Rep. John Sarbanes, D-District 3, and several members of the Maryland congressional delegation sent President Bush a letter urging financial support for the renovation of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and Refuge in Laurel in the fiscal 2009 budget. The center?s research includes monitoring wetlands, contaminants and biodiversity. In the letter, lawmakers asked for more than $5 million, including $2 million for a new laboratory and office annex next to Gabrielson. Sarbanes, who represents portions of Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties as well as Baltimore City, spoke with The Examiner about the research center.

Why is this an important item to be funded?