[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 60 (Friday, May 4, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S4400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LEVIN (for himself and Ms. Stabenow):
  S. 835. A bill to establish the Detroit River International Wildlife 
Refuge in the State of Michigan, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am pleased today to introduce the Detroit 
River International Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act. The Detroit 
River is one of North America's greatest rivers and is a part of our 
Michigan heritage. It not only joins the Upper Great Lakes to the Lower 
Great Lakes, but it also connects Canadians and Americans through an 
inseparable border. This great resource is one that we must work hard 
to protect so that generations to come can benefit from its economic, 
recreational and ecological value.
  The Detroit River provides a home to communities of unique plants and 
animals and rare, threatened and endangered species. The Michigan 
Department of Natural Resources and Ontario Ministry of Natural 
Resources recognize the Detroit River as having one of the highest 
diversities of wildlife and fish in all of the Great Lakes. More than 
29 species of waterfowl and 65 kinds of fish make their home in the 
Detroit River. The river is an important waterfowl migration corridor 
where an estimated three million ducks, geese, swans, and coots migrate 
annually. The Detroit Audubon Society has documented over 300 species 
of birds in the Detroit-Windsor area, and approximately 150 bird 
species nest near the river.
  The Detroit River also provides shipping channels which link Detroit 
to a worldwide economy. Further, approximately half of the over 870,000 
pleasure boats registered in Michigan are used on the Detroit River and 
Lake St. Clair, in part to fish for the estimated 10 million walleye 
that ascend the Detroit River each spring from Lake Erie to spawn. 
These walleye have helped create an internationally renowned sport 
fishery.
  In 1998, the Detroit River was designated an American Heritage River 
which will assist the community in a revitalization effort to celebrate 
the river's history and heritage. Further, it is anticipated that the 
Detroit River will receive a Canadian Heritage River designation this 
year, making it the first international heritage river system in North 
America.
  This is a river that we need to protect. Fish and wildlife habitat in 
the Lower Detroit River continue to be destroyed and degraded. It has 
been estimated that over 95 percent of the historical, coastal wetlands 
along the river have been lost to development. This legislation would 
protect remaining high quality habitat before they are lost to further 
development and rehabilitate and enhance degraded ones.
  Specifically, this legislation would authorize the Secretary of 
Interior to acquire American lands adjacent to the Detroit River in 
order to protect its wildlife and habitat. It further authorizes the 
President and Secretary of Interior to negotiate with Canadian 
officials to create a Detroit River International Wildlife Corridor in 
the lands adjacent to the River, including both American and Canadian 
lands. The legislation authorizes the Secretary to procure land from 
willing sellers or donors, islands and other natural features along the 
Detroit River, running some 18 miles from Mud Island to Pt. Mouillee. 
The legislation would also authorize the Secretary to negotiate 
cooperative management agreements with landowners living along the 
Detroit River.
  The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act 
will provide the protections necessary to save and preserve this 
priceless treasure for generations to come.

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