[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 92 (Monday, July 17, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7072-S7074]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire (for himself, Mr. Baucus, Mr. 
        Crapo, Mr, Warner, Mr. Graham, Mr. L. Chafee, Mr. Lieberman, 
        Mr. Reid, Mr. Lautenberg, and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 2878: A bill to commemorate the centennial of the establishment of 
the first national wildlife refuge in the United States on March 14, 
1903, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environmental and 
Public Works.


  national wildlife refuge system centennial commemoration act of 2000

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. President, I am proud to come before 
the Senate today to introduce the ``National Wildlife Refuge System 
Centennial Commemoration Act of 2000''. This landmark bill commemorates 
the centennial of the first national wildlife refuge in the United 
States, established on March 14, 1903, by a great man and 
conservationist, President Theodore Roosevelt. By setting aside land at 
Indian River Lagoon on Pelican Island, Florida as a haven for birds, 
President Roosevelt began a conservation legacy known as the National 
Wildlife Refuge System.
  Today, the National Wildlife Refuge System has evolved into the most 
comprehensive system of lands devoted to wildlife protection and 
management in the world--spanning nearly 93 million acres across the 
United States and its territories. By placing special emphasis on 
conservation, our nation's network of refuges ensures the continued 
protection of our wildlife resources, including threatened and 
endangered species, and land areas with significant wildlife-oriented 
recreational, historical and cultural value.
  Currently, there are more than 500 refuges in the United States and 
its territories, providing important habitat for 700 bird species, 220 
mammal species, 250 species of amphibians and reptiles, and over 200 
fish species. The Refuge System also hosts some of our country's 
premiere fisheries, and serves a vital role in the protection of 
threatened and endangered species by preserving their critical 
habitats.
  Approximately 98 percent of the Refuge System land is open to the 
public. Each year, the System attracts more than 34 million visitors to 
participate in a variety of recreational activities that include 
observing and photographing wildlife, fishing, hunting and taking part 
in system-sponsored educational programs. By providing the public with 
an opportunity to participate in these activities, refuges promote a 
sense of appreciation for the natural wonders of this nation and 
emphasize our important role as stewards of these lands.
  The bill that I introduce today marks a milestone in the history of 
conservation and celebrates 100-years of the National Wildlife Refuge 
System on March 14, 2003. The bill commemorates the Refuge System by 
creating a Commission that will oversee the Centennial anniversary and 
promote public awareness and understanding of the importance of refuges 
to our nation. Additionally, the bill directs the Fish and Wildlife 
Service to prepare a long-term plan for the Refuge System that will 
enable the Service to look ahead and determine the future needs and 
priorities of the system network.
  This bill celebrates the legacy of our national refuge lands, and 
recognizes the tireless efforts of numerous dedicated individuals from 
both the private and public sectors who have worked to preserve this 
invaluable national heritage. I encourage my colleagues to show your 
support for the National Wildlife Refuge System by co-sponsoring this 
legislation. I ask unanimous consent to print the text of the bill in 
the appropriate place in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 2878

       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 Centennial Commemoration Act of 2000''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) President Theodore Roosevelt began an American wildlife 
     conservation legacy by establishing the first national 
     wildlife refuge at Indian River Lagoon on Pelican Island, 
     Florida, on March 14, 1903;
       (2) the National Wildlife Refuge System is comprised of 
     more than 93,000,000 acres of Federal land managed by the 
     United States Fish and Wildlife Service in more than 520 
     individual refuges and thousands of Waterfowl Production 
     Areas located in all 50 States and the territories of the 
     United States;
       (3) the System is the only network of Federal land that--
       (A) is dedicated singularly to wildlife conservation; and
       (B) has wildlife-dependent recreation and environmental 
     education as priority public uses;
       (4) the System serves a vital role in the conservation of 
     millions of migratory birds, hundreds of endangered and 
     threatened species, some of the premier fisheries of the 
     United States, marine mammals, and the habitats on which 
     those species depend;
       (5)(A) each year the System provides millions of Americans 
     with opportunities to participate in wildlife-dependent 
     recreation, including hunting, fishing, and wildlife 
     observation; and
       (B) through those activities, Americans develop an 
     appreciation for the natural wonders and wildlife heritage of 
     the United States;
       (6) the occasion of the centennial of the beginning of the 
     System, in 2003, presents a historic opportunity to enhance 
     natural resource stewardship and expand compatible public 
     enjoyment of the national wildlife refuges of the United 
     States; and
       (7) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service--

[[Page S7073]]

       (A) recognizes that the System has a backlog of unmet 
     critical operations and maintenance needs;
       (B) has worked to prioritize those needs; and
       (C) has made efforts to control the extent of the backlog.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the National 
     Wildlife Refuge System Centennial Commission established by 
     section 4.
       (2) System.--The term ``System'' means the National 
     Wildlife Refuge System established by the National Wildlife 
     Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 
     seq.).

     SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be 
     known as the ``National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial 
     Commission''.
       (b) Membership.--The Commission shall be composed of the 
     following members:
       (1) The Secretary of the Interior.
       (2) The Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service.
       (3) The Executive Director of the National Fish and 
     Wildlife Foundation established by the National Fish and 
     Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3701 et 
     seq.).
       (4) Up to 10 individuals, recommended by the Secretary of 
     the Interior and appointed by the President, who--
       (A) are not officers or employees of the Federal 
     Government; and
       (B) shall be broadly representative of the diverse 
     beneficiaries of the System and have outstanding knowledge or 
     appreciation of wildlife, fisheries, natural resource 
     management, or wildlife-dependent recreation.
       (5) The Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on 
     Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Chairman 
     and Ranking Member of the Committee on Resources of the House 
     of Representatives, who shall be nonvoting members.
       (c) Term; Vacancies.--
       (1) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life of the 
     Commission.
       (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission--
       (A) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
       (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment was made.
       (d) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
     on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, 
     the Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the 
     Commission.
       (e) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairperson.
       (f) Chairperson.--The Secretary of the Interior shall serve 
     as Chairperson of the Commission.

     SEC. 5. DUTIES.

       (a) In General.--The Commission shall--
       (1) develop and carry out, in cooperation with Federal, 
     State, local, and nongovernmental entities (including public 
     and private associations and educational institutions), a 
     plan to commemorate, on March 14, 2003, the centennial of the 
     beginning of the System;
       (2) provide, in cooperation with the entities, host 
     services for conferences on the System and assist in the 
     activities of the conferences; 
       (3) make recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior 
     concerning the long-term plan for the System required under 
     section 9; and
       (4) make recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior 
     concerning measures that can be taken to enhance natural 
     resources stewardship and expand compatible public enjoyment 
     of the System.
       (b) Reports to Congress.--
       (1) Annual reports.--Not later than December 31 of the 
     first calendar year that begins after the date on which the 
     Commission holds its initial meeting, and December 31 of each 
     calendar year thereafter through 2003, the Commission shall 
     submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
     the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the activities and plans of the 
     Commission.
       (2) Final report.--Not later than December 31, 2004, the 
     Commission shall submit to the Committee on Environment and 
     Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of 
     the House of Representatives a final report on the activities 
     of the Commission, including an accounting of all funds 
     received and expended by the Commission.

     SEC. 6. POWERS.

       (a) Meetings.--The Commission may hold such meetings, sit 
     and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
     receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable 
     to carry out this Act.
       (b) Information From Federal Agencies.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission may secure directly from a 
     Federal agency such information as the Commission considers 
     necessary to carry out this Act.
       (2) Provision of information.--On request of the 
     Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the agency shall 
     provide the information to the Commission.
       (c) Financial and Administrative Services.--Subject to 
     subsection (e)(2), the Secretary of the Interior, acting 
     through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service, shall provide to the Commission financial and 
     administrative services (including services relating to 
     budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, personnel, and 
     procurement).
       (d) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United 
     States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions 
     as other agencies of the Federal Government.
       (e) Gifts.--
       (1) Acceptance.--The Commission may accept, use, and 
     dispose of gifts or donations of services or property to 
     carry out this Act.
       (2) Administration of funds.--The National Fish and 
     Wildlife Foundation shall administer, on behalf of the 
     Commission, any gifts of funds received under paragraph (1) 
     in accordance with the rules and procedures of the 
     Foundation.
       (f) Applicable Law.--Federal laws (including regulations) 
     governing procurement by Federal agencies shall not apply to 
     the Commission, except for laws (including regulations) 
     concerning working conditions, wage rates, and civil rights.

     SEC. 7. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.

