH and replace HVAC system
• Construct visitor center and several maintenance repairs.
• Rehabilitate damaged dirt road that goes to the Jace Lake and Little River boat ramp and parking lot at Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge
• Multiple maintenance projects at Wapanocca and White River National Wildlife Refuges.

U.S. Geological Survey – $300,000 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 Arkansas, please click here: http://recovery.doi.gov/AR