[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.
____________________