Camp Supports Year-round Research in Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument
FFS# R1GC, R1GD HONOLULU, HI.–The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded two contracts totaling $306,424 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Northern Management Services a maintenance and general contracting company based in Sandpoint, Idaho. The projects will employ eight workers. The company will install a modern solar panel array at the Laysan research facility located within Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument and replace the deteriorating living quarters tents. The new solar array will be used to power systems critical to researcher survival, leaving the existing system for secondary power needs. “We are more than 800 miles from Honolulu, and these systems are absolutely vital to our survival,” Laysan project lead and Biological Science Technician Cindy Rehkemper said. “The extreme weather at Laysan makes these systems very difficult to maintain, and we have been fortunate they have lasted as long as they have.” “We have extensive experience with these types of projects, and this ARRA funded project keeps us going,” Northern Management Services project leader Bert Wallace said. “Work is work, and we are in the business of building stuff.” 9ptThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed earlier this year gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. Of that amount, $280 million in funding goes to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 9pt“These projects are aimed at maintaining and sustaining the important work done by the Fish and Wildlife Service scientists in the remote Pacific Ocean,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. “This funding will improve working conditions and decrease the inherent dangers of working at a facility such as Laysan Island.” The ARRA funds are part of a stimulus package that is an important component of President Obama’s plan to jumpstart the economy and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so the country can thrive in the 21st century. Under the ARRA, Interior is making an investment in conserving Americas timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and our heritage – while helping American families and their communities prosper again. Interior is also focusing on renewable energy projects, the needs of American Indians, employing youth and promoting community service. “With its investments of Recovery Act funds, the Department of the Interior and its bureaus are putting people to work today to make improvements that will benefit the environment and the region for many years to come,” Salazar said. Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department’s economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on /www.recovery.gov and on Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force to work closely with Interior’s Inspector General to ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama. 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 questions, comments or concerns e-mail us at recoveryact@fws.gov. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.- FWS -
Congressional Contacts: Senator Daniel Akaka (D) Senator Daniel Inouye (D) Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D) Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D)Broadcast Reader
200%THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, PART OF THE PAPAHÄNAUMOKUÄKEA (PAPA-HAA-NOW-MOE-KOO-AKAYA) MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT, WILL BENEFIT FROM A PAIR OF CONTRACTS TO UPGRADE FACILITIES AT THE LAYSAN (LAY-SAHN) RESEARCH FACILITY. THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR’S U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ANNOUNCED IT WILL PROVIDE $306,000 IN STIMULUS FUNDING UNDER THE AMERICAN REINVESTMENT AND RECOVERY ACT TO INSTALL A SOLAR PANEL ARRAY AND REPLACE THE EXISTING LIVING QUARTERS AT THE REMOTE LAYSAN (LAY-SAHN) OUTPOST. 200%LAYSAN (LAY-SAHN) IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 930 MILES WEST-NORTHWEST OF HONOLULU AND IS ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY A 4-6 DAY BOAT TRIP. WORKERS AT THE FACILITY USE THE SOLAR ENERGY FOR WATER DESALINATION, COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT AND OTHER BASIC SURVIVAL TASKS.Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument
Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
FACT SHEET
FFS# R1GC, R1GD
" color: #1f497dProject DescriptionTwo projects will benefit remote field camps within Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, part of Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument. At Laysan Island, four housing units and a storage unit within the permanent field camp will be replaced along with the aging solar energy system. The current housing structures consist of wood and plaster platforms, underground anchored systems, and permanent metal-framed fabric structures. Winds and salt spray have caused significant damage to fabrics and metal connections. The storage unit will allow food to be kept indoors rather than outside in 5-gallon buckets, where it is exposed to high temperatures and wind. The existing photovoltaic system is damaged from harsh environmental conditions and has piecemeal repairs. The new system will provide reliable primary and backup power to the field camp for general household electrical needs, communications, and the weather warning system. The project includes the significant costs for chartered ship transportation to this remote area, a 6?day voyage one way to Laysan Island.
The Service will also address energy efficiency needs at the Tern station within French Frigate Shoals. An energy audit will be conducted, incandescent lights will be replaced, and insulated doors will be added. Existing appliances will be replaced with Energy Star appliances.
