Project Titles:

• Rehabilitate Infrastructure (FFS #R5BD)
• Replace Quarters 147 (FFS #R5BE)
• Replace 6 Perimeter Gates (FFS #R5BF)
• Replace National Wildlife Visitor Center Gate (FFS #R5GQ)
• Replace Bald Eagle Gate (FFS #R5GR)
• Replace Airport/Stables Gate (FFS #R5GT)
• Replace Lake Allen Gate (FFS #R5GU)

State: Maryland

Project Description: What can $6.9 million get you these days? For the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it will provide funding for much needed improvements to the nation’s first wildlife research refuge. For the Laurel, Maryland, community, it will provide work for subcontractors and small businesses.

Patuxent Research Refuge is the nation’s only national wildlife refuge dedicated to wildlife research. Originally established in 1936 by executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the facility gained national recognition in the 1960s when researchers discovered the link between DDT and the decline of many bird species, leading to a ban on the pesticide. Now occupied by both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, the refuge has played a pivotal role in bald eagle population recovery and is home to a breeding population of endangered whooping cranes.

Much of the facility’s infrastructure dates back to the 1930s and no longer supports the world class management and science necessary to ensure the conservation of our nation’s treasured wildlife. This Recovery Act funding will provide much more than a face lift for the facility, it will provide the improvements that managers and scientists need to continue their research.

Work at the site includes designing and engineering an energy-efficient building for the agency’s Division of Migratory Bird Management program, the rehabilitation of several historic structures and the construction of two energy-efficient residences. All of this work must be done with a strong emphasis placed on environmental protection and ecology. To meet these aims, the Service awarded $3 million in contracts to Burgess & Niple, Inc., from Chantilly, Virginia, for design work. The firm has developed a reputation for environmentally conscious and sustainable building design, maintaining its own staff of biologists, geologists and environmental engineers.

The Nelson Laboratory, a two-story redbrick structure built in 1938, is one of the buildings to be rehabilitated. Phase I work on that site will be completed by MacTec Engineering and Consulting, Inc. The Service awarded the firm $1.5 million to carry out the work.
Merriam Laboratory is being redesigned using ARRA funds.

Quarters 147 was demolished and removed by Bluescope Construction, Inc., and replaced with an energy-efficient modular unit. The firm was also contracted to construct another energy-efficient residence. The Service awarded the Kansas City, Missouri, company $711,413 for the projects, which were carried out by local subcontractors. This work was completed in June 2011.

Many aging gates at the refuge have already been replaced or rehabilitated by Hurricane Fence Co., from Richmond, Virginia. The small business was awarded $116,378 for the work, which was completed in October 2010.

“This is a great business opportunity, anything in this economy to create business is great,” said Paul Moss from Hurricane Fence, when contacted in March 2010. “It’s really a win-win,” he said. “It’s work the refuge needs that we can do and it is being done on a location that does great work. It’s a great story.”

Small business got another a boost with the demolition of the outdated and unsafe Stickel Laboratory. General Paving and Contracting, Inc., a small business from nearby Baltimore, was awarded $223,153 to remove the structure. The company was able to rehire five workers who had been laid off before this Recovery Act project.

“This means a lot. Work is very tight,” said Vice President Ellen Quinn in March 2010.

Building demolition was completed in February 2011.

One additional project will celebrate the history of the research refuge. Color-Ad, Inc., a woman-owned business from Manassas, Virginia, was awarded $450,000 to design and fabricate exhibits depicting the removed or rehabilitated buildings, many of which are deemed to have historical significance and must be properly documented before they are demolished.

In all, nearly $16 million in Recovery Act funds are being invested in the facility, $6.9 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and $8.5 from U.S. Geological Survey.

Video: Recovery Act Funds Improvements at Patuxent Research Refuge
Play the video below to see how the Recovery Act is helping Patuxent Research Refuge!

Photos:

News Release: Major Stimulus Project Creates Jobs at National Research Refuge

Originally posted 06/14/2010
Updated 07/01/2010
Updated 07/06/2010
Updated 07/14/2010
Updated 03/09/2011
Updated 03/18/2011
Updated 08/18/2011