[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H2606-H2607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JAMES CAMPBELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE EXPANSION ACT OF 2005
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the Senate bill (S. 1165) to provide for the expansion of the James
Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Honolulu County, Hawaii.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. 1165
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 ``James Campbell National
Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge for the purpose of
promoting the recovery of 4 species of endangered Hawaiian
waterbirds;
(2) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service leases
approximately 240 acres of high-value wetland habitat
(including ponds, marshes, freshwater springs, and adjacent
land) and manages the habitat in accordance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd note;
Public Law 105-312);
(3) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service entered
into a contract to purchase in fee title the land described
in paragraph (2) from the estate of James Campbell for the
purposes of--
(A) permanently protecting the endangered species habitat;
and
(B) improving the management of the Refuge;
(4) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has
identified for inclusion in the Refuge approximately 800
acres of additional high-value wildlife habitat adjacent to
the Refuge that are owned by the estate of James Campbell;
(5) the land of the estate of James Campbell on the Kahuku
Coast features coastal dunes, coastal wetlands, and coastal
strand that promote biological diversity for threatened and
endangered species, including--
(A) the 4 species of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds
described in paragraph (1);
(B) migratory shorebirds;
(C) waterfowl;
(D) seabirds;
(E) endangered and native plant species;
(F) endangered monk seals; and
(G) green sea turtles;
(6) because of extensive coastal development, habitats of
the type within the Refuge are increasingly rare on the
Hawaiian islands;
(7) expanding the Refuge will provide increased
opportunities for wildlife-dependent public uses, including
wildlife observation, photography, and environmental
education and interpretation; and
(8) acquisition of the land described in paragraph (4)--
(A) will create a single, large, manageable, and
ecologically-intact unit that includes sufficient buffer land
to reduce impacts on the Refuge; and
(B) is necessary to reduce flood damage following heavy
rainfall to residences, businesses, and public buildings in
the town of Kahuku.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(2) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the James Campbell
National Wildlife Refuge established pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF REFUGE.
(a) Expansion.--The boundary of the Refuge is expanded to
include the approximately 1,100 acres of land (including any
water and interest in the land) depicted on the map entitled
``James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge--Expansion'' dated
October 20, 2005, and on file in the office of the Director.
(b) Boundary Revisions.--The Secretary may make such minor
modifications to the boundary of the Refuge as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate to--
(1) achieve the goals of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service relating to the Refuge; or
(2) facilitate the acquisition of property within the
Refuge.
(c) Availability of Map.--
(1) In general.--The map described in subsection (a) shall
remain available for inspection in an appropriate office of
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, as determined by
the Secretary.
(2) Notice.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the
Federal Register and any publication of local circulation in
the area of the Refuge notice of the availability of the map.
SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF LAND AND WATER.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriated funds, the Secretary may acquire the land
described in section 4(a).
(b) Inclusion.--Any land, water, or interest acquired by
the Secretary pursuant to this section shall--
(1) become part of the Refuge; and
(2) be administered in accordance with applicable law.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
necessary to carry out this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members be given 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I am pleased to urge the adoption of S. 1165,
introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye. This bill is virtually identical
to H.R. 2866, sponsored by our distinguished Resources Committee
colleague, Congressman Neil Abercrombie.
This bill would increase the size of the James Campbell National
Wildlife Refuge on the Island of Oahu by up to 800 acres of land. This
refuge, which
[[Page H2607]]
was created in 1976, provides essential wetland habitat for some 75
endangered plants and animals including four species of highly
imperiled waterbirds. The birds depend on the protection of the James
Campbell Refuge for their survival.
The sole owner of the property is the James Campbell Estate, and
their legal representative testified that the estate is a willing
seller of this property for inclusion within the refuge. The timing of
this transaction is critical because the James Campbell Trust, which
was created over 100 years ago, terminates on January 20, 2007. By
acquiring this property, the two noncontiguous existing parts of the
refuge will be connected. Historical wetland habitat will be restored
and a new protected flyway will be created, and the Army Corps of
Engineers will have the opportunity to provide some badly needed flood
protection for a neighboring community. This refuge expansion will also
conserve the last remaining large coastal dune ecosystem on Oahu,
preserve native strand plants and protect threatened coastal wildlife
including sea turtles, migratory shorebirds, and Hawaiian monk seals.
I urge an ``aye'' on S. 1165.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, as described by my good friend from
California, this noncontroversial legislation would authorize the
expansion of the existing James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge,
located on the north shore of the Island of Oahu in the State of
Hawaii.
Members should also be aware that this legislation would accomplish
other important conservation objectives such as wetland restoration,
local flood protection, and the preservation of beach habitat for
threatened and endangered species, especially green sea turtles and
monk seals.
