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Project Titles:
- Rehabilitate Goose Pen Road (FFS #R4JQ)
- Maintenance Shop Energy Rehabilitation (FFS #R4JT)
- Repair Long Point Observation Tower (FFS #R4JP)
State: Tennessee
Initial Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS, the Service) will use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) funds to rehabilitate Goose Pen Road, make energy efficiency upgrades to the maintenance shop, and repair Long Point Observation Tower at Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) near Union City, Tennessee.
The Service awarded a $122,778 Recovery Act contract to Coffey Construction, a small business from Hickman, Kentucky for road improvements to the Goose Pen Road. Coffey Construction will deliver and spread gravel to cover approximately 1.5 miles of Goose Pen Road.
According to Refuge Manager, Alan Whited, “Goose Pen Road is heavily traveled by the public that comes to tour the refuge, but it’s severely degraded, with potholes and mudholes. The road improvements will mean a much better driving experience for the public that comes here.”
The Service also awarded $798,814 Recovery Act contract to REI Solutions of El Paso, Texas, to replace a maintenance building at Reelfoot NWR.
The current maintenance building, used to house and service the refuge’s heavy equipment, is more than 30 years old and constructed of wood. The new, energy efficient building will be made of prefabricated metal.
In addition, FWS will use $8,985 in Recovery Act funds to restore the Long Point Observation Tower to benefit the public.
The Service established Reelfoot NWR 1941 to manage the northern third of Reelfoot Lake as a refuge for migratory birds. Additional lands acquired in southwestern Kentucky expanded the refuge to its current 10,428 acres. The proximity of the refuge to the Mississippi River has always made the area a major stopover and wintering ground for migratory waterfowl and bald eagles.
The Reelfoot Lake area generates over $27 million annually in outdoor recreational pursuits and provides recreation for approximately 265,000 visitors annually.
September 2011 Project Update: Reelfoot NWR refuge staff completed the repair of the rotting wooden Long Point Observation Tower in June 2010. This project helped stimulate the local economy of Kentucky, as all supplies were purchased from local vendors. According to Deputy Project Leader, Gary Williams, “This observation tower is located on the Long Point Unit of Reelfoot NWR, and overlooks a major wetland unit in the area. This observation tower provides thousands of wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to view migratory birds on Reelfoot NWR.”
Refuge staff completed the rehabilitation of the Goose Pen Road in November 2010. Coffey Construction hauled the gravel and refuge staff shaped the roadway using refuge equipment. The road improvements provide a better experience to the visiting public.
In addition, REI Solutions completed the rehabilitation of the Reelfoot NWR maintenance shop in June 2011. The project employed numerous local subcontractors. According to Williams, “This new prefabricated metal maintenance facility replaced an old wooden maintenance shop that was over 30 years old. The new shop will house maintenance staff, as well as house and service [the] refuge['s] heavy and small equipment.”
Want to learn more? Check out the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge website!
Photos:
 Goose Pen Road before… |
 …during… |
 …and after the Recovery Act project. |
 The new observation tower. |
Originally posted 10/28/2009
Updated 04/05/2010
Updated 09/08/2010
Updated 10/19/2010
Page Completed 09/21/2011
