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Stimulus to pump life into wildlife refuge

Salazar says arsenal, other sanctuaries to benefit from package

By Todd Hartman, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 31, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Mule deer wander a field just off of the road inside the wildlife refuge.

Photo by Joshua Duplechian / Special To The Rocky

Mule deer wander a field just off of the road inside the wildlife refuge.

UP Newly appointed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar laughs with Sherry James, a Department of Fish and Wildlife employee, at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Friday afternoon.

Photo by Joshua Duplechian / Special To The Rocky

UP Newly appointed Interior Secretary Ken Salazar laughs with Sherry James, a Department of Fish and Wildlife employee, at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge on Friday afternoon.

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The massive federal stimulus package would rain dollars on Colorado's wildlife sanctuaries, shoring up visitor centers, tour routes and wildlife habitat, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Friday.

Touring the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, where a $7 million "green" visitors center is in the works, Salazar said the project and others could benefit from hundreds of millions of dollars in spending on national parks and refuges.

Salazar called the visitors center at the arsenal "shovel-ready" and said the work could translate to 120 jobs. Other projects at the former Army chemical weapons factory site northeast of Denver could include an expanded bus tour route for visitors and improvements to habitat for the refuge's resident bison herd.

"If we can get the stimulus package through, then three years from now we can come out here and we can celebrate what is going to be the core of the national wildlife center here at this 27-square mile" refuge, Salazar said with Canada geese honking in the background.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees the refuge, hopes stimulus money could lead to several other projects across Colorado, including an auto tour route at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge in the San Luis Valley, fish ladders in the Colorado River basin on the Western Slope and improvements to a black-footed ferret conservation center near Fort Collins, among others.

The U.S. House has approved an $819 million stimulus plan. The Senate will likely consider its own version next week.

"The president's recovery and reinvestment plan will . . . pump life into our national wildlife refuges, national parks and other public lands by allowing us to undertake much-needed maintenance and improvement projects for visitors and wildlife alike," Salazar said.

Arsenal officials have already raised $4 million for the visitors center and say another $3 million could accelerate the project. A bigger, more modern center would improve the experience of a growing stream of visitors to the site since its transformation from a closed military area to an easily accessible urban wildlife refuge open to the public, they say.

Salazar said discussions remain open about how much money federal departments, including Interior, would receive in a stimulus package, he and couldn't say for sure how that money might be divvied for work in Colorado and nationally.

On a swing through Colorado that started Thursday at federal government offices in Lakewood, Salazar boarded an arsenal tour bus Friday with reporters, state and local dignitaries as well as U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat whose district includes the arsenal.

At one point, a bald eagle sitting on a tree just outside the bus window took to the air, prompting Perlmutter to quip that the bird took off on queue and has been prepped for Salazar's visit.

"It had to be a trained bald eagle," Perlmutter said.

hartmant@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5048

Comments

  • January 31, 2009

    6:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BetterEducated writes:

    I'm sorry, but this reads like a piece of Dave Barry humor.

    "Other projects at the former Army chemical weapons factory site northeast of Denver could include an expanded bus tour route for visitors and improvements to habitat for the refuge's resident bison herd."

    And you pessimists said they weren't doing anything to improve the economy. This just goes to show what you know. The plan is for us to take an arsenal tour of improved bison habitat, now what could be more stimulating than that?!

  • January 31, 2009

    6:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DeimosJB writes:

    Isn't "visitor centers" and "tour routes" kind of incompatible with "wildlife sanctuaries"?
    Yet another reason why the government just needs to get out.
    Further, I love natural parks, I love geese, I love fish, but how do these projects qualify as being "vital to the economic survival of America"? That's what this stimulus bill is supposed to be about right - America's economic survival? Seems that 'economic survival' is just code-speak for all the pork barrel projects Democrats have been trying to pass for 20 years but unable to do.
    The first step to get out of any hole is to stop freaking digging.

  • January 31, 2009

    7:16 a.m.

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    BillK writes:

    Once again, how the #$@! is this "economic stimulus?!?!"

  • January 31, 2009

    7:35 a.m.

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    pak writes:

    Inter-generational theft from our grand kids to pay for this pork. Disgusting!!!

  • January 31, 2009

    7:36 a.m.

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    ghoax writes:

    It's stimulus! & We've always been at war with Eastasia no Eurasia! Watch your Telespeak! You'll be told what to think! Be sure to get in line for the government regulated thermostats that are part of this stimulus plan! (its true) Of course there's global warming, the royal have decreed it!

    Do not be alarmed, Carterous the Great showed how well it works. Barack the provider of hope and change, with his trusted and loyal followers, shall rule the land and save the planet from certain peril and save the common man from having to take responsibility for himself.

