For Immediate Release: August 7, 2009
Contact: Maggie Anderson; (218) 449-4115; Margaret_Anderson@fws.gov
Chuck Traxler; (612) 713-5313; Charles_Traxler@fws.gov
FFS #R3GA
Middle River, MN - Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar recently announced the award of a contract to repair an important component of the water management infrastructure on the 61,500-acre Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge located in northwestern Minnesota. The contract was awarded to Olson Construction TRF, Inc., of Thief River Falls, Minn. Olson Construction won the contract with a bid of just over $301,000, which will be funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“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 national treasures in communities across America, while leaving a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren,” said Secretary Salazar.
One of several projects that will be completed on Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge through ARRA, this contract involves repairing the south side of Ditch 11. The ditch was originally constructed in the early 1900′s and has reached the point of failure. Several sections of the embankment have failed causing obstructions to the water flow, stream bank erosion, and causing the unwanted drainage of the adjacent Parker Pool. Olson Construction will be excavating and re-grading the slopes of Ditch 11 and constructing temporary cofferdams for water control. Geo-textile materials will be placed where needed and existing steel stabilization piles will be cut to match the new slopes. This work will help ensure the long-term effectiveness of this important water management structure.
The Refuge expects the work to be completed this year.
“This is an important project for the refuge, and one that’s been needed for a long time,” said Refuge Manager Maggie Anderson. “I’m glad we are able to get this work done, and to have it done by a local company. We have a few more projects on the refuge that will also be funded through ARRA and I encourage other local contractors to get involved in the federal bidding process and to help keep these funds local.”
Future contract awards will be announced when known. Contract opportunities for all ARRA projects are announced on the Internet at FedBizOpps.gov ( http://www.fbo.gov). More information about this and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service projects is available at http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service.
Funding for these projects 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. Fish and Wildlife Service – which includes $115 million for construction, repair and energy efficiency retrofit projects 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 improve roads on several national wildlife refuges. Projects 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 projects address long-standing priority needs identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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 project addresses the Department’s highest priority mission needs; generates the largest 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 projects nationwide, go to the Department’s Recovery Web Site 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 project 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 Program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility and transparency that President Obama has set.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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.
