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By: Robert Janis
Stimulus Money Funds
BLM Projects, Too
By now we have all heard of the Obama
stimulus program, officially known as the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
What you probably did not know is that much of
that money was given to agencies and departments
to use to finance projects under their direct
authority. Even the Bureau of Land Management
got funds from the program. In fact, it is now
funding 18 projects totaling $3,433,500.
According to the BLM, most of these projects are
signing, mapping, and maintaining motorized
routes authorized by recently completed travel
management plans. Most of the routes are
primitive roads and trails that are open to
off-highway vehicle use.
One BLM-sponsored project is taking place in the
Shotgun OHV Trail System in Eugene, Oregon. The
$103,000 plan will locate, design, and
construct. It will allow for the development of
a staging area with amenities such as a
bathroom, tables, parking, and an OHV-ride
training area.
Elizabeth Aleman, outdoor recreational planner
for the Shotgun OHV Trails Development, is
directing the project. According to Aleman, she
has been preparing for the project and has
already lined up people to assist with design.
The staging area will include a beginner's
riding loop and training area along with the
basic amenities.
The project has only recently started and has
completed an environmental assessment as well as
an environmental impact assessment. Currently,
Aleman is working with recreation and
engineering staff on the design. The group will
also be working in conjunction with riders who
use the facilities. “We have a complement of
volunteers who are very helpful and will give us
good insight into specific design features that
need to be incorporated into the site,” she
said.
Currently, she is providing the basic layout of
the site to two people who are a part of the
recreation staff. Next, she will provide the
same information to assigned engineers, and they
will fine tune the plan. All of this will
include components, approximate location, and
dimensions of the site. The engineers will
formalize the design and then the project will
prepare any contracts for private companies to
bid on. Then the bid will be accepted with input
from financial people of the Bureau and then
construction will begin.
It is apparent that the project still has a long
way to go. Aleman said the timetable calls for
construction to take place and to be completed
within the 2010 fiscal year.
“This project has been long in waiting. We have
prepared for it; and fortunately, we have
received funds to actually do something on the
ground. It should be a great asset to the riding
area,” concluded Aleman.
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