Monday June 28, 2010
Secretary Salazar Announces $6,839,497.50 of Economic Recovery Funds for Battle Creek Salmon and Steelhead Restoration Project
Source: Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Secretary of the
Interior Ken Salazar announced today that the Bureau of Reclamation has
awarded a $6,839,497.50 contract under the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 for Phase 1B of the Battle Creek Salmon
and Steelhead Restoration Project to construct a tailrace connector and
penstock bypass at the Inskip Powerhouse, part of Pacific Gas and
Electric Company's Battle Creek Hydroelectric Project. The contract
includes building a small bypass at Coleman Diversion Dam on the South
Fork of Battle Creek. The project is in Shasta and Tehama counties near
Manton, Calif.
The contract was awarded to RTA Construction of Redding, Calif. The restoration project will restore Chinook salmon and steelhead habitat along 48 miles of Battle Creek and its tributaries while maintaining continued production of hydroelectric power. Habitat restoration and enhancement will enable safe passage, growth and recovery of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, and Central Valley steelhead. All of the fish are listed as threatened or endangered. Construction is expected to begin in September. "We look forward to the implementation of this phase of the major restoration effort," said Secretary Salazar. "The project demonstrates that through cooperation, federal and state agencies, private industry and nonprofit organizations can restore fish species, while allowing continued production of renewable energy." The Battle Creek Restoration Project is a cooperative effort among the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish and Game, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, The Nature Conservancy, Battle Creek Watershed Conservancy, and other agencies. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 year gave $3 billion to the Department of the Interior. The ARRA funds represent 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 ARRA, 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," Secretary 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 www.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 the president. Contact: |