Work will begin this month on two major projects the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge in North Park the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Thursday.
The federal agency said the two projects are being funded by more than $300,000 of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money.
“The ARRA funds are extremely beneficial,” said refuge manager Ann Timberman. “Without them, we couldn’t have gotten these projects accomplished this quickly. The projects will allow us to use more of our resources on habitat conservation going forward, and less on maintenance and energy costs.”
According to the Wildlife Service, Walden-based Rocky Mountain Fence Co. will be installing “wildlife-friendly” fencing to replace nearly 12 miles of boundary fencing, some more than 60 years old.
Rocky Mountain Fence owner Kirk Hanson said that downturn in the economy has affected his business. But in a statement, Hanson said that ARRA contracts and some private job “will help give us a pretty big year.”
In the second project, Bellvue-based Hydro Electric will install solar panels at the refuge to provide power to the headquarter’s building, a shop and two residences. Electrical heaters fed from solar panels will replace the buildings’ propane heating system.
Mike Carmien, owner of Hydro Electric, said in a statement that the contract is helping him keep afloat.
“I keep my business alive with projects like these. I am trying to keep my head above water, and this helps me do so, as well as the guys who depend on me,” said Carmien.
According to the Wildlife Service, any unused energy will return to the power grid, supplying the wildlife service with energy credits.
Both companies won competitive bids to compete the projects.
The wildlife refuge, in one of the wildest and most remote portions of the northern part of Colorado, is home to such primary upland nesting species as the mallard, pintail, gadwall and American wigeon.
In addition to waterfowl, the refuge is home to badger, muskrat, beaver, coyote and pronghorn antelope. Approximately 1,200 elk winter in the refuge.Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
