[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2743-S2744]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself and Mr. Breaux):
  S. 2433. A bill to establish the Red River National Wildlife Refuge; 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


                 red river national wildlife refuge act

 Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, today I rise, along with the 
senior Senator from Louisiana, to introduce legislation which would 
establish the Red River National Wildlife Refuge. Congressman McCreary 
is introducing identical legislation in the House of Representatives. 
Mr. President, the Red River Valley located along the Red River 
Waterway in Caddo, Bossier, Red River, Natchitoches and Desoto parishes 
in Louisiana is of critical importance to over 350 species of birds, 
aquatic life and a wide array of other species associated with river 
basin ecosystems. It represents a historic migration corridor for 
migratory birds funneling through the mid-continent from as far north 
as the Arctic Circle and as far south as South America. The Red River 
Valley also represents the most degraded watershed in Louisiana. The 
bottomland hardwood forests of the Red River Valley have been almost 
totally cleared. Reforestation and restoration of native habitat will 
benefit a host of species.
  There are no significant public sanctuaries for over 300 river miles 
on this important migration corridor, and no significant Federal, State 
or private wildlife sanctuaries along the Red River north from 
Alexandria, Louisiana to the Arkansas-Louisiana state boundary. The Red 
River Valley offers extraordinary recreational, research and 
educational opportunities for students, scientists, bird watchers, 
wildlife observers, hunters, anglers, trappers, hikers and nature 
photographers.
  The bill Senator Breaux and I are introducing today would: restore 
and preserve native Red River ecosystems; provide habitat for migratory 
birds; maximize fisheries on the Red River and its tributaries, natural 
lakes and man-made reservoirs; provide habitat for and population 
management of native plants and resident animals including restoration 
of extirpated species; provide technical assistance to private land 
owners in the restoration of their lands for the benefit of fish and 
wildlife and provide the public with opportunities for hunting, 
angling, trapping, photographing wildlife, hiking, bird watching and 
other outdoor recreational and educational activities.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2433

       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 ``Red River National Wildlife 
     Refuge Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The area of Louisiana known as the Red River Valley, 
     located along the Red River Waterway in Caddo, Bossier, Red 
     River, Natchitoches, and DeSoto Parishes, is of critical 
     importance to over 350 species of birds (including migratory 
     and resident waterfowl, shore birds, and neotropical 
     migratory birds), aquatic life, and a wide array of other 
     species associated with river basin ecosystems.
       (2) The bottomland hardwood forests of the Red River Valley 
     have been almost totally cleared. Reforestation and 
     restoration of native habitat will benefit a host of species.
       (3) The Red River Valley is part of a major continental 
     migration corridor for migratory birds funneling through the 
     mid continent from as far north as the Arctic Circle and as 
     far south as South America.
       (4) There are no significant public sanctuaries for over 
     300 river miles on this important migration corridor, and no 
     significant Federal, State, or private wildlife sanctuaries 
     along the Red River north of Alexandria, Louisiana.
       (5) Completion of the lock and dam system associated with 
     the Red River Waterway project up to Shreveport, Louisiana, 
     has enhanced opportunities for management of fish and 
     wildlife.
       (6) The Red River Valley offers extraordinary recreational, 
     research, and educational opportunities for students, 
     scientists, bird watchers, wildlife observers, hunters, 
     anglers, trappers, hikers, and nature photographers.
       (7) The Red River Valley is an internationally significant 
     environmental resource that has been neglected and requires 
     active restoration and management to protect and enhance the 
     value of the region as a habitat for fish and wildlife.

     SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES OF REFUGE.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish as a 
     national wildlife refuge the lands, waters, and interests 
     therein acquired under section 5, at such time as the 
     Secretary determines that sufficient property has been 
     acquired under that section to constitute an area that can be 
     effectively managed as a national wildlife refuge for the 
     purposes set forth in subsection (b) of this section. The 
     national wildlife refuge so established shall be known as the 
     ``Red River National Wildlife Refuge''.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Refuge are the 
     following:
       (1) To restore and preserve native Red River ecosystems.
       (2) To provide habitat for migratory birds.
       (3) To maximize fisheries on the Red River and its 
     tributaries, natural lakes, and man-made reservoirs.
       (4) To provide habitat for and population management of 
     native plants and resident animals (including restoration of 
     extirpated species).
       (5) To provide technical assistance to private land owners 
     in the restoration of their lands for the benefit of fish and 
     wildlife.
       (6) To provide the public with opportunities for hunting, 
     angling, trapping, photographing wildlife, hiking, bird 
     watching, and other outdoor recreational and educational 
     activities.
       (7) To achieve the purposes under this subsection without 
     violating section 6.
       (c) Notice of Establishment.--The Secretary shall publish a 
     notice of the establishment of the Refuge--
       (1) in the Federal Register; and
       (2) in publications of local circulation in the vicinity of 
     the Refuge.

