May 5, 2009

Alaska to Receive $37.4 M for BLM Projects from Recovery Act

Landscape and habitat restoration, renewable energy projects funded

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced $305 million in funding for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) projects across the country, including $37.4 million for 30 projects throughout Alaska. The money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and is intended to restore landscapes and habitat, encourage renewable energy development on public lands and create jobs.

The money will go toward capital improvement projects, deferred maintenance, remediation of abandoned mines and wells, and recreational trail and road maintenance and upgrades, including projects in Anchorage, Kotzebue, McGrath, White Mountain, Nome, Upper Koyukuk, and Unalakleet.

"It's great to see many of the BLM projects are centered around energy efficiency, and much of the money will be spent in rural parts of the state," Sen. Begich said. "As we clean-up or restore public lands and make them safer and easier to enjoy, Alaska will also see investments in improved energy efficiency, which is key to long-term sustainability."

Of the $37.4 million for Alaska, the largest funding area is $26.8 million for remediation of abandoned mines and wells. For more information, go to http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/bureau-of-land-management/ and click on the state by state detail.

From a Senator Mark Begich press release