  • January 31, 2009

    7:43 a.m.

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    CentennialState writes:

    Sounds like direct spending to benefit the local communities. Much better use of government money then padding Wall St. executives pockets with government cheese.

    WAKE UP PEOPLE!

    What would you recommend? Tax cuts to benefit the wealthy? More money to fight the "war on drugs"? Open our eyes and think for one moment. There are 150 construction jobs (with a government contract) that will be created by this project. That means NO ILLEGAL LABOR will benefit from this money; just some hard working middle class Americans + the added bonus of a improved Federal Reservation that will last in perpetuity. The Bush model would be spending for the rich who make their money on the sweat of ILLEGAL LABOR and "investments".

  • January 31, 2009

    8:10 a.m.

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    VeryOpinionated writes:

    Shouldn't Salizar, if his marching orders was to root out corruption and restore integrity to the Dept. of the Interior, say something like - "it would be really great if we got funding for Colorado's wildlife sanctuaries, but please, Pres. Obama, not in a stimulus package."

    But, no, Salizar has his nose in the feed trough just like all of his former political friends (both political parties) in Washington.

  • January 31, 2009

    8:36 a.m.

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    mytwosense writes:

    Almost every American associates Colorado with being a grand physical environment that is home to wildlife you don't see in many other parts of the country. Tourists from all over the world come here in droves because of that; in fact, tourism is one of our chief economic drivers. It makes sense to me that we would want to invest in wildlife preservation, keeping our visitor facilities in good shape, and so on.

    These sorts of projects generate economic activity not just through visitor fees, but nearby restaurants and retail shops. In the case of national parks, hotels, campgrounds, and retail stores make money, too. All of which preserves and creates jobs, and funnels dollars into our state and local economies.

  • January 31, 2009

    8:38 a.m.

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    Darwin writes:

    CentennialState writes: ...What would you recommend? Tax cuts to benefit the wealthy? More money to fight the "war on drugs"?

    I would recommend that the government allow we Americans to work our way out of the mess that the government contributed to in a large degree in the first place. Having no stimulus bill is preferrable to a "pork" laden package rammed down our throat. If you think this is such a good deal, read the bill (if you have plenty of time) than get back to us and tell us if you still agree with that the many expenditures of the bill will stimulate the economy. You should know by now that the government alway over promises and under delivers.

  • January 31, 2009

    8:51 a.m.

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    mytwosense writes:

    Darwin: "You should know by now that the government alway over promises and under delivers."

    In theory, we have a remarkably good structure of government. The checks and balances in place have made the US government admired as a model to the rest of the world, as does the fact that it's elected by the citizens. However, over the last decade, these checks and balances have been terribly abused. Intentionally, in my opinion, to make people like you think what you do about government in general.

    It's a very simple strategy. Deliberately break something, and then hold it up to gullible people with the proclamation, "Look, this doesn't work!"

    We have a choice. We can reject our own democratic power and trash our system of citizen-elected government, or we can actually get to work making government work for us again.

  • January 31, 2009

    8:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    VeryOpinionated writes:

    mytwosense, excuse my ignorance, but please name the "wildlife you don't see in many other parts of the country." I'll grant you that Colorado has a grand physical environment. I love going to Rocky Mountain National Park, the San Juans, and every place in between. The mountains certainly draw visitors (local, national, and international). But, I think that the largest industry associated with wildlife is deer and elk hunting. If I'm misguided, please enlighten me.

    I still think Salizar should set an example and refuse the money, since it's part of a STIMULUS PACKAGE.

  • January 31, 2009

    9:22 a.m.

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    mytwosense writes:

    VeryOpinionated writes: "I still think Salizar should set an example and refuse the money, since it's part of a STIMULUS PACKAGE."

    The actual name of the bill is the American Recovery and Re-Investment Act. How is investing in tourism, an industry that has proven to generate considerable economic activity and jobs in this state, not going to help stimulate our state's economy?

    FRN4U writes: "as you noted, mytwosense, "in theory." "

    Yes, I said "theory," because over the last decade, there has been a concerted, deliberate effort to dismantle these checks and balances and make government stop working for the people. It's driven by an ideology that I increasingly believe despises the very concepts of democracy.

  • January 31, 2009

    9:24 a.m.

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    Mtnsjohn writes:

    Weeeeeeeeeeeee.....FREE MONEY!!!!!!

    It is obvious that the citizenry is seeing through this "Emergency Stimulus Package" as little more than paybacks to unions, ACORN, movie producers and all the others who scratched the DEMs backs and now are expecting their reward. The other necessary part is the DEMs finally getting the social programs that have been denied them for decades. Social engineering certain stimulates.

