Project Title: Replace 15 Boundary Markers (FFS #R1BB)

State: Washington

Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has overseen the completion of a facility improvement project at the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The project was completed using $145,264 in ARRA funding.

Allen Bradbury Construction, a general construction and remodeling company based in Algona, Washington, replaced 14 missing piling markers for the tideland boundary. This work helps the Refuge meet its goals of protecting the hundreds of thousands of shorebirds that use the muddy tideflats of the Grays Harbor Estuary.

“The project provides resource protection by providing public information to boaters and others traveling near the Refuge,” Grays Harbor NWR Refuge Manager Jean Takekawa said. “It is now easily possible to see Refuge boundaries, informing the public as to restrictions and enforcement.”

The markers help protect shorebirds, primarily dunlin, that use the refuge for wintering grounds. Other birds that frequent the refuge include brown pelicans, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons.

“Improved resource protection benefits fish, wildlife and habitats of Grays Harbor NWR, and better enables the Refuge to achieve critical goals and objectives,” Takekawa said. “Refuge visitors also benefit as improved resource protection may mean more healthy wildlife in their natural habitat.”

News Releases: Washington company awarded $150,000 in stimulus funding to replace piling markers at Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge

Photos:

One of the new piling markers on the Grays Harbor NWR boundary.

Work crews driving the new marker poles.

One of the new piling markers after construction.

Originally posted 12/17/2009
Page Completed 04/15/2011