Announcement comes after long-term push for funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the Department of the Interior will provide $7 million in funding for the construction of a new Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Since entering the Senate in 2015, Senator Capito has worked to secure funding for the project—writing several letters to and conducting numerous meetings and calls with officials at Interior and the Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Securing funding for a new visitor center at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge has been a top priority of mine for a very long time,” Senator Capito said. “An analysis found that the current facility is in an ‘undesirable condition,’ and I have worked to make sure we have a facility that not only is safe but will help the refuge grow. I look forward to continuing to work with federal, state, and local leaders throughout this process to ensure this project meets the goals and needs of West Virginians and anyone who enjoys and appreciates the natural beauty at Canaan Valley.”
“When I spoke with Senator Capito in our last hearing on Capitol Hill, I promised her that we would get this done,” Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said. “So today, with this funding for the Visitor Center at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, I am keeping that promise to the Senator and to the people of West Virginia. President Trump is a builder, and I am proud to stand with the President on rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, including the infrastructure on our public lands. I look forward to working with Senator Capito on other shared West Virginia priorities.”