ESTACADA, Ore. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, has awarded contracts totaling $334,537 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to two companies for projects at the Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery. These projects are expected to employ approximately 21 workers.
Combined Effort, Inc., a grading, underground utility and general contracting company based in Jamestown, California, was awarded $185,000 to replace existing raceway walkways that are anchored into deteriorating concrete and do not meet minimum Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA) standards. The new walkways will be wider, more ergonomic and built with sustainable material.
“The walkways are only 12 inches wide and OSHA standards say they need to be at least 18 inches,” Eagle Creek Manager Larry Telles said. “In inclement weather the walkways become slick and it becomes even more of an issue. The primary goal is safer work conditions for employees.”
Five Rivers Construction, a commercial and industrial construction company based in Longview, Washington, was awarded $153,605 to conduct energy improvements including the rehabilitation of antiquated doors, windows and light fixtures in the hatchery building that are not energy efficient. In addition, insulation will be added to improve energy efficiency of the heating system.
“We will replace the HVAC systems and add new windows, so we should see significant energy savings, as well as better moisture control in the building and hatchery nursery rooms,” Telles said.
The Eagle Creek National Fish Hatchery fish production program is vital to the Nez Perce Tribe’s coho salmon restoration program in the Clearwater River, and the Yakama Nation’s coho restoration in the Yakima drainage.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in 2009 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.
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,” Secretary of the Interior Ken 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 recoveryact@fws.gov. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
