[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4286 Engrossed in House (EH)]
2d Session
H. R. 4286
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To provide for the establishment of the Cahaba River National Wildlife
Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama.
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4286
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To provide for the establishment of the Cahaba River National Wildlife
Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Cahaba River National Wildlife
Refuge Establishment Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The Cahaba River in Alabama is recognized nationally
for its unique biological diversity which includes providing
habitat for 131 species of fish (more than any other river its
size in North America).
(2) The Cahaba River is home to 64 rare and imperiled
species of aquatic plants and animals, including fishes,
freshwater turtles, mussels, and snails.
(3) The Cahaba River is home to 12 species of fish,
mussels, and snails listed as endangered or threatened species.
(4) The Cahaba River is home to six terrestrial species of
plants and animals listed as endangered or threatened species.
(5) The Cahaba River harbors the largest population in the
world of the imperiled shoals lily, known locally as the Cahaba
Lily.
(6) The Cahaba River watershed contains extremely rare
plant communities that are home to eight species of plants
previously unknown to science and a total of 69 rare and
imperiled species of plants.
(7) The Cahaba River is home to at least a dozen endemic
aquatic animals that are found nowhere else in the world.
(8) The Cahaba River is the longest remaining free-flowing
river in Alabama, flowing through five counties in central
Alabama.
(9) The Cahaba River is recognized as an Outstanding
Alabama Water by the Alabama Department of Environmental
Management.
(10) The Cahaba River has high recreational value for
hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, canoeists, nature
photographers, and others.
(11) The Cahaba River Watershed supports large populations
of certain game species, including deer, turkey, and various
species of ducks.
(12) The Cahaba River area is deserving of inclusion in the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Cahaba River
National Wildlife Refuge established by section 4(a).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established in Bibb County,
Alabama, the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of
approximately 3,500 acres of Federal lands and waters, and
interests in lands and waters, within the boundaries depicted
upon the map entitled ``Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge-
Proposed'', dated April 10, 2000.
(2) Boundary revisions.--The Secretary may make such minor
revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge as may be appropriate
to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to facilitate the
acquisition of property within the Refuge.
(3) Availability of map.--The Secretary shall keep the map
referred to in paragraph (1) available for inspection in
appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service.
(b) Effective Date.--The establishment of the Refuge under
paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall take effect on the date the
Secretary publishes, in the Federal Register and publications of local
circulation in the vicinity of the area within the boundaries referred
to in that paragraph, a notice that sufficient property has been
acquired by the United States within those boundaries to constitute an
area that can be efficiently managed as a National Wildlife Refuge.
SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS AND WATERS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, subject to the availability of
appropriations, may acquire up to 3,500 acres of lands and waters, or
interests therein, within the boundaries of the Refuge described in
section 4(a)(1).
(b) Inclusion in Refuge.--Any lands, waters, or interests acquired
by the Secretary under this section shall be part of the Refuge.
SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION.
In administering the Refuge, the Secretary shall--
(1) conserve, enhance, and restore the native aquatic and
terrestrial community characteristics of the Cahaba River
(including associated fish, wildlife, and plant species);
(2) conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to maintain and
assist in the recovery of animals and plants that are listed
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1331 et
seq.);
(3) in providing opportunities for compatible fish- and
wildlife-oriented recreation, ensure that hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental
education and interpretation are the priority general public
uses of the Refuge, in accordance with section 4(a)(3) and (4)
of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of
1966 (16 U.S.C. 668ee(a)(3), (4)); and
(4) encourage the use of volunteers and to facilitate
partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
local communities, conservation organizations, and other non-
Federal entities to promote public awareness of the resources
of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and the National
Wildlife Refuge System and public participation in the
conservation of those resources.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary--
(1) such funds as may be necessary for the acquisition of
lands and waters within the boundaries of the Refuge; and
(2) such funds as may be necessary for the development,
operation, and maintenance of the Refuge.
Passed the House of Representatives July 10, 2000.
Attest:
Clerk.