[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 1, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H2535-H2538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OTTAWA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX EXPANSION AND DETROIT RIVER
INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE EXPANSION ACT
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 289) to expand the boundaries of the Ottawa National Wildlife
Refuge Complex and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, as
amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 289
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 ``Ottawa National Wildlife
Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River International
Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the western basin of Lake Erie, as part of the Great
Lakes ecosystem--
(A) is the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world; and
(B) is vitally important to the economic and environmental
future of the United States;
(2) over the 30-year period preceding the date of enactment
of this Act, the citizens and governmental institutions of
the United States and Canada have devoted increasing
attention and resources to the restoration of the water
quality and fisheries of the Great Lakes, including the
western basin;
(3) that increased awareness has been accompanied by a
gradual shift toward a holistic ecosystem approach that
highlights a growing recognition that shoreline areas,
commonly referred to as nearshore terrestrial ecosystems, are
an integral part of the western basin and the Great Lakes
ecosystem;
(4) the Great Lakes account for more than 90 percent of the
surface freshwater in the United States;
(5) the western basin receives approximately 90 percent of
its flow from the Detroit River and only approximately 10
percent from tributaries;
(6) the western basin is an important ecosystem that
includes a number of distinct islands, channels, rivers, and
shoals that support dense populations of fish, wildlife, and
aquatic plants;
(7) coastal wetland of Lake Erie supports the largest
diversity of plant and wildlife species in the Great Lakes;
(8) because Lake Erie is located at a more southern
latitude than other Great Lakes, the moderate climate of Lake
Erie is appropriate for many species that are not found in or
along the northern Great Lakes;
(9) more than 300 species of plants, including 37
significant species, have been identified in the aquatic and
wetland habitats of the western basin;
(10) the shallow western basin of Lake Erie, extending from
the Lower Detroit River to Sandusky Bay, is home to the
greatest concentration of marshes in Lake Erie, including--
[[Page H2536]]
(A) Mouille, Metzger, and Magee marshes;
(B) the Maumee Bay wetland complex;
(C) the wetland complexes flanking Locust Point; and
(D) the wetland in Sandusky Bay;
(11) the larger islands of the United States in western
Lake Erie have wetland in small embayments;
(12) the wetland in the western basin comprises some of the
most important waterfowl habitat in the Great Lakes;
(13) waterfowl, wading birds, shore birds, gulls and terns,
raptors, and perching birds use the wetland in the western
basin for migration, nesting, and feeding;
(14) hundreds of thousands of diving ducks stop to rest in
the Lake Erie area during autumn migration from Canada to
points east and south;
(15) the wetland of the western basin provides a major
stopover for ducks, such as migrating bufflehead, common
goldeneye, common mergansers, and ruddy duck;
(16) the international importance of Lake Erie is indicated
in the United States by congressional designation of the
Ottawa and Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuges;
(17)(A) Lake Erie has an international reputation for
walleye, perch, and bass fishing, recreational boating,
birding, photography, and duck hunting; and
(B) on an economic basis, tourism in the Lake Erie area
accounts for an estimated $1,500,000,000 in retail sales and
more than 50,000 jobs;
(18)(A) many of the 417,000 boats that are registered in
the State of Ohio are used in the western basin, in part to
fish for the estimated 10,000,000 walleye that migrate from
the lake to spawn; and
(B) that internationally renowned walleye fishery drives
much of the $2,000,000,000 sport fishing industry in the
State of Ohio;
(19) coastal wetland in the western basin has been
subjected to intense pressure for 150 years;
(20) prior to 1850, the western basin was part of an
extensive coastal marsh and swamp system consisting of
approximately 122,000 hectares that comprised a portion of
the Great Black Swamp;
(21) by 1951, only 12,407 wetland hectares remained in the
western basin;
(22) 50 percent of that acreage was destroyed between 1972
and 1987, leaving only approximately 5,000 hectares in
existence today;
(23) along the Michigan shoreline, coastal wetland was
reduced by 62 percent between 1916 and the early 1970s;
(24) the development of the city of Monroe, Michigan, has
had a particularly significant impact on the coastal wetland
at the mouth of the Raisin River;
(25) only approximately 100 hectares remain physically
unaltered today in an area in which, 70 years ago, marshes
were 10 times more extensive;
(26) in addition to the actual loss of coastal wetland
acreage along the shores of Lake Erie, the quality of much
remaining dike wetland has been degraded by numerous
stressors, especially excessive loadings of sediments and
nutrients, contaminants, shoreline modification, exotic
species, and the diking of wetland; and
(27) protective peninsula beach systems, such as the former
Bay Point and Woodtick, at the border of Ohio and Michigan
near the mouth of the Ottawa River and Maumee Bay, have been
eroded over the years, exacerbating erosion along the
shorelines and negatively affecting breeding and spawning
grounds.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) International refuge.--The term ``International
Refuge'' means the Detroit River International Wildlife
Refuge established by section 5(a) of the Detroit River
International Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act (16 U.S.C.
