[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H5584-H5585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CAHABA RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE EXPANSION ACT

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4947) to expand the boundaries of the Cahaba River 
National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4947

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Cahaba River National 
     Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Cahaba River 
     National Wildlife Refuge and the lands and waters in such 
     refuge in Bibb County, Alabama, as established by the Cahaba 
     River National Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act (Public Law 
     106-331).
       (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 3. EXPANSION OF BOUNDARIES.

       (a) Expansion.--The boundaries of the Refuge are expanded 
     to include land and water in Bibb County, Alabama, depicted 
     as ``Proposed National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Boundary'' 
     on the map entitled ``Cahaba River NWR Expansion'' and dated 
     March 14, 2006.
       (b) Availability of Map.--The Secretary shall make the map 
     referred to in subsection (a) available for inspection in 
     appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service.

     SEC. 4. ACQUISITION OF LAND AND WATER IN EXPANDED BOUNDARIES.

       (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), 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 as expanded 
     by this Act.
       (b) Manner of Acquisition.--All acquisitions of land or 
     waters under this section shall be made in a voluntary manner 
     and shall not be the result of forced takings.
       (c) Inclusion in Refuge; Administration.--Any land, water, 
     or interest acquired by the Secretary under this section--
       (1) shall be part of the Refuge; and
       (2) shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance 
     with--
       (A) the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act 
     of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.);
       (B) the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Establishment 
     Act; and
       (C) this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days 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 Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I am pleased to support H.R. 4947, introduced by our colleague, 
Congressman Spencer Bachus, to expand the boundaries of the Cahaba 
River National Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama. This refuge was 
legislatively created in 2000, and it has done a remarkable job of 
conserving 64 rare and imperiled species and 131 species of fish. The 
Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in the State, and it may 
have the greatest fish biodiversity per mile of any river in the United 
States.
  Under Congressman Spencer Bachus's legislation, an additional 3,600 
acres would become eligible for acquisition. This would help to 
maximize the benefits of this refuge and ensure that unique plants like 
the beautiful Cahaba lily and the more than 60 other rare species 
survive in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4947 proposes a modest increase in the size of the 
Cahaba River Refuge. It is enthusiastically supported by the local 
communities and the two major land owners. U.S. Steel and Forest 
Investment Associates have indicated that they are interested in being 
willing sellers in this expansion effort.
  I want to compliment Congressman Spencer Bachus for his tireless 
effort and effective leadership on behalf of the Cahaba River National 
Wildlife Refuge, which is a very special place in rural Alabama; and I 
would 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, we support this legislation that would 
authorize the 3,600-acre expansion of the Cahaba River National 
Wildlife Refuge located in Alabama. Witness testimony received during 
the May 10, 2006, Fisheries Subcommittee hearing on the bill 
demonstrated that the expansion of this refuge is essential towards 
ensuring the long-term protection of threatened forested bottom-land 
habitat and preservation of the river's unrivaled aquatic biodiversity.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this worthy bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time and encourage our Members to support this very important 
legislation brought to us by Spencer Bachus.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 4947, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof)

[[Page H5585]]

the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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