[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 167 (Wednesday, December 5, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8852-H8853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
BEAR RIVER MIGRATORY BIRD REFUGE VISITOR CENTER ACT
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3322) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to
construct an education and administrative center at the Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County, Utah.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3322
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 ``Bear River Migratory Bird
Refuge Visitor Center Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Bear River marshes have been a historical waterfowl
oasis and an important inland waterfowl flyway for thousands
of years.
(2) Congress created the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
as one of the first National Wildlife Refuges, for the
purpose of protecting waterfowl habitat and migratory birds,
educating the public regarding, and enhancing public
appreciation of, waterfowl habitat and migratory birds.
(3) The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was virtually
destroyed by the devastating floods that occurred between
1983 and 1985.
(4) Refuge employees, aided by volunteers, have taken
valiant actions to rebuild the Refuge by restoring habitat,
increasing its attractiveness to waterfowl, reducing
waterfowl botulism, and providing recreational and
educational opportunities to the public.
(5) The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge lacks a functional
education and administrative center.
(6) The creation of such a facility would significantly
enhance public appreciation of waterfowl and the need to
preserve waterfowl habitat.
(7) Congress has taken significant steps to provide funding
for the construction of an education and administrative
center.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this Act, the following definitions
apply:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(2) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County, Utah.
(3) Education and administrative center.--The term
``Education and Administrative Center'' means the facility
identified in the Environmental Assessment dated 1991 and
entitled ``Restoration and Expansion of the Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge''.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE EDUCATION
CENTER.
(a) Construction.--The Secretary shall construct the
Education and Administrative Center at the Refuge for the
purposes of providing for the interpretation of resources of
the Refuge for the education and benefit of the public, the
advancement of research, protection, and health of waterfowl
habitat, and for the administration of the Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $11,000,000 to carry out subsection (a).
SEC. 5. MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Donation of Funds and Services.--The Secretary may
accept donations of funds and services from nonprofit
organizations, State and local governments, and private
citizens for the construction of the Education and
Administrative Center.
[[Page H8853]]
(b) Matching Funds.--The Secretary may not require matching
funds or contributions in kind with a combined total value of
more than $1,500,000 for construction of the Education and
Administrative Center.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs.
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
The Bear River marshes in the northern portion of the Great Salt Lake
have been a waterfowl oasis and an important inland waterfowl flyway
for centuries, and I am pleased that the House is taking action to
improve research opportunities and educational experiences at the
refuge.
To give a little history of the Bear River marshes, in 1843, explorer
John C. Fremont described the area by saying ``The waterfowl made a
noise like thunder, as the whole scene was animated with waterfowl.''
Later, settlers moved in and began draining the marshes so slowly that
no one noticed until 1910 when botulism killed over 2 million birds and
another deadly outbreak in 1920 killed 1.5 million birds. In 1928, at
the urging of many individuals and organizations, Congress turned this
unique area into a National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge soon became a
popular attraction for various groups from sportsmen and school groups
to wildlife photographers.
Then came Utah's 100-year floods of 1983 and 1985 when there was a
man-made river running down State Street in Salt Lake City and Glen
Canyon Dam was spilling over. Those wet years also caused the rising
Great Salt Lake to breach the refuge dikes and saltwater contaminated
wildlife habitat, destroyed marsh vegetation and destroyed the newly
constructed visitors and administrative facilities.
In 1989, the water finally receded, and since that time refuge
employees and scores of volunteers have worked tirelessly cleaning
debris, moving 1 million cubic yards of earth, restoring 47 water
control structures and 47 miles of dikes, and purchasing easements to
restore the habitat to its previous condition.
{time} 1130
Mr. Speaker, thanks to their good efforts, the refuge once again
attracts hundreds of waterfowl and an increasing number of human
visitors. There are 221 species of birds that have been recorded at the
refuge, and 206 of those constantly come back each year. However, the
refuge still lacks a functional education and administrative center
which denies the public a rich educational opportunity.
I have worked with my colleagues on the Committee on Appropriations
and with the Senate Committee on Appropriations to provide funding for
the reconstruction of these facilities. Local communities, the Friends
of Bear River Bird Refuge and other nonprofit groups have demonstrated
their interest and dedication to a research and education center by
raising an additional $1.5 million for the project.
This bill recognizes the efforts of the refuge staff, the community,
and the local Friends group to rebuild the refuge. Between the prior
appropriations and the contribution from local supporters, over 80
percent of the funding has already been secured. This is a good bill.
Finally, I would like to compliment Al Trout, the refuge manager, who
has worked so diligently to put this together, a truly dedicated public
servant.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the legislation of the
distinguished gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) which would authorize
the construction of a new education and administrative center at one of
our Nation's oldest migratory bird refuges. It was unfortunate that
floods destroyed the center nearly 18 years ago. I understand the
frustration of the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that a new facility
has not been built to replace the original building.
As Members may recall, the 1997 National Wildlife Refuge Improvement
Act established environmental education and resource interpretation as
priority uses at all national wildlife refuges. Education centers like
the one planned for Bear River are essential to ensure that the Fish
and Wildlife Service promotes the wildlife wonders throughout our
national wildlife refuge system and generates public awareness and
appreciation for these resources.
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation. I look
forward to working with both the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) and
our ranking member, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), who
adds his commendation and support for the bill to improve visitor
services within our national wildlife refuges.
Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise
today in support of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Visitor Center
Act. This legislation will allow the Refuge to construct an educational
and administrative headquarters. It is my hope that bird enthusiasts
throughout the West will be able to come to see the thousands of birds
that visit the area each year and hear what explorer John C. Fremont
called ``a noise like thunder.''
The Refuge was created by Congress in 1928 to ensure the survival of
the birds and natural wetlands of the area. Unfortunately, due to
massive flooding in the 1983 to 1985, the entire Refuge was destroyed
and the wetlands completely covered with water.
Today, the Refuge consists of 74,000 acres. In 1993, land acquisition
added nearly 9,000 acres of uplands, wetlands, and mudflats. The
historic 65,000 acres of the Refuge, consisting mainly of marsh, open
water, and mudflats, have slowly seen salt deposits from the flood
flushed out. Now, the wetland is on the verge of full recovery, and
with marsh plants thriving, birds are returning in increasing numbers
to the Refuge.
I am excited to see this legislation come before the body. I strongly
believe that this bill will be beneficial to the Bear River Migratory
Bird Refuge habitat by increasing its attractiveness to birds, and to
people.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gillmor). 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. 3322.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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