668dd note; 115 Stat. 894).
(2) Refuge complex.--The term ``Refuge Complex'' means the
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Complex and the lands and
waters in the complex, as described in the document entitled
``The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Ottawa National
Wildlife Refuge Complex'' and dated September 22, 2000,
including--
(A) the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, established by the
Secretary in accordance with the Migratory Bird Conservation
Act (16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.);
(B) the West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge
established by Executive Order No. 7937, dated August 2,
1937; and
(C) the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge established by
the Secretary in accordance with the Migratory Bird
Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) Western basin.--
(A) In general.--The term ``western basin'' means the
western basin of Lake Erie, consisting of the land and water
in the watersheds of Lake Erie extending from the watershed
of the Lower Detroit River in the State of Michigan to and
including Sandusky Bay and the watershed of Sandusky Bay in
the State of Ohio.
(B) Inclusion.--The term `western basin' includes the Bass
Island archipelago in the State of Ohio.
SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF BOUNDARIES.
(a) Refuge Complex Boundaries.--
(1) Expansion.--The boundaries of the Refuge Complex are
expanded to include land and water in the State of Ohio from
the eastern boundary of Maumee Bay State Park to the eastern
boundary of the Darby Unit (including the Bass Island
archipelago), as depicted on the map entitled ``Ottawa
National Wildlife Refuge Complex Expansion and Detroit River
International Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act'' and dated
September 6, 2002.
(2) Availability of map.--The map referred to in paragraph
(1) shall be available for inspection in appropriate offices
of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) Boundary Revisions.--The Secretary may make such
revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge Complex as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate to facilitate the
acquisition of property within the Refuge Complex.
(c) Acquisition.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary
may acquire by donation, purchase with donated or
appropriated funds, or exchange the land and water, and
interests in land and water (including conservation
easements), within the boundaries of the Refuge Complex.
(2) Manner of Acquisition.--Any and all acquisitions of
land or waters under the provisions of this Act shall be made
in a voluntary manner and shall not be the result of forced
takings.
(d) Transfers From Other Agencies.--Administrative
jurisdiction over any Federal property that is located within
the boundaries of the Refuge Complex and under the
administrative jurisdiction of an agency of the United States
other than the Department of the Interior may, with the
concurrence of the head of the administering agency, be
transferred without consideration to the Secretary for the
purpose of this Act.
(e) Study of Associated Area.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Director
of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, shall conduct
a study of fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and
terrestrial communities in and around the 2 dredge spoil
disposal sites that are--
(A) referred to by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority
as ``Port Authority Facility Number Three'' and ``Grassy
Island'', respectively; and
(B) located within Toledo Harbor near the mouth of the
Maumee River.
(2) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of the Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) complete the study under paragraph (1); and
(B) submit to Congress a report on the results of the
study.
SEC. 5. EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL REFUGE BOUNDARIES.
The southern boundary of the International Refuge is
extended south to include additional land and water in the
State of Michigan located east of Interstate Route 75,
extending from the southern boundary of Sterling State Park
to the Ohio State boundary, as depicted on the map referred
to in section 4(a)(1).
SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Refuge Complex.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall administer all
federally owned land, water, and interests in land and water
that are located within the boundaries of the Refuge Complex
in accordance with--
(A) the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.); and
(B) this Act.
(2) Additional authority.--The Secretary may use such
additional statutory authority available to the Secretary for
the conservation of fish and wildlife, and the provision of
opportunities for fish- and wildlife-dependent recreation, as
the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out this
Act.
