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Date: May 4, 2009
Contact: Jeannine McElveen, 423.569.2404 ext 232

The National Park Service (NPS) announced on April 22, 2009, nearly 800 projects totaling $750 million that can be completed across the country with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This major effort includes projects in the agency’s Southeast Region, which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is scheduled to receive over $3 million for projects in both Tennessee and Kentucky.   As part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Abandoned Mine Lands Funding (AML), approximately 147 high priority AML projects in 29 parks have been identified for completion at a cost of approximately $28 million.  Big South Fork will receive over $3 million of this funding to plug abandoned oil and gas wells, rehabilitate the areas around these wells, and replace gates on abandoned mines.  Other Big South Fork projects include repairing drainage structures on trails ($68,000), replacing a failing roof ($15,000), and replacing inefficient bathroom fixtures ($18,000).

“This is a wonderful opportunity for several of our National Parks in the Southeast Region to tackle some of their most critical maintenance needs.” said Southeast Regional Director David Vela.  “We look forward to putting these funds to good use as we begin to restore some of America’s most valuable natural and cultural treasures.”

A full list of National Park Service projects is available by following this link.