[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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SENATE RESOLUTION 297--TO RECOGNIZE THE DYKE MARSH WILDLIFE PRESERVE AS 
                    A UNIQUE AND PRECIOUS ECOSYSTEM

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

                              S. Res. 297

       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.

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