U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will provide $9,775,000 to the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for construction, energy efficiency, habitat restoration and other improvement projects to create jobs and the preserve the nation’s fish and wildlife resources. A total of $10.6 million has been administered to New York State wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries and other public and private lands to ensure that the nation’s fish and wildlife resources, landscapes, and rich heritage are conserved for future generations. The projects will benefit National Wildlife Refuges such as the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, where the funding will be spent to create an energy-efficient administrative and visitor services facility for nine refuges within the metropolitan New York City area.
“These projects are a wise investment in the short and long term,” said Schumer. “These funds will help the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge preserve the rich history and natural heritage of Long Island by conserving energy and restoring awe-inspiring landscapes, important historic sites and crucial wildlife habitat for generations to come. Long Island’s natural beauty is the cornerstone of our thriving tourism-fueled economy and supporting that sector is key to preserving and creating jobs.”
“It is important that we invest in New York’s indispensable natural, economic, and recreational resources like the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Restoring, conserving, and preserving our environment will promote economic revitalization in our communities. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer to ensure that New York receives its fair share of federal dollars.”
The Long Island Complex is comprised of eight National Wildlife Refuges and one Wildlife Management Area, covering almost 6,500 acres of Long Island. The primary purpose for each refuge in the complex is to protect and benefit wildlife. These nine units consist of many of the habitat types found on Long Island that are critical to migratory birds, endangered species and other wildlife. The funding will be spent to create an energy-efficient administrative and visitor services facility for the nine refuges within the metropolitan New York City area.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will provide $9,775,000 to the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge and a total of $10.6 million in funding for projects in New York State. The projects will immediately create local jobs in communities across New York, while stimulating long-term employment and economic opportunities for the American public.
The funding for New York State will go to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service projects, including:
Capital Improvements
Deferred Maintenance of facilities and infrastructure
Habitat Restoration
Reconstruction and Repair of Service buildings and other structures
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