    We have to urgently pass this legislation so that the stupid citizens and the responsible media won't find PORK hidden within its pages. Of course, this is transparency.

  • January 31, 2009

    9:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Mtnsjohn: "We have to urgently pass this legislation so that the stupid citizens and the responsible media won't find PORK hidden within its pages. Of course, this is transparency."

    The text of the full bill and the CBO's analysis have been available for public review for days now. It's not like there was an attempt to keep either one hidden. What in the world are you talking about???

  • January 31, 2009

    9:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MikeMF writes:

    I enjoy going to the state and national parks. I would enjoy even more having nice roads, schools, medical care and police and first responders. The pork barrel is nice but not needed at this time. Let's get the important stuff done first. There should be an oversite group (not federal government) who would see that money sent the states is used for necessary needs and not pork barrel.

  • January 31, 2009

    9:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mytwosense writes:

    Mtsjohn: "It is obvious that the citizenry is seeing through this "Emergency Stimulus Package" as little more than paybacks to unions, ACORN, movie producers and all the others who scratched the DEMs backs and now are expecting their reward."

    According to the polls I've seen, the majority of voters approve the bill. I also recently read that most GOP governors support the bill, too. I think the House GOP made a grave miscalculation in their across-the-board refusal to vote for it.

    Here's the article about the GOP governors:

    http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/a...

  • January 31, 2009

    9:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    FCZ writes:

    Another waste of taxpayer money.

    The next two generations of tax revenue is being used for these scams.

  • January 31, 2009

    9:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    farmboy writes:

    Look on the bright side. All the people put out of work by this "stimulus" package will have time to spend in a shiny new visitor's center.

  • January 31, 2009

    10:07 a.m.

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    omgvjj writes:

    Once again, how stupid is this? The state wants to CUT funding for public education, healthcare and higher education. I'm not opposed to the wildlife refuges, but to build a visitor's center, etc.

    Oh, I get it, the jobs can go to those that can't go to college and had a bad education in our public education system because the state cut funding so we would have workers that would be happy with $10-12 an hour and little to no health insurance because...you guessed it! The state cut funding for that....again, Colorado economy going in the toilet, but by God we have great bike trails!

  • January 31, 2009

    10:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mtnsjohn writes:

    MYTWO:

    I am addressing the President's constant warning about time running out....as if it is my job to contact my senator and demand we get this bill passed that will save us from our sins. Just how many "private citizens" have a whole lot of interest in reading the 647 page bill passed by the House? How many citizens realize that to get the funding to "rain dollars on Colorado's wildlife sanctuaries" as part of the stimulus bill we will have to try to borrow it from Red China?

    Many rely on news from the BIG three networks. I have yet to hear a whole lot of reporting or commentary from these networks criticizing the Bill and reporting on its obvious PORK and paybacks.

    How many have read this paper's editorial view that says, in part...

    "Perhaps it's too late in the game to stop this juggernaut, but Congress should take a deep breath and then go back and carefully reconsider whether all this spending is needed or even desirable. And somebody should be asking: What if it doesn't work? What are we left with then?"

  • January 31, 2009

    10:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BetterEducated writes:

    omgvjj, I think you're being a little too negative about all this.
    We will not just have bike paths. We will have bison habitat too.
    Geez, get your facts straight, please. :-)

  • January 31, 2009

    10:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BetterEducated writes:

    Oh, and another thing! -- It will be a bus tour, we won't have to use the bike paths after all and will be able to save them for the next generation (it will be all they have so hopefully they will be suitably appreciative).

  • January 31, 2009

    10:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dinty writes:

    Let me tell you all an anecdotal story. In the early ‘90’s, I was a Budget Officer with a well-known Dept of Interior agency. President Clinton had asked all Federal agencies to quickly submit a list of projects for a possible “economic stimulus” package. I don’t recall the magnitude of that proposal, but it would have been miniscule compared to the one now requested by President Obama. I caught one program manager who actually included a project that was already funded in a regular annual appropriation, because he couldn’t come up with anything new and original. His intent was to get that project on the “wish list” and then use his normal appropriated funds for some other more leisurely discretionary project. That particular “stimulus” effort never came to fruition, but here we are many years later with de ja vu times about 50. I can only imagine all of the outright wasteful and even corrupt spending projects that must be included in this hastily devised legislation. Can you blame me for being cynical? And any of you who think this is a legitimate compilation of genuine Federal government needs are at least naïve, if not blind and stupid. I know what I'm talking about.

  • February 1, 2009

    9:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    redwhiteandBLUE writes:

    The Dems have gotten way..off track!