       (a) Compensation of Members.--A member of the Commission 
     shall serve without compensation for the services of the 
     member to the Commission.
       (b) Staff.--
       (1) Executive director.--The Chief of the National Wildlife 
     Refuge System of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     shall serve as the Executive Director of the Commission.
       (2) Other personnel.--The Chairperson of the Commission 
     may, without regard to the civil service laws (including 
     regulations), appoint and terminate such personnel as are 
     necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties of 
     the Commission.
       (3) Compensation.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     the Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of 
     the personnel appointed under paragraph (2) without regard to 
     the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 
     of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of 
     positions and General Schedule pay rates.
       (B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the personnel 
     appointed under paragraph (2) shall not exceed the rate 
     payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5316 of title 5, United States Code.
       (c) Travel Expenses.--Each member, the Executive Director, 
     and other personnel of the Commission shall be allowed travel 
     expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates 
     authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of 
     chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from 
     the home or regular place of business of the individual in 
     the performance of the duties of the Commission.

     SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

       (a) Date.--The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the 
     date on which the Commission submits the report of the 
     Commission under section 5(b)(2).
       (b) Disposition of Commission Property.--
       (1) Memorabilia.--On termination of the Commission and 
     after consultation with the Archivist of the United States 
     and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the 
     Executive Director may--
       (A) deposit all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed 
     matter, memorabilia, relics, and other similar materials of 
     the Commission relating to the centennial of the beginning of 
     the System in a Federal, State, or local library or museum; 
     or
       (B) make other disposition of such materials.
       (2) Other property.--The Executive Director may--
       (A) use property that is acquired by the Commission and 
     remains on termination of the Commission (other than property 
     described in paragraph (1)) for the purposes of the System; 
     or
       (B) dispose of such property as excess or surplus property.

     SEC. 9. LONG-TERM PLAN FOR SYSTEM.

       After taking into consideration the recommendations of the 
     Commission under section 5(a)(3), the Secretary of the 
     Interior shall develop a long-term plan for the System to 
     address--
       (1) the priority staffing and operational needs as 
     determined through--
       (A) the refuge operating needs system; and
       (B) comprehensive conservation plans for refuges required 
     under section 4(e) of the National Wildlife Refuge System 
     Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(e));
       (2) the priority maintenance and construction needs as 
     identified in the maintenance management system, the 5-year 
     deferred maintenance list, and the 5-year construction list, 
     developed by the Secretary of the Interior; and
       (3) any transition costs as identified by the Secretary of 
     the Interior in conducting analyses of newly acquired refuge 
     lands.

     SEC. 10. DESIGNATION OF YEAR OF THE WILDLIFE REFUGE.

       (a) In General.--Congress designates 2003 as the ``Year of 
     the Wildlife Refuge''.
       (b) Proclamation.--Congress requests the President to issue 
     a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to 
     celebrate the Year of the Wildlife Refuge with appropriate 
     ceremonies and programs.

     SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the 
     activities of the Commission under this Act--
       (1) $100,000 for fiscal year 2001; and
       (2) $250,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004.

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I am pleased to join Chairman Smith and

[[Page S7074]]

others to introduce the ``National Wildlife Refuge System Centennial 
Commemoration Act of 2000.''
  First established by that great conservation leader, President 
Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has 
grown today to be the premier system of reserves for the conservation 
of wildlife habitat and biological diversity in the world.
  There are more than 500 refuges today, supporting over 1500 
vertebrate species and thousands of species of plants. Open to the 
public, these refuges are the focal point of thousands of visitors each 
year that participate in wildlife viewing, photography, hunting, 
fishing or biking. They are places where families go to introduce 
youngsters to nature and to teach them the meaning of stewardship.
  In some cases, refuges provide the last habitats for endangered 
species. In all cases, the nearly 93 million acres in the National 
Wildlife Refuge system provide special places for wildlife, fish, 
plants and people. These lands provide a buffer against ever-increasing 
development and are reserved for future generations to enjoy and learn 
from.
  In Montana, we have seven National Wildlife Refuges including the 
2,800 acre Lee Metcalf Refuge, the 15,500 acre Bowdoin National 
Wildlife Refuge in the Central Flyway, and the National Bison Range, 
originally set aside to protect the last of the great bison herds.
  Mr. President, the bill that we are introducing today will celebrate 
the last 100 years of the National Wildlife Refuge System on Mary 14, 
2003. In addition, the bill establishes a commission to look ahead and 
plan for the future, including a review of the backlog of maintenance 
needs at our refuges. It is my hope that this bill will increase public 
awareness and understanding of these national treasures.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
                                 ______