[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H9928-H9931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP ACT 
                                OF 1997

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1856) to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to direct 
the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a volunteer pilot project at 
one national wildlife refuge in each United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service region, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1856

       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 ``National Wildlife Refuge 
     System Volunteer and Community Partnership Act of 1997''.

[[Page H9929]]

     SEC. 2. VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR WILDLIFE.

       (a) Promotion of Volunteers at National Wildlife Refuges.--
     Section 7(b)(2) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 
     U.S.C. 742f(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following: ``Any gift or bequest made for the benefit of a 
     particular national wildlife refuge or complex of refuges 
     shall be disbursed only for the benefit of that refuge or 
     complex of refuges.''.
       (b) Awards and Recognition for Volunteers.--Section 7(c)(2) 
     of that Act (16 U.S.C. 742f(c)(2)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``awards and recognition,'' after 
     ``lodging,''; and
       (2) by inserting ``without regard to their place of 
     residence'' after ``volunteers''.
       (c)  Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement.--
     Section 7 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 742) is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(d) Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement.--(1) 
     The purposes of this subsection are the following:
       ``(A) To encourage the use of volunteers in the National 
     Wildlife Refuge System.
       ``(B) To facilitate partnerships between the National 
     Wildlife Refuge System and partner organizations.
       ``(C) To promote participation by individuals, 
     organizations, and communities in understanding and 
     conserving the fish and wildlife resources, lands, and 
     facilities of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
       ``(D) To enhance the availability of interpretive and 
     educational materials and services for the enjoyment of 
     visitors to national wildlife refuges.
       ``(2) Subject to the availability of appropriations, the 
     Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a pilot project at 1 
     national wildlife refuge in each United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service region, under which the Secretary shall 
     employ a full-time volunteer coordinator for each refuge.
       ``(3)(A) Subject to the compatibility requirements of the 
     National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 
     and this paragraph, the Secretary of the Interior may enter 
     into a cooperative agreement (as that term is used in chapter 
     63 of title 31, United States Code) with any partner 
     organization, academic institution, or State or local 
     government organization, for the conduct of a project on a 
     national wildlife refuge, under which--
       ``(i) there will be provided enhanced opportunities for 
     private citizens to volunteer with a national wildlife refuge 
     in their local communities and contribute to stewardship of 
     the resources on that refuge;
       ``(ii) a partner organization, academic institution, or 
     State or local government organization will develop, produce, 
     publish, distribute, or sell educational materials and 
     products pertaining to a national wildlife refuge approved by 
     the Secretary, under conditions specified by the Secretary;
       ``(iii) a partner organization, academic institution, or 
     State or local government organization will construct, 
     maintain, operate, or improve a facility on a national 
     wildlife refuge necessary for the sale or distribution of 
     educational materials, products, pro- grams, and services 
     pertaining to national wildlife refuges;
       ``(iv) a partner organization, academic institution, or 
     State or local government organization will provide visitor 
     services, facilities, or activities within a national 
     wildlife refuge, under terms that require that the net 
     profits from such services, facilities, or activities shall 
     be used exclusively for projects and programs that benefit 
     the refuge and are consistent with the purposes for which it 
     was established; or
       ``(v) there will be carried out within a national wildlife 
     refuge, on a Federal/non-Federal cost sharing basis, habitat 
     restoration and improvement, biological monitoring, research, 
     public education and recreation, construction of facilities, 
     or other projects.
       ``(B) Any Federal funds used to fund a project under a 
     cooperative agreement under this paragraph--
       ``(i) may be used only for expenses directly related to the 
     project; and
       ``(ii) may not be used for operation or administration of 
     any non-Federal entity.
       ``(C) A partner organization, academic institution, or 
     State or local government organization shall not receive 
     preferential treatment in any application process to provide 
     visitor services, products, or facilities in a national 
     wildlife refuge.
       ``(D) Any facility or permanent improvement constructed 
     pursuant to this subsection shall be the property of the 
     United States Government.
       ``(4)(A) Amounts received by the Secretary of the Interior 
     as a result of activities under paragraph (3) shall be 