(b) Additional Purposes.--In addition to the purposes of
the Refuge Complex under other laws, regulations, executive
orders, and comprehensive conservation plans, the Refuge
Complex shall be managed--
(1) to strengthen and complement existing resource
management, conservation, and education programs and
activities at the Refuge Complex in a manner consistent with
the primary purposes of the Refuge Complex--
(A) to provide major resting, feeding, and wintering
habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife; and
(B) to enhance national resource conservation and
management in the western basin;
(2) in partnership with nongovernmental and private
organizations and private individuals dedicated to habitat
enhancement, to conserve, enhance, and restore the native
aquatic and terrestrial community characteristics of the
western basin (including associated fish, wildlife, and plant
species);
(3) to facilitate partnerships among the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, Canadian national and provincial
authorities, State and local governments, local communities
in the United States and Canada, conservation organizations,
and other non-Federal entities to promote public awareness of
the resources of the western basin; and
(4) to advance the collective goals and priorities that--
(A) were established in the report entitled ``Great Lakes
Strategy 2002--A Plan for the New Millennium'', developed by
the United States Policy Committee, comprised of Federal
agencies (including the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
the United States Geological Survey, the Forest Service, and
the Great Lakes Fishery Commission) and State governments and
tribal governments in the Great Lakes basin; and
[[Page H2537]]
(B) include the goals of cooperating to protect and restore
the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Great
Lakes basin ecosystem.
(c) Priority Uses.--In providing opportunities for
compatible fish- and wildlife-dependent recreation, the
Secretary, in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of
section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure
that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental education and interpretation are the
priority public uses of the Refuge Complex.
(d) Cooperative Agreements Regarding Non-Federal Land.--To
promote public awareness of the resources of the western
basin and encourage public participation in the conservation
of those resources, the Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements with the State of Ohio or Michigan, any political
subdivision of the State, or any person for the management,
in a manner consistent with this Act, of land that--
(1) is owned by the State, political subdivision, or
person; and
(2) is located within the boundaries of the Refuge Complex.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
necessary--
(1) to acquire land and water within the Refuge Complex
under section 4(c);
(2) to carry out the study under section 4(e); and
(3) to develop, operate, and maintain the Refuge Complex.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 289, introduced by the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) and the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), would expand the boundaries of
two refuges in Ohio and Michigan. This measure has been thoroughly
reviewed; and it has been endorsed by the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources, the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, the local port authorities,
and Ducks Unlimited. Once enacted, this expansion should help to
conserve wintering habitat for migratory birds, enhance the natural
resources of Lake Erie, and ensure that thousands of sportsmen will
have an opportunity to enjoy wildlife-dependent recreation, including
fishing, hunting, trapping and wildlife observation. All land acquired
by the Federal Government must be obtained in a voluntary manner and
absolutely no private property can be added to either refuge as a
result of a forced taking.
I urge an ``aye'' vote on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Ms. BORDALLO asked and was given permission to revise and extend her
remarks.)
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, as noted by the previous speaker, the
overall purpose of this legislation is to authorize the expansion of
the existing Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge complex in Ohio and to
extend the southern boundary of the Detroit River International
Wildlife Refuge in Michigan. The overarching goal is to protect and,
where possible, to enhance the remaining wetlands and other aquatic
habitats within the western basin of Lake Erie. This region provides
critical migratory waterfowl habitat and supports the most significant
recreational fishery in the entire Great Lakes.
I commend the bill's sponsors, the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur)
and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell), for their ingenuity in
developing a long-term conservation strategy to protect this regional
treasure. They have worked tirelessly to adjust the acquisition
boundaries set forth by this legislation so that they meet the
priorities of the other body, the States of Ohio and Michigan, and the
interests of local stakeholders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has
expressed some concern regarding the scope of the proposed boundaries
and about possible impingement on existing management activities.
However, considering that the service has proposed its own 5,000-acre
expansion of the Ottawa Refuge and also, Mr. Speaker, recognizing that
any future acquisition at either refuge will be done on a voluntary
basis, H.R. 289 will ensure that future expansion is undertaken to
enhance existing refuge resources, to complement operations, and to
protect critical habitat areas.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, the fish and wildlife resources found in the
western basin of Lake Erie are cherished by millions of sportsmen and
women. H.R. 289 is innovative legislation necessary to protect this
heritage, and it deserves our support.
Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield such time as she may consume
to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member on the
agriculture appropriations subcommittee who has worked so diligently on
this legislation on behalf of her district and the entire Lake Erie
region.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms.
Bordallo) and the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) for allocating
time so that I might speak on behalf of H.R. 289, which would expand
the boundaries, as they have said, of two national wildlife refuges
along the north coast, the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Ohio and
the Lower Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Michigan.
Obviously, we are one of the few American flyways that remain.
