[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 71 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S5379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. EXON (for himself and Mr. Kerrey):
  S. 1780. A bill to revise the boundary of the North Platte National 
Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.


                north platte wildlife refuge legislation

  Mr. EXON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation along 
with Senator Kerrey to revise the boundary of the North Platte National 
Wildlife Refuge in western Nebraska. This bill, which passed the House 
on April 23 of this year, would remove 2,470 acres of land from the 
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge.
  This bill was created through the joint efforts of the community 
leaders of western Nebraska and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It 
is indeed a great example of how government works best when Federal, 
State and local governments work together.
  The refuge, located just outside Scottsbluff, NE, was established in 
the early part of this century as a preserve and breeding ground for 
native waterfowl. The refuge is also home to a Bureau of Reclamation 
irrigation project. Over the years the refuge has been managed jointly 
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation. 
The Fish and Wildlife Service managed the wildlife aspects of the 
refuge and the Bureau managed the recreation. In 1986, the Bureau 
turned over management of the recreational aspects to the Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
  In 1990, a directive was issued that required the Fish and Wildlife 
Service to bring all areas of the refuge, including Lake Minatare, into 
compliance with Federal regulations. It soon became apparent to local 
residents that this directive essentially would prohibit all 
recreational and residential use of Lake Minatare, uses that had been 
commonplace under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation.
  There was no doubt that this directive would have a significant 
impact on local tourism and the economy of the Scottsbluff area. 
Likewise, interest in maintaining the recreational use of the lake was 
very strong among local citizens. At the urging of local leaders, the 
Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to perform an environmental assessment 
of the refuge. At the end of their assessment, the Fish and Wildlife 
Service concluded that the best course of action would be to end their 
jurisdiction over portions of the refuge that were no longer as 
effective as wildlife habitat as they once were and were really better 
suited for recreational use.
  I am pleased to report, Mr. President, that this bill has the 
overwhelming support of the Department of the Interior and the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service.
  I might also mention that my district office in Scottsbluff received 
numerous letters from local citizens in support of this effort. I am 
proud of the work of the citizens of western Nebraska on this issue and 
of the cooperation they received from the Fish and Wildlife Service. 
This effort is indeed a fine example of how the Federal Government and 
local citizens can and should work together to manage our Nation's 
wildlife areas to the benefit of everyone involved.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to quickly support this important 
legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that additional material be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                             Press Release

       Washington, DC--U.S. Senators Jim Exon (D-NE) and Bob 
     Kerrey (D-NE) today introduced a bill that will allow 
     continued recreational use of Lake Minatare near Scottsbluff. 
     The bill would revise the boundary of the North Platte 
     National Wildlife Refuge in western Nebraska so that the lake 
     can continue to be used by boaters, campers, and fishermen.
       The legislation is needed because of a directive issued in 
     1990 that requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to 
     bring 2,500 acres of the lake and surrounding area into 
     compliance with Federal rules governing the use of wildlife 
     refuges. The directive would declare motorized boats off 
     limits and prohibit the use of cabins near the lake.
       ``This is an example of how we can work together to change 
     a federal rule that doesn't make any sense,'' Exon and Kerrey 
     said. ``There is no doubt that the original directive would 
     have endangered local tourism and damaged the economy of the 
     Panhandle. This bill will ensure both the protection of 
     wildlife in the refuge and the continued use of Lake Minatare 
     as an important recreation area for Nebraska residents and 
     visitors.''
       The legislation was created through the joint efforts of 
     community leaders, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the 
     state's congressional delegation. Exon and Kerrey said many 
     residents have called their western Nebraska senate office in 
     support of the bill. Representative Bill Barrett introduced 
     identical legislation in the House that passed last month. It 
     is supported by both the U.S. Department of the Interior and 
     the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I rise to the floor today to support the 
North Platte National Wildlife Refuge boundary revision. The proposed 
bill would remove about 2,470 acres of land from the refuge and 
transfer it to the Bureau of Reclamation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service reports that the land, establish as a refuge early in this 
century, no longer serves the goals of the national refuge system. 
Although the area is no longer suitable as a wildlife refuge, it does 
offer citizens of Nebraska a valuable recreation area. Thousands of 
Nebraska's citizens enjoy both water and land recreation in the area. 
The transfer of the land to the Bureau of Reclamation will allow the 
Bureau to lease the land to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission who 
will manage the property. The Department of the Interior strongly 
supports this legislation.
  I commend both Federal and State officials for working closely with 
the local community to achieve this coordinated agreement. It is a fine 
example of the Federal Government, the State government, and the local 
community working together to improve the quality and accessibility 
public areas.
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