News Release Archive

Reclamation Awards $325,199 in Recovery Act Funds for Work at Upper Stillwater Dam

Media Contact: Lisa Iams, (801) 524-3673, liams@usbr.gov
Don Merrill, dmerrill@usbr.gov

For Release: December 03, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Department of the Interior today announced that the Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $325,199 contract to Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction, Inc., of San Francisco for improvement work at Upper Stillwater Dam, a feature of the Central Utah Project.

The work is being done under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 as part of the funding provided to the Department of the Interior, including the Bureau of Reclamation to among other things, restore aging infrastructure and repair aging dams. Improvement work at Upper Stillwater Dam will include resealing concrete control joints on top of the dam to provide long-term protection for the concrete surface; and installation of a new spiral staircase which connects the upper and lower galleries used for monitoring and inspection of dam.

"This contract will provide for important improvement work that is essential to maintaining our nation's aging infrastructure," said Michael L. Connor, Reclamation commissioner. "These improvements will ensure that Upper Stillwater Dam can be appropriately monitored and remain in good condition."

Upper Stillwater Dam is part of the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System component of the Central Utah Project which brings water to Utah's populous Wasatch Front for agriculture and municipal and industrial use.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was enacted in 2009 provided $3 billion to the Department of the Interior.

The ARRA 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 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 President Obama.

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