[[Page S2744]]

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF REFUGE.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer all lands, 
     waters, and interests therein acquired under section 5 in 
     accordance with--
       (1) the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 
     of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq) and the Act of September 28, 
     1962 (76 Stat. 653; 16 U.S.C. 460k et seq; commonly known as 
     the Refuge Recreation Act);
       (2) the purposes of the Refuge set forth in section 3(b); 
     and
       (3) the management plan issued under subsection (b).
       (b) Management Plan.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a 
     management plan for the Refuge.
       (2) Contents.--The management plan shall include provisions 
     that provide for the following:
       (A) Planning and design of trails and access points.
       (B) Planning of wildlife and habitat restoration, including 
     reforestation.
       (C) Permanent exhibits and facilities and regular 
     educational programs throughout the Refuge.
       (3) Public participation.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide an opportunity 
     for public participation in developing the management plan.
       (B) Local views.--The Secretary shall give special 
     consideration to views by local public and private entities 
     and individuals in developing the management plan.
       (c) Wildlife Interpretation and Education Center.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall construct, administer, 
     and maintain, at an appropriate site within the Refuge, a 
     wildlife interpretation and education center.
       (2) Purposes.--The center shall be designed and operated--
       (A) to promote environmental education; and
       (B) to provide an opportunity for the study and enjoyment 
     of wildlife in its natural habitat.

     SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS, WATERS, AND INTERESTS THEREIN.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall seek to acquire up to 
     50,000 acres of land, water, or interests therein (including 
     permanent conservation easements or servitudes) within the 
     boundaries designated under subsection (c). All lands, 
     waters, and interests acquired under this subsection shall be 
     part of the Refuge.
       (b) Method of Acquisition.--The Secretary may acquire an 
     interest in land or water for inclusion in the Refuge only by 
     donation, exchange, or purchase from a willing seller.
       (c) Designation of Boundaries.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
       (A) consult with appropriate State and local officials, 
     private conservation organizations, and other interested 
     parties (including the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
     Fisheries, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and 
     Development, the Red River Waterway Commission, and the 
     Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments), regarding the 
     designation of appropriate boundaries for the Refuge within 
     the selection area;
       (B) designate boundaries of the Refuge that are within the 
     selection area and adequate for fulfilling the purposes of 
     the Refuge set forth in section 3(b); and
       (C) prepare a detailed map entitled ``Red River National 
     Wildlife Refuge'' depicting the boundaries of the Refuge 
     designated under subparagraph (B).
       (2) Selection area.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     selection area consists of Caddo, Bossier, Red River, DeSoto, 
     and Natchitoches Parishes, Louisiana.
       (3) Availability of map; notice.--The Secretary shall--
       (A) keep the map prepared under paragraph (1) on file and 
     available for public inspection at offices of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service of the District of Columbia 
     and Louisiana; and
       (B) publish in the Federal Register a notice of that 
     availability.
       (d) Boundary Revisions.--The Secretary may make such minor 
     revisions in the boundaries designated under subsection (c) 
     as may be appropriate to achieve the purposes of the Refuge 
     under section 3(b) or to facilitate the acquisition of 
     property for the Refuge.

     SEC. 6. CONTINUED PUBLIC SERVICES.

       Nothing in this Act shall be construed as prohibiting or 
     preventing, and the Secretary shall not for purposes of the 
     Refuge prohibit or prevent--
       (1) the continuation or development of commercial or 
     recreational navigation on the Red River Waterway;
       (2) necessary construction, operation, or maintenance 
     activities associated with the Red River Waterway project;
       (3) the construction, improvement, or expansion of public 
     port or recreational facilities on the Red River Waterway; or
       (4) the construction, improvement, or replacement of 
     railroads or interstate highways within the selection area 
     (designated in section 5(c)(2)), or bridges that cross the 
     Red River.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
     such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

     SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this Act:
       (1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Red River 
     National Wildlife Refuge established under section 3.
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
                                 ______