For Immediate Release: September 30, 2009
Contact: Lou Hind; (757) 336-6122 x328; Louis_Hinds@fws.gov
FFS #R5GD

CHINCOTEAGUE, VA - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is utilizing funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to upgrade water systems at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge – a move of vital importance to the regular operations of the refuge and especially to its emergency services.

“By putting these Recovery dollars to work at Chincoteague, we are making an investment in jobs immediately and modern water systems that will benefit the facility for many years to come,” said Refuge Manager Lou Hinds.

The project calls for the installation of an improved, larger water line from the Town of Chincoteague to the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) on Assateague Island. This will include replacing the existing four-inch cement and asbestos water pipeline with an eight-inch PVC line that will double the capacity of the water supply to the Refuge. Crews also will install an underground conduit along the water line route to accommodate future fiber optic/broadband cable service to the Refuge.

The $550,000 contract for the project has been awarded to Branscome, Inc., http://www.branscome.com, a highway and general contracting company based in Williamsburg, VA, with offices on the Eastern Shore. According to Hinds, the larger volume of water will provide a more consistent source of fresh water for Refuge operations and visitor services, and will improve water pressure and capacity requirements for emergency fire response. The larger main will also upgrade the water supply to National Park Service facilities on Assateague Island.

“These improvements will allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide better service to the millions of visitors to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge each year. In addition to creating local jobs, this project supports the tourism industry that is so important to the economic vitality of this community,” said Hinds.

Funding for this project and hundreds more across the nation comes from the Recovery Act passed earlier this year. Of the $3 billion appropriated to the Department of the Interior, the Recovery 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. 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.

The Service will invest nearly $2 million of Recovery Act funding in economic stimulus projects at national wildlife refuges in Virginia, including Chincoteague. Recovery Act projects address long-standing priority needs identified by the Service through its capital planning process. The agency 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.

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. 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.

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 www.fws.gov.