The projects will preserve and protect national icons and historic landscapes, improve energy efficiency and renewable energy use, remediate abandoned mines and surrounding lands, and provide $15 million in grants to protect and restore buildings at historically black colleges and universities. Additional funding through the Federal Highway Administration will improve park roads. All projects are NPS priorities and meet the Recovery Act’s criteria of addressing highest mission needs, generating the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time, and creating lasting value for the public.

Last week, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited the Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim to highlight $10.8 million in projects under the ARRA economic recovery package. The projects include trail repairs, improvements to wastewater systems, repair and rehabilitation of housing, and improvements to the park’s visitor center.