     deposited in a separate account in the Treasury.
       ``(B) Amounts in the account referred to in subparagraph 
     (A) that are attributable to activities at a particular 
     national wildlife refuge or complex of refuges shall be 
     available to the Secretary of the Interior without further 
     appropriation--
       ``(i) for materials, training, and other uses related to 
     volunteer activities at the refuge or complex of refuges; or
       ``(ii) to carry out cooperative agreements under this 
     subsection applicable to the refuge or complex of refuges.
       ``(5) For the purposes of this subsection, the term 
     `partner organization' means an organization--
       ``(A) the mission of which is to promote understanding and 
     conservation of the fish and wildlife, cultural, or historic 
     resources of a particular national wildlife refuge or a 
     complex of related national wildlife refuges;
       ``(B) that draws its membership primarily from communities 
     near that refuge or complex of related national wildlife 
     refuges; and
       ``(C) that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 
     section 501(a) of that Code.
       ``(6) In addition to amounts available under paragraph 
     (4)(B), there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary of the Interior for each of fiscal years, 1998, 
     1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003--
       ``(A) $1,000,000 for carrying out activities under this 
     subsection and subsection (c); and
       ``(B) $1,050,000 for pilot projects under paragraph (2) 
     among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Regions.''.
       (d) Conforming Amendment.--Section 7(c)(6) of that Act (16 
     U.S.C. 742f(c)(6)) is amended by striking ``$100,000 for the 
     Secretary of the Interior and''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey [Mr. Saxton] and the gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. 
Faleomavaega] each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Saxton].
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SAXTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, as the author of H.R. 1856, I am pleased to 
present the House of Representatives the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Community Partnership Act.
  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a very successful program to 
encourage volunteer activities at the national wildlife refuge and 
other service field stations. Last year, for example, over 25,000 
volunteers donated nearly $11 million worth of services, ranging from 
staffing of visitor centers to hunter safety classes to operating heavy 
equipment. I introduced this bill after a field hearing at the Edwin B. 
Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in my district in New Jersey that 
addressed a large number of maintenance backlog issues.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge an aye vote on H.R. 1856.
  Mr. Speaker, as the author of H.R. 1856, I am pleased to present to 
the House of Representatives the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Community Partnership Act.
  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a very successful program to 
encourage volunteer activities at National Wildlife Refuges and other 
Service field stations. Last year, for example, over 25,000 volunteers 
donated nearly $11 million worth of services, ranging from staffing 
visitor centers, to hunter safety classes, to operating heavy 
equipment.
  I introduced this bill after a field hearing at the Edwin B. Forsythe 
National Wildlife Refuge in my district in New Jersey that addressed 
the large maintenance backlog at refuges. We heard from several local 
volunteer conservation groups who pointed out some problems with the 
existing volunteer program. This bill is intended to solve these 
problems.
  First of all, the biggest obstacle to improving the volunteer program 
is a shortage of staff at refuges. We can't expect refuge employees who 
have full-time operation and maintenance duties to also donate all of 
their weekends to working with volunteer groups. H.R. 1856 would 
address this problem by establishing pilot projects at seven refuges 
for the purpose of hiring full-time volunteer coordinators. This will 
make it much easier for the Service and conservation groups to work 
together for the benefit of refuges.
  Second, H.R. 1856 makes it easier for interested individuals and 
groups to donate money or services to refuges. It would ensure that 
gifts to a particular refuge will actually go to that refuge, instead 
of disappearing into a nationwide account.
  Third, the bill will allow refuge managers to enter into cooperative 
agreements with local conservation groups to conduct projects on 
refuges. Again, these provisions are designed to make it easier for 
refuge managers to cooperate with local organizations. For example, if 
a volunteer group were interested in constructing a wildlife 
observation tower or other improvement at a refuge, this section would 
allow the refuge manager to contribute materials or staff assistance to 
the project.
  All of these provisions are designed to make it easier for volunteers 
who are interested in helping to conserve fish and wildlife to 
contribute their skills and enthusiasm to our National Wildlife 
Refuges. Many of my colleagues have worked hard this year to improve 
Refuge operations and maintenance through the appropriations process, 
and to enact the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, which 
was signed into law on October 9th. However, it is the thousands of 
volunteers who directly donate their time and energy who really make 
the difference on the ground. By making it easier for them, this bill 
will enhance