The bill that is before us today is identical to a measure that
passed by unanimous consent here on the House floor late in the 107th
Congress. But because of inaction by the other body it was unable to be
sent to the President for signature. I would like to thank the
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest) and the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone), chairman and ranking member of the Fisheries
Subcommittee, for their assistance, and also chairman and ranking
member of the Committee on Resources, the gentleman from California
(Mr. Pombo) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall), for
their efforts as well. We deeply appreciate the support they have given
on a bipartisan basis throughout.
This bill is modeled on the legislation of the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Dingell) to create the Lower Detroit River International
Wildlife Refuge. Obviously, our region is right next to Canada, and it
builds on the remarkable success of that effort. Let me emphasize that
this bill facilitates only voluntary actions. Voluntary cooperation is
the byword. Our bill explicitly prohibits any forced takings. It does
not force any private landowner or the Federal Government to do
anything that both parties are not willing to do. What it does do is
create a mechanism and a boundary, again drawing upon the success of
the Lower Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, to foster
cooperation and teamwork to promote conservation and the national
wildlife refuge system.
The bill facilitates a process by which our U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service can either purchase land or accept donations of land and
conservation easements from willing parties, corporations, nonprofit
organizations and individuals. That is well under way in the lower
Detroit as I speak. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the Ottawa National Wildlife
Refuge, which is a part of this, was created in 1961 originally when
local conservation and hunting clubs donated pristine Lake Erie
marshland to the Federal Government and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. The bill enjoys broad and deep support in northern Ohio along
the north coast from conservation groups, wildlife groups, and as the
gentleman from Arizona mentioned Ducks Unlimited, and local
governments. It is supported by the State of Ohio and the Ohio
Department of Natural Resources.
Mr. Speaker, this year we are celebrating as a Nation the 100th
anniversary of the national wildlife refuge system that was created by
the vision of President Theodore Roosevelt. During this centennial
year, obviously the north coast is very grateful to be included. H.R.
289 will help us raise the profile of the Ottawa National Wildlife
Refuge, the Lake Erie marshlands and also the Lake Erie islands so that
more Americans and people from throughout the world can enjoy their
natural splendor.
The refuge now attracts over 130,000 visitors a year, hunters,
fishermen, photographers, birders, hikers, artists and schoolchildren.
We expect that number to increase dramatically. I might say as a result
of our recognition of our dependence on our natural system, when we
first began work in this region of our country, we had but
[[Page H2538]]
two or three nesting pairs of eagles that were left in our region of
the country. That is now up over 84 nesting pairs of eagles. We expect
those numbers to increase in ensuing years as well.
We see the natural wonders of the Lake Erie marshlands as an economic
boon to our north coast region through ecotourism, which is expanding.
We want families to enjoy the roller coasters at Cedar Point in
Sandusky and then drive a few miles west to see the bald eagles at the
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge. We want tourists to enjoy some of the
greatest fishing on Earth. I would like to say that I represent the
bathtub of the Great Lakes. We have more fish and more swimmers than
any other part of the region, or anyplace in the world, in the central
and western basins of Lake Erie and also some of the greatest bird
watching in the world as well.
H.R. 289 will help us build on this momentum, not only for Ottawa but
also for the Lower Detroit International Wildlife Refuge. I want to
personally express my deep gratitude to the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Dingell), seniority number one here in the House, for his
leadership for our entire region.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the Members to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 289.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 289.
This proposal has been the subject of two congressional hearings. We
have heard from a diverse group of witnesses testifying in strong
support of expanding the boundaries of these two existing refuges. One
of those witnesses is the director of the Ohio Department of Natural
Resources. In his statement, Mr. Samuel Speck noted that this measure
will ``ensure an abundance of ecological and conservation improvements
that will truly benefit this ``Great Lake'' and the millions of
Americans who benefit from it''.
The fundamental goal of H.R. 289 is to conserve the wetland resources
of the western basin of Lake Erie. This shallow body of water is,
according to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 11th largest fresh water
lake in the world and it has the most productive fishing habitat in all
of the Great Lakes.
While sadly more than 98 percent of the original wetlands in
Northwest Ohio have been lost, the remaining 12,500 acres provide
irreplaceable habitat for 325 species of birds, 300 species of plants
and 43 fish species. In fact, the western basin is used by 70 percent
of the black ducks that migrate in the Mississippi flyway and it
provides nesting habit for 79 breeding pairs of bald eagles.
