Jon L. Christensen: “we on this side have no objection to this legislation that would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire…”

“we on this side have no objection to this legislation that would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire Garrett Island for its future inclusion as part of the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland. Certainly the protection of the last undeveloped island in the lower reach of the Susquehanna River is a positive step toward preserving the remaining fish and wildlife habitat found near the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. I want to applaud the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) for this bill and for his leadership on this subcommittee on this and many other issues. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has voiced some minor reservations concerning the legislation, as we have just heard. These concerns are mostly due to the administration's ongoing effort to reevaluate current land acquisition policies governing the refuge system. However, the technical changes made to the bill, I think, will help to address these minor concerns. And the relatively low cost of acquisition should warrant a new assessment of Garrett Island by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The island is deserving of the service's full and unbiased consideration. H.R. 4807 is a noncontroversial bill. I also urge all Members to support this legislation to help protect fish and wildlife habitat in the Chesapeake Bay.”