Jon L. Christensen: “I rise in support of S. 1240 as well, and urge Members to support its passage. This bill includes my bill, H.R. 5097, to…”

“I rise in support of S. 1240 as well, and urge Members to support its passage. This bill includes my bill, H.R. 5097, to expand the boundaries of the Salt River National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve located on St. Croix, Virgin Islands. I would like to express my gratitude to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen), to the ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) for their support of my bill, which will make it possible for the National Park Service to establish an official presence at Salt River for the first time since the park was established more than 10 years ago. Salt River Bay is located approximately 3.5 miles west of Christiansted on the north central coast of St. Croix. It became a part of the National Park System when President Bush signed H.R. 2927 into law on February 24, 1992. Salt River and its surrounding land areas comprise an important ecosystem continuum, the only one of its kind in the Virgin Islands and one of the few left in the West Indies. This unique chain of habitats functions as an intact ecosystem from the dry tropical forested hillsides down to the wetlands, streams, marshes, mangroves, salt ponds, and sea grass beds to the magnificent coral reefs and superb submarine canyon containing deep water sponges and corals. Salt River Bay and its surrounding areas support the highest diversity of bird life known in the Virgin Islands.”