[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              PETTAQUAMSCUTT COVE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I am delighted to join with my colleague, 
Senator Chafee, as a cosponsor of S. 1871, legislation to expand the 
existing boundary of the Pettaquamscutt Cove National Wildlife Refuge.
  Senator Chafee has worked hard for many years to designate this vital 
area as one of our Nation's wildlife refuges and then to assure that we 
continue necessary financial resources. I have enjoyed working with him 
in this effort and I am pleased to join in support of the expansion.
  This bill will help clear the way for Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS] 
to acquire 100 acres adjacent to long cove on the pond's northeastern 
shore. The owner, who has declared his intention to make a partial 
donation of the value of the property, has been talking to FWS for 
about a year.
  I am delighted to advise my colleagues that several additional 
landowners with valuable habitat in the vicinity of the refuge also 
have contacted FWS to express their interest in selling their property 
so it may be maintained as open space.
  Recent biological surveys of upper Point Judith Pond indicate that 
wildlife species have become more diverse and are using the pond 
habitat more heavily than in the past. The bill would allow the FWS to 
expand the refuge boundary when opportunities to acquire valuable 
habitat arise.
  Specifically, the bill would authorize the Secretary of the Interior 
to expand the refuge boundary, after appropriate public notice and 
comment, and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The 
Secretary currently is only authorized to make minor revisions to the 
boundary.
  The Pettaquamscutt National Wildlife Refuge truly is one of our 
national treasures in Rhode Island and it protects a vital ecosystem 
that includes rare and endangered species among its wildlife.

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