Contacts
Andy Yuen, Project Leader, San Diego NWRC 760-930-0168
Scott Flaherty, Pacific Southwest Region Public Affairs 916-978-6156
SACRAMENTO--The Pacific Southwest Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the award of a contract to design a new administrative headquarters, visitor contact station (VCS) and service facility for the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC) in San Diego, California. Line and Space, LLC of Tucson, Arizona, was awarded the contract to plan and design the $6 million construction project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The value of the design and engineering contract is $820,255.
The new facility will be located on the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), adjacent to the Chula Vista Nature Center in Chula Vista, California. The buildings will be approximately 7,500 square feet and consolidate Refuge administration, resource management, and maintenance operations, functions that are currently spread out among the Complex’s four refuges in San Diego County.
“This new facility will improve management efficiencies by locating our staff together and enhance opportunities to develop partnerships with our neighboring communities in San Diego County,” said Andy Yuen, project leader of the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. “The location will bring visitors from the Chula Vista Nature Center onto the Refuge to explore the trails, observe wildlife, and foster connections with nature.”
The new headquarters will also allow the Service to vacate existing leased space, located one hour from the nearest refuge unit. Eliminating costs for leased space will save the Service over $710,000 during the typical 13-year lease period ($55,000 per year.)
The administrative headquarters, VCS, and service building will also be built to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification standards.
Today’s award is for design and related engineering services only and is not an award for construction. The Service anticipates the design phase to be completed by March 2010 with construction commencing by June or July. Construction-related contract awards for this project will be announced when known. More information about this project and other ARRA project in California, Nevada and Klamath Basin is available at http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service . Information about the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex is available at http://www.fws.gov/sandiegorefuges .
The San Diego NWRC project is one of 59 projects spread out through both California and Nevada and the Klamath Basin. In addition to benefiting San Diego NWRC, the projects will benefit other National Wildlife Refuges such as the San Francisco Bay NWR in Alameda County, California, and San Luis NWR in Merced County, California, where a total of $10.9755 million will be spent to construct energy efficient headquarters and visitor facilities. Funds will also go to National Fish Hatcheries in California and Nevada, where $624,000 will be spent to make energy efficiency upgrades. Other project highlights include:
- $245,000 to create “walking wetlands” at Tule Lake NWR.
- $107,000 to fund the Susie Creek Fish Barrier as part of the Western Native Trout Initiative.
- Arcata Fish and Wildlife Office: $246,000 for Humboldt Bay Restoration Projects;
- Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office: $211,000 for Catalina Coastal and Maritime Habitat Restoration;
- Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office: $170,000 for stream barrier removal to benefit threatened steelhead and coho salmon; and
- Red Bluff Fish and Wildlife Office: $435,000 for Restoration of Big Bear Flats.
- Region-wide: $777,000 to install photovoltaic systems at Service facilities.
Under the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Department of the Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless natural and historical treasures, while also focusing on renewable energy projects, employing youth and promoting community service.
For a full list of funded projects nationwide, go to the Department’s Recovery Web Site at http://recovery.doi.gov/. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department of the Interior’s economic recovery projects. 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.
Contract opportunities for all Recovery and Reinvestment Act projects are announced on the Internet at FedBizOpps.gov ( www.fbo.gov ). More information about this and other Fish and Wildlife Service projects is available at http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service .
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 .
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