Groundbreaking Stimulus Project Promotes Job Growth and Conservation at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
Shirley, N.Y. – Groundbreaking occurred today at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge for a $9.775 million visitor center and headquarters for the nine national wildlife refuges located on Long Island. The facility, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will serve as the visitor center and headquarters for the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It will be located within an hour’s drive of more than 7.5 million people. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in March awarded a $7.3 million contract for the construction phase of the 13,000-square-foot-energy-efficient project to T. G. Nickel & Associates, a local company based in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. In addition to the construction phase of the project, previous awards for the remainder of the funds were made to C&S Companies (www.csoc.com) of Syracuse, N.Y., which completed the architectural and engineering design for the facility; Lyons/Zaremba Inc. (www.lyonszaremba.com) of Boston, Mass., for the design and production of the interpretive displays for its exhibit hall; and pre-construction site surveys. The new center will also include an environmental education classroom and other visitor services. “The Department of the Interior is working diligently to create thousands of jobs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These jobs are in communities all across the United States,” said Secretary Salazar. “Investments will build trails, restore habitat, and upgrade visitors’ centers, and much more. It is great to know that these efforts are helping to change lives by putting people back to work as well as laying the groundwork to conserve and protect America’s national treasures.” The building will meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification criteria for sustainability and energy efficiency. The national wildlife refuges on Long Island are some of the last remaining natural areas in the greater New York City metropolitan area, and are located within an hour drive of more than 7.5 million people. In addition to the headquarters at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, other units include Amagansett, Conscience Point, Morton, Oyster Bay, Seatuck and Target Rock national wildlife refuges and Lido Beach, which is designated as a national wildlife management area wildlife management area
For practical purposes, a wildlife management area is synonymous with a national wildlife refuge or a game preserve. There are nine wildlife management areas and one game preserve in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Learn more about wildlife management area . For more information on this project, visit <http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service/long-island-national-wildlife-refuge-complex/ The Recovery Act 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 nationally. Visit the Service on recovery.gov for more information. The Recovery Act funds represent an important component of the President'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 act, Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and 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,” said Secretary Salazar. 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 onwww.interior.gov/recovery. Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force to work closely with Interior’s Inspector General and ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.
For practical purposes, a wildlife management area is synonymous with a national wildlife refuge or a game preserve. There are nine wildlife management areas and one game preserve in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Learn more about wildlife management area . For more information on this project, visit <http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service/long-island-national-wildlife-refuge-complex/ The Recovery Act 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 nationally. Visit the Service on recovery.gov for more information. The Recovery Act funds represent an important component of the President'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 act, Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and 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,” said Secretary Salazar. 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 onwww.interior.gov/recovery. Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and an Interior Economic Recovery Task Force to work closely with Interior’s Inspector General and ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.
