Leaders at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Arizona have a mantra when it comes to using federal stimulus money:  “Arizona is a good buy.”

State Director Jim Kenna came up with the expression because they believe the agency is making the most of more than $17 million it was granted through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

Federal stimulus money has enabled the BLM-Arizona to complete 16 projects statewide.  Of those, 13 addressed safety issues on abandoned mine lands.  Mitigating those hazards was an important task for the agency; the Arizona State Mine Inspector’s office estimates there are 100,000 abandoned mines in the state.

While many of those sites are insignificant — either shallow trenches or small exploration pits — and aren’t dangerous, others pose physical and environmental hazards.  Hazardous sites in popular recreation areas can be particularly dangerous to hikers and off-highway vehicle operators.

Mines were remediated by installing access barriers or backfilling the shafts.  At several sites, the agency maintained the mines as bat habitats by placing cupolas that allow bats in but keep other animals and people out.

With any project, BLM-Arizona follows its multiple-use mission: sustain the health and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

BLM-Arizona’s stimulus funding is going to accomplish a lot more.

The agency has 34 projects underway: two to secure abandoned mines, nine for trail improvements, 10 for capital improvements, three to catch up on deferred maintenance of buildings and recreation areas, four to restore various habitats, and six to develop renewable energy.

All projects are planned to be completed by the end of 2011.

One of Kenna’s early goals was to engage young adults through agreements with youth organizations.  The agency contracted with groups such as Tucson-based Southwest Conservation Corps to repair, maintain and construct trails.

Nearly $2 million has been invested in Arizona’s trails on BLM land.  From trails within the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument to the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail that runs through five southern counties, crews have already restored or constructed more than 135 miles for public use.   

Capital improvement projects include upgrading or repairing campgrounds.  The Virgin River Campground in the Arizona Strip District will receive a 50-kilowatt solar power system that should provide 75 percent of the site’s electricity.  The campground is also being improved to meet accessibility standards so more people can enjoy recreational opportunities on public lands.

Two areas are benefiting from habitat restoration projects. In the Mojave Desert, efforts to lessen the risk of wildfire and protect the endangered Mojave Desert tortoise are underway.  And in southeastern Arizona’s San Simon Valley, a two-phase BLM-Arizona project is helping to bring back native vegetation such as cottonwood, sycamore and willow trees, and native species such as mule deer, javelina and the Gila topminnow.

The agency’s most forward-thinking plans are renewable-energy initiatives. The Restoration Design Energy Project, part of BLM-Arizona’s goal of identifying the best sites for solar energy generation, will identify disturbed lands — such as abandoned mines or landfills — that can be repurposed as sites for renewable energy installations.

Arizonans should be pleased with the progress so far. Less than 2 percent of funds were spent on administrative costs. And nearly 200 Arizonans have worked on ARRA projects, according to a report to the Resource Advisory Committee. Officials are looking forward to seeing that momentum continue as projects are completed throughout the next year.

“The response from our contractors so far has been incredible.  They are really giving taxpayers the biggest bang for their buck,” said Kenna.