[[Page H9930]]

an already successful program and ultimately benefit fish and wildlife 
conservation throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Florida [Mr. Deutsch].
  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the legislation, but 
also today, Mr. Speaker, we recognize two luminaries who ignited the 
movement to preserve one of America's greatest national treasures, the 
Florida Everglades.
  I think most Americans know that the Everglades is an ecosystem in 
serious jeopardy. Decades of well intentioned but misguided human 
intervention have pushed the Everglades to the brink of extinction. 
While the pride of the Everglades is accepted as common knowledge 
today, this was not always the case. It took years of tireless 
campaigning by a few early leaders to raise public awareness to the 
appropriate level.
  Mr. Speaker, today we consider legislation which recognizes the 
contributions of two of those early leaders who first led the charge to 
save the Everglades. The bill before us and the House companion bill, 
supported by 12 members of the Florida delegation, designates the 
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness and the Ernest Coe Visitor Center.
  Ernest Coe is widely recognized as the father of Everglades National 
Park. In 1928 he organized a tropical Everglades National Park 
Association. As a landscape architect, Mr. Coe's vision for the park 
recognized the need to protect south Florida's diverse wildlife and 
habitats for future generations. His leadership and selfless devotion 
to commitment to achieving this vision culminated in the authorization 
of Everglades National Park by Congress in 1934 and its dedication by 
President Truman in 1947. Senate 931 dedicates the park's main visitor 
center in memory of Mr. Coe to remind visitors of his devotion to the 
Everglades.
  The legislation also honors a person who is probably most identified 
with the Everglades, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. In 1947, Marjory 
Stoneman Douglas wrote a landmark book on Florida's largest wetland 
ecosystem, ``The Everglades, River of Grass.'' This pioneering work was 
the first to highlight the plight of the Everglades and ultimately 
served to weigh upon public interest in restoring its health.
  Professional journalist and author, Mrs. Douglas went on to lead many 
battles in defense of the Everglades. In l994, President Clinton 
awarded her the Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor. 
Considering her extraordinary accomplishments, it should come as no 
surprise that Mrs. Douglas is still going strong today at age 107. The 
legislation designates 1.3 million acres in Everglades National Park as 
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness. It is a fitting and permanent 
reminder by the Everglades' mightiest defender to forever treasure 
America's greatest tropical ecosystem.
  Like so many Everglades accomplishments, this legislation has an 
entire delegation. I would especially like to thank the gentleman from 
Florida's southwest coast [Mr. Goss], who has been the primary original 
cosponsor for two Congresses, and Florida's Senators, the sponsors of 
the bill before us today.
  Mr. Speaker, our timing is also appropriate because the park is 
celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. I can say with confidence 
that the park would not have made it this far without Ernest Coe and 
Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
  So as we look forward to the next 50 years, let us remember the 
contributions of those who made everything possible today. As a 
resident of south Florida in terms of both my children and my parents 
and hopefully grandchildren into the future, there are no words or no 
deeds that we can do that can thank these two people in specifics in 
terms of their work, in terms of quality of life in south Florida, so I 
urge the support of the bill today.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of H.R. 
1856. The bill was unanimously reported from the Committee on 
Resources, and the amendments before the House improves its benefits to 
wildlife even more. The bill's chief sponsor, the gentleman from New 
Jersey, and also chairman of the subcommittee, has done a yeoman 
service for wildlife in this country by introducing this legislation by 
expeditiously bringing it before the House.
  The amendment does three things. It promotes volunteer programs in 
wildlife refugees, it protects wildlife habitat by reauthorizing the 
highly successful North American Wetlands Conservation Act, and it 
improves the management of nongame species of wildlife by reauthorizing 
a program of Federal matching grants for such activities.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is about protecting wildlife habitat and 
enhancing the management of both game and nongame wildlife. We have 
long since reached a point where government cannot provide all the 