S. 1165 is virtually identical to H.R. 2866, companion legislation
introduced in the House by my colleague from Hawaii, Congressman Neil
Abercrombie.
In order to allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to proceed with
these acquisitions at the earliest possible date, Mr. Abercrombie has
agreed to move this bill, passed by the other body, in order to
expedite its passage by the Congress and the signing by the President.
{time} 1430
I commend the gentleman from Hawaii for his vision and foresight in
developing this thoughtful conservation legislation, and I urge Members
to support this noncontroversial bill.
Mr. CASE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of passage of
S. 1165, the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of
2005. I cointroduced the House version of this bill (H.R. 2866) with my
colleague, Congressman Neil Abercrombie.
S. 1165 expands the authorized boundary of the James Campbell
National Wildlife Refuge in Honolulu, Hawaii, to include approximately
1,100 acres of land. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USFWS, has
managed the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku, Hawaii,
for the past 30 years to protect four endangered Hawaiian water birds--
the Hawaiian stilt (ae`o), the Hawaiian moorhen (`alae `ula), the
Hawaiian coot (`alae ke`oke`o), and the Hawaiian duck (koloa maoli)--
and at least 25 different North American migratory birds. In 2005,
USFWS acquired fee title to the 240-acre refuge located in two separate
parcels. The expansion area will allow for acquisition of adjacent land
to create a single, large, manageable, and ecologically intact unit
that includes sufficient buffer land to reduce impacts on the Refuge.
The acquisition will also facilitate a solution to area flooding
problems.
The expanded acreage would allow for restoration of critical wetland
habitat, which would form the largest managed freshwater wetland on
Oahu. It would connect the two existing units and create a protected
corridor between them to provide essential habitat for four endangered
waterbird species and migratory waterbirds. It would also protect the
last remaining large-scale and intact coastal dune ecosystem on Oahu
and preserve native strand plants and protect coastal wildlife such as
threatened green sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds, and
possibly the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Support facilities could be
constructed on upland areas to support environmental education and
interpretation programs, visitor services, and habitat management
programs. All land proposed for purchase is owned by the Estate of
James Campbell, a willing seller.
Heavy floods occur frequently in this area, devastating residents who
live in the adjacent town of Kahuku. Because of the location and
natural function of this floodplain, the land acquisition also serves
as the crucial component for the proposed Kahuku flood control project
by preserving the floodwater retention of these wetlands and providing
an area where flood control design can be made more efficient.
This habitat restoration proposal represents the most significant
wetland enhancement project ever undertaken in Hawaii. By combining
effective wetland restoration, endangered species conservation,
environmental education, visitor opportunities, and flood control,
benefits provided will serve not only the local communities, but also
Hawai`i residents and visitors for generations to come.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Madam Speaker, thank you for considering S. 1165 on
the floor today. By authorizing the expansion of the James Campbell
National Wildlife Refuge, NWR, we are protecting endangered and
migratory birds from the effects of an increasingly urban island.
Located on the northern end of the island of Oahu, the Campbell NWR
is the premier recovery area on the island for all four endangered
Hawaiian waterbirds. The refuge consists of approximately 241 acres of
naturally occurring, spring-fed marsh and manmade ponds in two separate
parcels. Although the refuge was established specifically to benefit
the endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae`o), coot (`alae ke`oke`o), moorhen
(`alae `ula), and duck (koloa maoli), it also provides essential
habitat for at least 25 species of wintering migratory birds coming
from as far away as Alaska, New Zealand, and Asia.
The expansion proposed by S. 1165 would connect these two parcels,
providing a protected flyway and essential habitat. The expansion would
also incorporate significant coastal property and preserve the last
remaining large scale sand dune ecosystem. This boundary enlargement
will preserve native strand species as well as coastal wildlife such as
threatened green sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds and
possibly the threatened Hawaiian monk seal.
As a dual benefit, this expansion would also help protect the
neighboring town of Kahuku from devastating floods. The refuge
expansion serves as an important component of the Kahuku flood control
project by increasing drainage capacity and preserving the floodwater
retention of these protected wetlands. In turn, the flood mitigation
project could potentially enhance the wetland area to ensure maximum
production and survival of endangered Hawaiian waterbird populations.
The importance of this added benefit has been made clear as recent
rains in Hawaii have flooded the town of Kahuku along with its schools
and homes.
The Campbell NWR is a haven to endangered and migratory birds. Its
expansion would further the goals of the refuge and the Refuge System
while helping to protect an adjacent town from intermittent flooding.
I would also like to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall
for their support and efforts in addressing this issue. I respectfully
request my colleagues to support this measure and its intent to protect
the wildlife on the north shore of Oahu.
Mr. KIND. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 1165.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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