BALTIMORE – Today Congressman John Sarbanes met with the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to discuss the need to move forward with facility modernization at the Patuxent Research Refuge, which would create jobs for Marylanders.

“The refuge and wildlife research center are not only a Maryland treasure but a national treasure,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “It is imperative that we commit the appropriate resources so that families and generations to come are able to enjoy the environmental benefits and educational opportunities that Patuxent offers.”

“While these economic times are challenging, reinvesting in America's Conservation Science future is still desperately needed,” said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. “Innovative and integrated science that helps answer some of our nation’s most pressing issues is the foundation for making sound decisions and managing the Nation’s natural resources.”

"The Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates the Maryland congressional delegation's support of the Patuxent Research Refuge facilities modernization program," said USFWS Deputy Director Greg Siekaniec. "Patuxent is one of our nation's finest urban refuges, connecting families in the Washington, DC metro area with nature. This program will address long-term facilities needs, improve scientific networking, and ultimately save operations and maintenance costs for this important scientific facility."

Congressman Sarbanes has helped secure more than $15 million in funding for the aging facilities at Patuxent.  These projects mainly focused on demolition, site preparation and design of new facilities but did not include funding for new construction.

With nearly 200 Federal workers at Patuxent, refuge conservation programs and wildlife science continue in partnership to support the conservation mission of the Department of Interior.  However, recent engineering assessments have revealed numerous health and safety issues in addition to energy inefficiencies and substandard support systems for security and other critical functions

Established in 1936 by President Roosevelt, Patuxent is the nation’s first and only National Wildlife Refuge that supports wildlife research. Additional funding will permit the Refuge and Research Center to construct a new facility for the Migratory Bird Program, a new USFWS wildlife lab, electrical rehabilitation of USFWS facilities, upgrade USGS animal research utilities, rehab USGS administrative offices and construct new lab annex to bring all USGS scientists back to Patuxent.

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