[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4286 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.4286
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
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.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.