49–010

Calendar No. 450

109TH CONGRESS REPORT

2nd Session " ! SENATE 109–258

ELIZABETH HARTWELL MASON NECK NATIONAL

WILDLIFE REFUGE RENAMING ACT

MAY 25, 2006.—Ordered to be printed

Mr. INHOFE, from the Committee on Environment and Public

Works, submitted the following

REPORT

[to accompany S. 2127]

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was

referred a bill (S. 2127) to redesignate the Mason Neck National

Wildlife Refuge in the State of Virginia as the ‘‘Elizabeth Hartwell

Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge’’, having considered the

same, reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do

pass.

GENERAL STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND

The Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge is located in Fairfax

County, approximately 18 miles from Washington, DC. The refuge

headquarters is located in Woodbridge, Virginia, and the area is

managed as part of the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge

complex which also includes Occoquan Bay and Featherstone refuges in Prince William County. Established in 1969, the refuge includes 2,277 acres of mature oak-hickory forest, freshwater

marshes, and almost 4.5 miles of shoreline along the Potomac River

and Occoquan Bay. The refuge was the first Federal refuge established specifically for the protection of nesting, feeding, and roosting habitat for the then-endangered bald eagle. The Mason Neck

peninsula currently has seven eagle nest sites (including 3 on the

refuge), an eagle roost site, and a wintering population of 50–60 ea-
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gles. One of the largest blue heron rookeries in the Mid-Atlantic

area, averaging 1,500 nests, is on the refuge along with the largest

freshwater marsh in northern Virginia.

Almost 4 miles of hiking trails provide visitors the opportunity

to view and enjoy the refuge’s wildlife which includes over 200 species of birds, 31 species of mammals, and 44 species of reptiles and

amphibians. One of the trails is fully handicapped accessible. The

refuge is listed as one of the 10 best eagle viewing areas in the Nation. Annual visitation is between twenty-five and thirty thousand

people.

OBJECTIVES OF THE LEGISLATION

S. 2127 would rename the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

as the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

The late Elizabeth Hartwell’s contributions to the conservation of

the Mason Neck peninsula are substantial. Ms. Hartwell, a resident of Mason Neck and a conservation activist, spearheaded the

movement to protect habitat on the Mason Neck peninsula.

Through her efforts, the Nature Conservancy ultimately purchased

the land for later resale to the local, State, and Federal Governments. Ms. Hartwell also petitioned Congress for the initial $3 million appropriation to purchase land for the refuge. While part of

the broader preservation movement, she is often given virtually

sole credit for the creation of the refuge and the Mason Neck State

Park.

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

This section provides that the Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in the State of Virginia shall be known and designated as the

‘‘Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge’’.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

On December 16, 2005, Senator Allen introduced S. 2127, which

was cosponsored by Senator Warner. The bill was received, read

twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and

Public Works. The committee met on May 23, 2006 to consider the

bill. S. 2127 was ordered favorably reported without amendment by

voice vote.

HEARINGS

No committee hearings were held on S. 2127.

ROLLCALL VOTES

The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to consider S. 2127 on May 23, 2006. The bill was ordered favorably reported by voice vote. No roll call votes were taken.

REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT

In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing

Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that S. 2127 does not cre-
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ate any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of individuals.

MANDATES ASSESSMENT

In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

(Public Law 104–4), the committee finds that S. 2127 would not impose Federal intergovernmental unfunded mandates on State, local,

or tribal governments.

COST OF LEGISLATION

Section 403 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act requires that a statement of the cost of the reported bill,

prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, be included in the report. That statement follows:

MAY 24, 2006.

Hon. JAMES M. INHOFE,

Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works,

U.S. Senate,

Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has reviewed the following legislation, as ordered reported by the Senate

Committee on Environment and Public Works on May 23, 2006: • S. 2127, a bill to redesignate the Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge in the State of Virginia as the ‘‘Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck

National Wildlife Refuge’’; and

CBO estimates that enactment of [this bill] would have no significant impact on the Federal budget and would not affect direct

spending or revenues. [This bill] contain[s] no intergovernmental or

private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on State, local, or tribal governments. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be

pleased to provide them.

Sincerely,

DONALD B. MARRON, Acting Director.

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

Section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate requires the committee to publish changes in existing law made by

the bill as reported. Passage of this bill will make no changes to

existing law.

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