[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 56 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1995

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration of the bill (H.R. 1675) to 
     amend the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 
     of 1966 to improve the management of the National Wildlife 
     Refuge System, and for other purpose:

  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 1675, a bill to amend 
the National Wildlife Refuge System should be called the Republican 
Bill To Kill the National Wildlife Refuge System. Throughout my 20-plus 
years in Congress, I have actively supported legislation which would 
provide increased protection for America's dwindling natural resources 
and endangered wildlife, thus ensuring their preservation for the 
benefit of future generations. I have been mindful of the concerns 
about the continuing reports of neglect and mistreatment on National 
Wildlife Refuge lands. However, the bill before us today, instead of 
helping a delicate system, it would hurt the National Wildlife Refuge 
System.
  This bill to amend the National Wildlife Refuge Act, would in fact 
significantly alter the management of national wildlife refuges in this 
country. This bill would weaken the ability of the Fish and Wildlife 
Service to manage competing public uses of the system; dilute 
consideration of the public interest from refuge management decisions; 
open refuges to new or expanded ``recreational' activities, including 
commercial trapping; severely limit the use of the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund to create new refuges; would create an unneeded 
exemption process to facilitate military use of refuge lands; and, 
would strip refuges of reserved water rights. There are currently 
existing protections and innovative supports for the valuable and 
precious refuge system. President Clinton's Executive order of March 
15, 1996 assures that hunting and fishing will continue to be priority 
uses of the refuge system. This bill, H.R. 1675 is unnecessary to 
advance the interests of hunting and fishing and would do serious 
environmental damage to an ``unrenewable'' system of lands this nation 
relies on for conservation of precious fish and wildlife, which we must 
protect and preserve for our children and grandchildren.

  There are good laws currently on the books that need to be funded and 
supported. Providing recreational activities compatible with wildlife 
conservation is already an extremely high priority for the National 
Wildlife Refuge System. As of fiscal year 1995, over 95 percent of the 
92 million acres in the Refuge System were open to hunting. Most 
recently, President Clinton further amplified this emphasis by last 
month issuing Executive Order 12996 which directs the Secretary of the 
Interior to ``provide expanded opportunities'' for priority public uses 
including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation.
  Major environmental protection groups oppose this bill. The 
Washington Post this morning said in an editorial that the wildlife 
refuge system should be left alone. There is a report that the 
President would veto this bill as currently written. Again, the 
Gingrich Republicans in the Congress have exercised the option of 
wasting time to forward their conservative agenda in a meaningless 
exercise instead of negotiating and compromising for responsible 
governing.
  I intend to continue to work to ensure that America's beautiful 
public lands and wildlife are enjoyed and treasured for years to come. 
For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 1675.

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