John Hansen: “The Bear River marshes in the northern portion of the Great Salt Lake have been a waterfowl oasis and an important…”

“The Bear River marshes in the northern portion of the Great Salt Lake have been a waterfowl oasis and an important inland waterfowl flyway for centuries, and I am pleased that the House is taking action to improve research opportunities and educational experiences at the refuge. To give a little history of the Bear River marshes, in 1843, explorer John C. Fremont described the area by saying ``The waterfowl made a noise like thunder, as the whole scene was animated with waterfowl.'' Later, settlers moved in and began draining the marshes so slowly that no one noticed until 1910 when botulism killed over 2 million birds and another deadly outbreak in 1920 killed 1.5 million birds. In 1928, at the urging of many individuals and organizations, Congress turned this unique area into a National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge soon became a popular attraction for various groups from sportsmen and school groups to wildlife photographers. Then came Utah's 100-year floods of 1983 and 1985 when there was a man-made river running down State Street in Salt Lake City and Glen Canyon Dam was spilling over. Those wet years also caused the rising Great Salt Lake to breach the refuge dikes and saltwater contaminated wildlife habitat, destroyed marsh vegetation and destroyed the newly constructed visitors and administrative facilities.”