BLM Colorado announces new position to coordinate stimulus funding
By Vanessa Delgado
BLM Colorado named Stuart Cox as the statewide coordinator for stimulus funding activities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which will invest more than $20.7 million in BLM Colorado public lands.
The Recovery Act was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. BLM Colorado projects will ensure public lands are part of the national effort to modernize our nation's infrastructure and enhance energy independence.
Cox, who will assume the position July 19, will coordinate project movement through the system and funding tracking for stimulus projects. So far, BLM Colorado has 103 tentative projects listed in the works as part of the Recovery Act. These projects include restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitat, clean-up of abandoned mines, construction and improve infrastructure and energy efficiency of BLM facilities, and analyses for renewable energy projects on public lands. Not only will these projects infuse jobs and funding into Colorado’s local economies, they also help conserve our precious natural resources.
“BLM Colorado wants to ensure we use Recovery Act money in a way that is useful to public lands and resources, and revitalizes our economy to create employment and investment opportunities,” Cox said. “My job will be to provide oversight that projects are completed, and that they are completed on schedule.”
Currently, BLM Colorado is still in the planning and design processes for Recovery Act projects.
Cox began working for the BLM in 1972 as a fire fighter for the Glenwood Springs District Office and has since held positions in Colorado, Nevada and Washington D.C. as an engineer. Cox is currently serving as the BLM Colorado Branch Chief for Engineering, Construction and Maintenance, and as state engineer. BLM Colorado State Property Manager, Martin Cobb, will also being working with Cox to assist with coordinating efforts for Recovery Act projects. Cobb will assume his new position July 19.
How Will ARRA Money be Used?
Renewable Energy Authorization
One of the President’s specific goals in implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is supporting the renewable energy industry and providing capital over the next three years to eventually double domestic renewable energy capacity. Aiding in our nation’s move toward a clean energy economy, the Bureau of Land Management will expedite the processing and permitting of environmentally-responsible renewable energy development on the National System of Public Lands.
Abandoned Mine Land Remediation and Alaska Legacy Well
With funding received from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Bureau of Land Management will address abandoned mine land and abandoned well projects. Most of the abandoned mine land projects were selected for ARRA funding because of physical safety hazards and their close proximity to public places and high-use areas such as trails, designated off-highway vehicle areas, and picnic areas.
Habitat Restoration
The Bureau of Land Management will use a portion of funds from the ARRA to restore and protect habitats supporting at-risk plant and animal communities in the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System. Other special BLM areas, such as Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Special Recreation Management Areas, Wildland Urban Interface areas, and riparian areas on other BLM-managed public lands will also receive ARRA funding for important restoration work. Riparian-wetlands play a prominent role in ensuring a life-sustaining and precious supply of water, acting as key indicators of watershed health.
Roads, Bridges, and Trails
The Bureau of Land Management maintains over 40,000 miles of roads, 850 bridges, and thousands of miles of trails on the National System of Public Lands. This includes over 18,000 miles of scenic, historic, and recreational trails. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds will be used to fund BLM road, bridge, and trail projects that improve the infrastructure and enhance recreation experiences on the National System of Public Lands. These projects will also provide safer transportation routes for BLM personnel and visitors to the public lands.
Construction and Deferred Maintenance
The Bureau of Land Management maintains many structural facilities to support visitors and users of the BLM’s National System of Public Lands. To help maintain these facilities, the BLM invests in capital improvements, including replacing aging and deficient communication towers; constructing facilities at popular recreation sites; installing energy-efficient systems on buildings to reduce energy use and related costs; repairing or replacing comfort stations, potable water systems and waste water treatment facilities; constructing new BLM facilities consistent with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards; and replacing buildings due to critical health and safety issues.
Source: www.recovery.gov
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