WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports$7.8 million in stimulus funding for Wis. wildlife restoration

$7.8 million in stimulus funding for Wis. wildlife restoration

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WKOW) -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced on Monday that Wisconsin will receive about $7.8 million dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to invest in wildlife refuges and hatcheries, improving facilities, and promoting conservation across the state to create jobs.

The largest portion of the money will be $6.1 million to build an energy efficient headquarters and visitor center at the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in Onalaska.

Other projects will include installing energy efficient photovoltaic panels at the visitor center at the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. The Genoa National Fish Hatchery will receive $405,000 to complete maintenance projects that have been on hold. Habitat restoration projects along the Kickapoo River, Bad River, Toutmere Creek, Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan will receive $839,000.

"The commitment to public lands and our environment runs deep in our state and this investment will help protect our fish and wildlife," Feingold said.  "I am pleased that this stimulus funding will not only help to create jobs in Wisconsin, but will also make energy efficiency improvements to buildings, finish long overdue maintenance projects, provide critical habitat restoration, and ensure that many outdoor enthusiasts will continue to enjoy our state's beautiful wildlife and landscape."

For a complete list of the Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Act projects and plans, click here.

For more information about other Department of the Interior Recovery Act issues, click here.