The remaining wetlands should be protected and the most effective way
to accomplish that goal is to include available habitat within the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
Furthermore, it is my hope that by expanding these refuges, all
interested parties will work together to devise a comprehensive
strategy to protect and restore the physical and biological integrity
of the Lake Erie western basin ecosystem.
I urge an ``aye'' vote and I compliment my colleagues Marcy Kaptur
and John Dingell for proposing this innovative legislation.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 289, legislation
that I co-authored with the distinguished gentlewoman from Toledo, Ms.
Kaptur. This important fish and wildlife conservation measure will
expand the boundaries of the Detroit River International Wildlife
Refuge to encompass important lands in Southeastern Michigan and
Northern Ohio. It is of immense importance to the people of Southeast
Michigan and our neighbors to the South in Ohio.
I would like to thank Chairman Gilchrest and Ranking Member Pallone
for their leadership and their assistance. I would also like to thank
the Chairman of the full Committee, Richard Pombo, and Ranking Member
Nick Rahall, for their assistance is shepherding this bill to the
floor. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Mr. Speaker, in 2001, thanks to the leadership of the Resources
Committee and the support from local grassroots organizations,
conservation groups, state and local governments, as well as our
Canadian neighbors, we were able to create the Detroit River
International Wildlife Refuge. Our refuge on the Detroit River is
already demonstrating how--working as a team--federal, state, and local
officials in the United States and Canada, can work with businesses,
conservationists and private citizens to preserve our remaining
wildlife habitat along the River and improve the quality of life. H.R.
289 builds on that success, expanding the refuge south into Ohio, to
protect the Lake Erie shoreline.
The lands we are talking about encompass an area of tremendous bio-
diversity, with unique geological features and a wide variety of plant
life that attracts numerous species of fish, birds, and waterfowl.
In the Great Lakes region, there is a tremendous urgency to protect
our remaining high-quality habitats before they are lost to further
development. We must also do our utmost to rehabilitate and enhance
degraded habitat. This is essential to sustain the quality of life
enjoyed by the people living along the Detroit River and the Lake Erie
corridor.
The Western basin of Lake Erie is vitally important to the economic
and environmental future of the United States. In the 1970s and 1980s,
the ecological health of Lake Erie was a running joke--fisherman
derisively renamed Lake Erie ``The Dead Sea.'' Water quality was poor,
and fish and wildlife suffered as a result.
But in the past two decades, the citizens and governmental
institutions of both the United States and Canada have devoted
increasing attention and resources to the restoration of the water
quality and the fisheries of the Great Lakes, including the Western
basin. Numerous grassroots environmental and conservation organizations
have worked dutifully to address environmental degradation in the
region. I am happy to say that these efforts have been successful,
though there is still much more that must be done.
The coastal wetlands of Lake Erie support the largest diversity of
plant and wildlife species in the Great Lakes. More than 320 species of
birds and 43 species of fish have been identified in the aquatic and
wetland habitats of the Western basin. The shallow Western basin is
home to the largest concentration of marshes in Lake Erie, which makes
it a major migratory bird corridor. Seventy percent of the Mississippi
Flyway population of black ducks is concentrated in the Lake Erie
marshes during fall migration.
The important of Lake Erie is manifested in the United States
congressional designation of the Ottawa and Cedar Point National
Wildlife Refuges. Lake Erie has an international reputation for
walleye, perch, and bass fishing, as well as duck hunting. On an
economic basis, Lake Erie tourism accounts for an estimated $1.5
billion in retail sales and more than 50,000 jobs.
In Michigan, the Refuge will run from the southern boundary of
Sterling State Park to the eastern edge of Sandusky Bay, Ohio. The
Secretary of Interior is authorized to acquire by donation, purchase
with donated or appropriated funds, or grant conservation easements
with the boundaries of the Refuge. Any and all acquisitions of lands
are voluntary, and federal takings are strictly prohibited. I would
note that the Secretary shall administer all federally owned lands,
waters, and interests within the Refuge in accordance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act. Thus, the rights of
sportsmen and waterfowlers like myself to hunt and fish in accordance
with state law will be protected.
Mr. Speaker, I again thank the Resources Committee for their
assistance. Ms. Kaptur's bill is an important piece of legislation
which will be great benefit to the people of Michigan, Ohio, and
Ontario, and represents a sound approach to protecting, preserving, and
restoring the wildlife habitat of the Great Lakes. I urge its adoption.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 289, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________