Contacts:
Ken White, (209) 567-0600
Tom T. Kisanuki, (530) 527-3043 x223
FFS #R8RA

SACRAMENTO, CA - As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received funding to complete a wide variety of reconstruction and repair projects to Service buildings and other structures.

The Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office, located in Northern California approximately 135 miles north of Sacramento, is responsible for providing biological expertise and assistance to entities seeking to conserve and protect the ecosystems of North-central California.

The Red Bluff office recently finished several much-needed maintenance projects at the facility thanks to ARRA money. According to Tom T. Kisanuki, Deputy Project Leader, “The funding has allowed our station to complete needed project work that otherwise would not have been undertaken for years.”

The French Drain project was installed at the Administration Office of the facility. The soil around the station has a high clay content and drains poorly, which contributes to more moisture around the office building.

The French Drain project was designed to achieve two objectives. First, to drain water away from the building and, second, to convey rainwater from the Administration Building’s roof gutter system directly into the French Drain system.

The French Drain system is actually two water conveyance systems built into a common trench. The French Drain has a perforated pipe system, which surrounds the building and drains the moisture away from the building. The Administration Building’s gutter system is now directly connected to underground pipes set within the French Drain. Low-lying areas immediately around the building were filled in with topsoil and amended with gravel to promote drainage.

The project was completed on August 24th of this year at a cost of $5,975.00. The project was built by R.E. Short Construction of Red Bluff.

“The French Drain project went very smoothly,” added Kisanuki. “The work was done within budget. Our contractor, Mr. Rod Short, was very professional and performed the work to our satisfaction.”

In addition to the French Drain project, there are a number of other projects that have been completed utilizing ARRA funds, including:

• Replacement of the Air Conditioning Unit in the Garage/Shop Building
• Installation of Roof Ventilators in the Warehouse/Garage
• Installation of Rollup Doors in the Warehouse/Garage

Two additional projects have been funded. These include replacing an aging, inefficient modular trailer office space with a modern, energy-efficient building and repairing the damaged exterior stucco walls of the Annex Building and Conference Building.

The French Drain project is one of many small projects that will have a large impact on FWS operations across the Pacific Southwest Region. “We’re committed to restoring and protecting salmon and steelhead in the Sacramento River,” said Jim Smith, Project Leader. “Our ability to conduct our activities in a safe and environmentally-friendly way will be improved with this project. The new French Drain system will mean that a seasonally wet area in the lawn near our office will now be effectively drained. Draining this area will eliminate breeding areas for mosquitoes, as well as prolonging the life of our office’s foundation.”

In addition to improving operations and facilities, the ARRA funds are also stimulating employment and economic growth in communities throughout the region. “All the work was done locally and the materials were sourced locally,” said Rod Short, owner of R.E. Short Construction. “That means all the money stayed local. It was a good job and we enjoyed working with the Fish and Wildlife folks.”

This project is just one more example of how ARRA funding helps both the community and the ongoing operations of the Fish and Wildlife Service in these tough economic times.

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.