[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 297 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 297

To recognize the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve as a unique and precious 
                               ecosystem.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 1, 2009

Mr. Webb submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
               Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
To recognize the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve as a unique and precious 
                               ecosystem.

Whereas the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve on the west bank of the Potomac River 
        just south of Alexandria in Fairfax County is one of the largest 
        remaining freshwater tidal marshes in the Greater Washington, DC, area;
Whereas Congress expressly designated the Dyke Marsh ecosystem for protection in 
        1959, fifty years ago, under Public Law 86-41 ``so that fish and 
        wildlife development and their preservation as wetland wildlife habitat 
        shall be paramount'';
Whereas the Honorable John D. Dingell of Michigan, the late Honorable John P. 
        Saylor of Pennsylvania, and the late Honorable Henry S. Reuss of 
        Wisconsin were instrumental in passing this legislation and in 
        preventing proposed development along the Potomac River, thereby 
        protecting the Dyke Marsh ecosystem from further dredging, filling, and 
        other activities incompatible with a preserve;
Whereas Dyke Marsh is 5,000 to 7,000 years old and is a unique natural treasure 
        in the national capital region, with more than 6,500 species of plants, 
        insects, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians contained within an 
        approximately 485-acre parcel;
Whereas the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a significant element in the 
        historic character of the Mount Vernon Memorial Parkway;
Whereas freshwater tidal marshes are rare, and the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve 
        is one of the few climax, tidal, riverine, narrow-leafed cattail 
        wetlands in the United States National Park Service system;
Whereas wetlands provide ecological services such as flood control, attenuation 
        of tidal energy, water quality enhancement, wildlife habitat, nursery 
        and spawning grounds, and recreational and aesthetic enjoyment;
Whereas the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve serves as an outdoor laboratory for 
        scientists, educators, students, naturalists, artists, photographers, 
        and others, attracting people of all ages; and
Whereas the Friends of Dyke Marsh is a conservation advocacy group created in 
        1975 and dedicated to the preservation and restoration of this wetland 
        habitat and its natural resources: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve of Fairfax 
        County, Virginia, as a unique and precious ecosystem that 
        serves as an invaluable natural resource both locally and 
        nationally;
            (2) recognizes and expresses appreciation for 
        Representative John Dingell's, Representative John Saylor's, 
        and Representative Henry Reuss's leadership in preserving this 
        precious natural resource;
            (3) celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Federal 
        legislation designating the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve as a 
        protected wetland habitat;
            (4) expresses the need to continue to conserve, protect and 
        restore this fragile habitat, in which a diverse array of 
        plants, animals and other natural resources is threatened by 
        past dredging and filling, a gradual depletion in size, urban 
        and suburban development, river traffic, stormwater runoff, 
        poaching, and non-native invasive species; and
            (5) commends the Friends of Dyke Marsh for its longstanding 
        commitment to promoting conservation and environmental 
        awareness and stewardship, so that the Dyke Marsh Wildlife 
        Preserve may be enjoyed by generations for the next 50 years 
        and into the future.
                                 <all>