109 HR 298 IH: To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. House of Representatives 2005-01-25 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 109th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 298 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 25, 2005 Mr. Rahall (for himself and Mr. Pombo) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources A BILL To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge.

1.

Access to Farallon, Navassa, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuges

(a)

Access, generally

The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (in this section referred to as the Secretary), shall provide public access to, use of, and recreational opportunities at Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge under special use permits issued under the first section of Public Law 87–714 (16 U.S.C. 460k), popularly known as the Refuge Recreation Act, section 4 of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd), and regulations issued under this section. (b)

Time limitations

The Secretary— (1)subject to paragraph (2), may limit access to such refuges to specific time periods in any year; and (2)shall provide access to each refuge during at least one period each year. (c)

Priority

In issuing special use permits under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to consideration of permit applications that do not negatively impact opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation. (d)

Conditions

The Secretary may include in any permit issued under this section conditions that the Secretary determines are necessary to protect fish and wildlife populations and their habitat or public health and safety.