Secretary Salazar Declares $6.1 Million For New Office At
Upper Mississippi River Countrywide Wildlife and Fish Refuge La Crosse District
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Upper Mississippi River Countrywide Wildlife and Fish Refuge's La Crosse District in Wisconsin will gain $6.1 million in backing from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The backing will be used to construct an office for the refuge staff.
"The economic recovery investments that the Department of the Interior is making will create jobs by building trails, restoring habitat, upgrading visitors' centers, and protecting Countrywide treasures in communities across America, while leaving a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren," said Secretary Salazar.
The construction of this new facility will help eliminate expensive lease costs at an off-site location and provide an adequate base of operations for staff and volunteers while creating a welcoming atmosphere for members of the public.
The facility will include offices, restrooms, a break room, and a conference room for office staff. The building also includes visitor contact facilities that consist of a multi-purpose room, lobby with exhibit space, reception area, and public restrooms. The facility location will also become a trailhead to provide public access to a restored prairie and other refuge lands.
The new facility will meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) requirements and provide energy costs savings, while providing a modern and accessible visitor facility for the American public.
Constructing the facility will provide better customer service to the public, increased environmental education opportunities and reduce the Service's leased space costs. This plan was identified in the refuge's Comprehensive Conservation Plan.
"The Midwest Region has a long tradition of enjoying the fish, wildlife, lakes, rivers and prairies we are so fortunate to have," said U.S.F.W.S. Midwest Regional Director Tom Melius. "The plans we will undertake in the Midwest as part of ARRA will provide jobs, increase the energy efficiency of government buildings, protect and enhance our natural resources, provide greater opportunities for people to enjoy those natural resources, and perhaps most importantly, help current and future generations understand and share our passion for the natural world."
In addition to the office facility, these funds will also be used to construct a maintenance shop, equipment storage facility and all needed infrastructure. The refuge will also use some of the funds to hire youth as part of the Youth Conservation Corps. This plan provides summer employment for youth between the ages of 15 and 18 and provides them an opportunity to work, earn, and learn by doing plans that further the development and conservation of the nation's natural resources. The most important objective being to take young adults from different social, economic, racial, cultural and gender backgrounds and placing them in an environment where they could cultivate work, social, and educational skills.
The plan costs listed are maximum amounts authorized and not set prices to complete the described projects. All plans are subject to federal rules and contracting practices to ensure appropriated funds are spent in a legal, accountable and transparent manner. All plans are subject to a competitive bidding process and contractors should bid each plan based upon the complete plan description.
Backing for these plans and hundreds more across the nation comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Of the $3 billion appropriated to the Department of the Interior, the Act provides $280 million for the U.S.F.W.S. - which includes $115 million for construction, repair and energy efficiency retrofit plans at Service facilities, and $165 million for habitat restoration, deferred maintenance and capital improvement projects. The Service will benefit from an additional $10 million, which is administered by the Department of Transportation and is not included in the Service's $280 million appropriation that will be used to rebuild and enhance roads on several National wildlife refuges. Plans will immediately create local jobs in the communities where they are located, while stimulating long-term employment and economic opportunities for the American public.
Recovery Act Plans address long-standing priority needs identified by the U.S.F.W.S. through its capital planning process. The Service worked through a rigorous merit-based process to identify and prioritize investments meeting the criteria put forth in the Recovery Act: namely, that a plan addresses the Department's highest priority mission needs; generates the biggest number of jobs in the shortest period of time; and creates lasting value for the American public.
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Department of the Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless treasures - our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and heritage - while helping middle class families and their communities prosper again. Interior is also focusing on renewable energy projects, employing youth and promoting community service.
For a full list of funded Plans nationwide, go to the Department's Recovery Web Location at http://recovery.doi.gov/. For a list of Service projects, click on the Service's logo at the bottom of the page. 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 plan on the recovery web site, which will include an interactive map that enables the public to track where and how the Department's recovery dollars are being spent. In addition, the public can submit questions, comments or concerns at recoveryact@fws.gov.
Secretary Salazar also 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 the Recovery Plan is meeting the high requirements for accountability, responsibility and transparency that President Obama has set.
The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov .
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