know-how and resources adequately to protect our wildlife. By 
establishing a pilot program to encourage partnerships between wildlife 
refuges and private organizations, we create a win-win situation for 
wildlife. Local citizens get an opportunity to gain firsthand 
experience with wildlife while enjoying the simple pleasure of 
volunteer service. For their part wildlife refuges get expertise from 
the local community as well as goods and services which would not 
otherwise be available to them.
  Mr. Speaker, in the 7 years of its existence, the North American 
Wetlands Act has resulted in the protection of more than 10 million 
acres of wetlands in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Two hundred 
and eight million dollars in government funds for this voluntary, 
nonregulatory program has been matched by more than $420 million in 
non-Federal funds, conserving valuable habitat for migratory birds and 
many nonmigratory species as well.
  Lastly, the amendment reauthorizes the Partnerships for Wildlife Act 
which provides matching grants for nongame wildlife conservation and 
appreciation. A permanent source of funding like we have for sport fish 
and game conservation is sorely needed for nongame species. The States 
currently estimate their unmet needs for nongame management and 
conservation at over $300 million annually.
  I hope that we have the opportunity to give permanent funding for 
nongame species serious consideration next session. In the meantime, we 
will continue doing what we can for nongame species under the 
Partnerships for Wildlife program. This legislation is sound, to 
benefit wildlife throughout through nonregulatory programs that 
leverage scarce Federal resources, and, Mr. Speaker, I also would like 
to commend the gentleman from Hawaii, the ranking member of this 
subcommittee, for his contribution to this piece of legislation.
  I urge my colleagues for their adoption and support of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida [Mr. Shaw].
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  I rise in support of S. 931, a bill which honors two south Floridian 
conservation pioneers, Ernest Coe and Marjory Stoneman Douglas. S. 931 
names the main visitor center at the Everglades National Park the 
Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and designates 1.3 million acres in the 
park as the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness.
  Ernest Coe, widely recognized as the father of the Everglades 
National Park, labored for more than 20 years with a single-minded 
determination to create a national park for the protection of the 
birds, panthers, and hundreds of other species of wildlife indigenous 
to Florida.
  Almost 70 years ago, Coe presaged the societal pressures which would 
have threatened this unique habitat and made the designation of the 
park his purpose in life. Floridians owe him a debt of gratitude, and, 
indeed, the entire Nation does.
  This bill also honors Marjory Stoneman Douglas. So much has been 
written about this woman's incredible life. Ms. Douglas has achieved 
near legendary status. At 107 years old, Ms. Douglas remains the single 
greatest

[[Page H9931]]

icon of Everglades restoration and a true south Florida treasure.

                              {time}  1630

  Although it is difficult to conceive in 1997, the Everglades before 
World War II was considered by most to be a worthless swamp and a 
hindrance to development and industry. Ms. Douglas was among the first 
to suggest that the Federal Government's construction programs to drain 
and redirect the river of grass might upset the natural cycles on which 
the whole south Florida ecosystem relies. Thanks to Ms. Douglas' 
foresight, this ecological treasure is now protected in perpetuity.
  Mr. Speaker, on the eve of the golden anniversary of the founding of 
the Everglades National Park, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Again, I want to commend the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. Abercrombie], 
who is necessarily absent this afternoon, for his comanagement of this 
piece of legislation, and I want to commend him for his service and 
contributions to making this bill possible to be brought before the 
floor for consideration.
  At this time I have no additional speakers, Mr. Speaker, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from American Samoa correctly 
points out the important role that the gentleman from Hawaii [Mr. 
Abercrombie] played in developing and getting this bill to the floor. 
So I would like to thank him myself for his support of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership Acts of 
1997.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kingston). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Utah [Mr. Hansen] that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1856, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________