[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H1331-H1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE VOLUNTEER ACT OF 2003
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2408) to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to
reauthorize volunteer programs and community partnerships for national
wildlife refuges, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2408
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
Volunteer Act of 2003''.
[[Page H1332]]
SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIPS UNDER FISH AND WILDLIFE ACT OF
1956.
Section 7(f) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16
U.S.C. 742f(f)) is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry
out subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) $2,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2004 through 2009.''.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF PROJECTS UNDER NATIONAL WILDLIFE
REFUGE SYSTEM VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIP ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 1998.
Section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Volunteer and Community Partnership Enhancement Act of 1998
(16 U.S.C. 742f note) is amended--
(1) in the heading by striking ``Pilot'';
(2) by striking ``pilot project'' each place it appears and
inserting ``project'';
(3) in paragraph (1) by striking ``, but not more than 20
pilot projects nationwide'';
(4) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``pilot projects'' and inserting
``projects''; and
(B) by striking ``after the date of the enactment of this
Act'' and inserting ``after the date of the enactment of the
National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Act of 2003, and every 3
years thereafter''; and
(5) in paragraph (4) by striking ``each of fiscal years
1999 through 2002'' and inserting ``for each fiscal year
through fiscal year 2009''.
SEC. 4. CLARIFICATION OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AUTHORITY.
Section 7(d)(2) (A) of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956
(16 U.S.C. 742f(d)(2)(A)) is amended to read as follows:
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding chapter 63 of title 31,
United States Code, the Secretary of the Interior may
negotiate and enter into a cooperative agreement with a
partner organization, academic institution, State or local
government agency, or other person to implement one or more
projects or programs for a refuge or complex of
geographically related refuges in accordance with the
purposes of this subsection and in compliance with the
policies of other relevant authorities, regulations, and
policy guidance.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Saxton) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton).
General Leave
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on H.R. 2408.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I introduced the bill, H.R. 2408, to reauthorize the
National Wildlife Refuge System Volunteer and Community Partnership
Act, which I authored in 1998.
There is no question that volunteers play an invaluable role in the
successful operation of hundreds of National Wildlife Refuges
throughout the United States. Since 1982, the number of refuge
volunteers has grown from about 4,200 individuals to over 39,000
people. In the past year alone, volunteers have contributed over 1.4
million man-hours of their own time to the refuge system. From
operating a backhoe, assisting in the banding of birds or providing
education to the public, to many other functions, volunteers can do it
all.
At the hearing of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Conservation,
Wildlife and Oceans held in June of this year, significant support for
the volunteer program was very evident. A number of suggestions were
made to improve the existing 1998 landmark law, and at the subcommittee
markup these suggestions were incorporated into the bill. Included in
these changes is the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to
enter into cooperative agreements outside the Federal Grant and
Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 with academic institutions, State
and local agencies, and partner organizations, like the ``Friends''
groups that exist at many refuges. The Cooperative Agreement Act has
been a hindrance to the Secretary in entering into these agreements.
H.R. 2408 would clarify that Congress intended to give the Secretary
the same flexibility that the Secretary has to enter into these
agreements under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
I urge all Members to support the Refuge Volunteer Program by voting
yes on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, as noted by the previous speaker, H.R. 2408
is noncontroversial legislation that would reauthorize the existing
authority that promotes volunteer programs and community partnerships
across our National Wildlife Refuge System.
Volunteers provide truly indispensable hours of service to augment
the yeoman labor of our Federal resource managers, rangers, and
biologists stretched thin by the day-to-day demands of managing 98
million acres of fish and wildlife habitat. Congress should do all that
it can to encourage the expansion of volunteer opportunities at our
National Wildlife Refuges.
I commend the act's author and the bill's sponsor, my good friend,
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton), for his continued steadfast
leadership in promoting our refuges as places for both people to enjoy
and wildlife to have a proper habitat.
I also congratulate the chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries
Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Gilchrest), and the ranking Democratic member of that subcommittee, the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), for developing mutually
acceptable language to clarify the authority for the Fish and Wildlife
Service to enter into cooperative agreements in support of volunteer
activities.
This clarification should not only help spur the creation of new
partnerships, but also enhance private sources of support for our
refuges.
This is good legislation, Mr. Speaker, and I urge all Members to
support the bill.
Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise in enthusiastic support of H.R. 2408,
``The National Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Act.''
Since the first refuge was established in my home state in 1912, the
Wisconsin refuge system has become an integral part of life for our
citizens. Our five wildlife refuges and two wetlands management
districts attract nearly 2 million visitors each year. They provide
critical habitat for our state's world-renowned wildlife resources, as
well as opportunities for recreation and groundbreaking research.
Thankfully, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has help in meeting
President Teddy Roosevelt's commitment of protecting our country's
diverse wildlife heritage for future generations. Volunteers like my
constituent John Wetzel, and the ``Friends of the Upper Mississippi
River Refuges,'' work constantly to improve our local refuges and serve
as advocates at the national level.
John Wetzel is only one of over 45,000 individuals across the country
who provide support for our refuge system. These ``Friends of the
Refuge'' do whatever is needed--whether it is raising funds, guiding
tours, battling invasive species or restoring wetlands. As noted
anthropologist, Margaret Mead, once said, ``Never doubt that a small
thoughtful group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it
is the only thing that ever has.''
I am proud to support the National Fish and Wildlife Service in its
vital mission, and I'm pleased this legislation will provide these
dedicated activists the tools and information necessary to help them in
their efforts on behalf of us all.
Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Saxton) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2408, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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