[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 58 (Thursday, May 11, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E718-E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM CENTENNIAL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce today the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act. I am joined in this important 
effort by the distinguished chairman of the House Resources Committee, 
Don Young, the ranking Democratic member of the Committee, George 
Miller, the ranking Democratic subcommittee member, Eni Faleomavaega, 
the Dean of the House of Representatives, John Dingell, and our 
colleague, Duke Cunningham.
  Since becoming chairman of the House Subcommittee on Fisheries 
Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, I have held many hearings on the 
operation, maintenance, and management of our nation's National 
Wildlife refuge System. This unique system of Federal lands provides 
essential habitat for hundreds of fish and wildlife species, including 
more than 258 species listed as threatened or endangered under the 
Endangered Species Act.
  The first wildlife refuge was created at Pelican Island, FL, in 1903 
by President Theodore Roosevelt. Today the System has 521 refuges and 
38 wetland management districts, which are located in all 50 States and 
the 9 Commonwealths, Territories, and island possessions. These units 
range in size from the smallest of less than one acre, the Mille Lacs 
National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota, to the largest of 19.3 million 
acres in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Money for 
refuge land acquisition primarily comes from the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund and the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.
  During the past 5 years, my subcommittee has taken a leadership role 
in approving legislation to improve our National Wildlife Refuge 
System. Without question, the most important change was the enactment 
of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. This 
landmark Act, P.L. 105-57, was sponsored by Chairman Don Young and, for 
the first time, it created a comprehensive ``organic law'' governing 
the management of the world's largest and most diverse network of lands 
devoted to fish and wildlife. This historic measure also created a 
statutory shield to ensure that hunting and fishing and other forms of 
wildlife-dependent recreation will continue within the Refuge System, 
and it facilitates these traditional activities where compatible with 
conservation.
  The second improvement, which I was honored to sponsor, was the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership 
Enhancement Act. This legislation will improve the infrastructure of 
the Refuge System by encouraging volunteer activities. In 1999, over 
28,000 individuals volunteered more than 1.3 million hours, which was 
worth more than $11 million in services. These services included 
staffing visitors centers, conducting hunter safety classes, 
landscaping, and operating heavy equipment. My bill, which was signed 
into law on October 5, 1998, will encourage additional volunteers by 
establishing up to 20 pilot projects for the purpose of hiring full-
time volunteer coordinators. It also made it easier for interested 
individuals and groups to donate money or services to a particular 
refuge.
  Finally, during the past 4 years, a bipartisan group of Members, 
including myself, Don Young, George Miller, Eni Faleomavaega, Neil 
Abercrombie, John Dingell, and others have vigorously lobbied the House 
Appropriations Committee to increase funding to reduce the Refuge 
System's operations and maintenance backlog. Together with the 
Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement (CARE), we were successful 
in persuading our Appropriations colleagues to increase funding for 
this account by $86 million, which is a down payment on the maintenance 
backlog. While these increases were significant, there is

[[Page E719]]

much work to be done to reach the goal of having a fully operational 
Refuge System by 2003.
  The legislation I am introducing today recognizes the vital 
importance of the Refuge System and the fact that the System will 
celebrate its centennial anniversary in 3 years. Under the terms of 
this bill, a Commission will be established to promote awareness of the 
System; develop a long-term plan to meet the priority operations, 
maintenance and construction needs of the System; and to improve public 
use programs and facilities.
  The National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Commission would be 
composed of 11 voting members, including the Director of the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service. In addition, the chairman and ranking minority 
members of the House Resources and Senate Environment and Public Works 
Committees, plus the congressional members of the Migratory Bird 
Conservation Commission, would serve as ex offico members.
  The Commission would be charged with the responsibility for preparing 
a plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the System, coordinating 
activities to celebrate that event, and hosting a conference on the 
National Wildlife Refuge System. The Commission would issue annual 
reports and would terminate no later than September 30, 2004.
  Finally, this bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare 
and submit to the Congress a long-term plan to address priority 
operations, maintenance, and construction needs of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System.
  Mr. Speaker, I anticipate that my subcommittee will conduct a hearing 
on this legislation in the near future. The American people deserve the 
finest Refuge System in the world. This bill is an appropriate next 
step in our efforts to ensure that the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, 
one of our Nation's greatest conservationists, will live on in the 
years ahead.
  Ahead, I want to thank my distinguished colleagues for joining with 
me in this endeavor, and I urge enthusiastic support for the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Act.

                          ____________________