[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 20, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6794-H6797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TYLERSVILLE FISH HATCHERY CONVEYANCE ACT

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 4957) to direct the Secretary of the Interior 
to convey the Tylersville division of the Lamar National Fish Hatchery 
and Fish Technology Center to the State of Pennsylvania, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4957

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

             TITLE I--TYLERSVILLE FISH HATCHERY CONVEYANCE

     SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Tylersville Fish Hatchery 
     Conveyance Act''.

     SEC. 102. CONVEYANCE OF TYLERSVILLE NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY TO 
                   THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

       (a) Conveyance Requirement.--Within 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior 
     shall convey to the State of Pennsylvania without 
     reimbursement all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to the property described in subsection (b) for 
     use by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as part of 
     the State of Pennsylvania fish culture program.
       (b) Property Described.--The property referred to in 
     subsection (a) consists of--
       (1) the Tylersville division of the Lamar National Fish 
     Hatchery and Fish Technology Center comprised of 
     approximately 40 acres leased to the State of Pennsylvania 
     Fish and Boat Commission, located on 43 Hatchery Lane in 
     Loganton, Pennsylvania, as described in the 1984 Cooperative 
     Agreement between the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     and the State of Pennsylvania;
       (2) all improvements and related personal property under 
     the control of the Secretary that is located on that 
     property, including buildings, structures, equipment, and all 
     easements and leases relating to that property; and
       (3) all water rights relating to that property.
       (c) Reversionary Interest.--If any of the property conveyed 
     to the State of Pennsylvania under this section is used for 
     any purpose other than the use authorized under subsection 
     (a), all right, title, and interest in and to all property 
     conveyed under this section shall revert to the United 
     States. The State of Pennsylvania shall ensure that all 
     property reverting to the United States under this subsection 
     is in substantially the same or better condition as at the 
     time of transfer to the State.

            TITLE II--NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

     SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``National Fish and Wildlife 
     Foundation Reauthorization Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 10(a)(1) of the National Fish and Wildlife 
     Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709(a)(1)) is 
     amended by striking ``fiscal years 2001 through 2005'' and 
     inserting ``fiscal years 2006 through 2010''.

     SEC. 203. APPLICATION OF NOTICE REQUIREMENT LIMITED TO GRANTS 
                   MADE WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.

       Section 4(i) of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 
     Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3703(i)) is amended by striking 
     ``grant of funds'' and inserting ``grant of Federal funds in 
     an amount greater than $10,000''.

     SEC. 204. CLARIFICATION OF AUTHORITY TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO 
                   MATCH CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO RECIPIENTS OF 
                   NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION GRANTS.

       Section 10(a)(3) of the National Fish and Wildlife 
     Foundation Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 3709(a)(3)) is 
     amended by inserting ``, or to a recipient of a grant 
     provided by the Foundation,'' after ``made to the 
     Foundation''.

     TITLE III--NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION IMPROVEMENT

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Neotropical Migratory Bird 
     Conservation Improvement Act of 2006''.

     SEC. 302. AMENDMENTS TO NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD 
                   CONSERVATION ACT.

       (a) Findings.--Section 2(1) of the Neotropical Migratory 
     Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 6101(1)) is amended by 
     inserting ``but breed in Canada and the United States'' after 
     ``the Caribbean''.
       (b) Purposes.--Section 3(2) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 6102(2)) 
     is amended by inserting ``Canada,'' after ``United States,''.
       (c) Definition of Caribbean.--Section 4 of such Act (16 
     U.S.C. 6103) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (3) and (5), respectively;
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Caribbean.--The term `Caribbean' includes Puerto Rico 
     and the United States Virgin Islands.''; and
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (3), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(4) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Neotropical 
     Migratory Bird Conservation Fund established by section 
     9(a).''.
       (d) Authorization of Projects to Enhance Conservation in 
     Canada.--Section 5(c)(2) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 6104(c)(2)) 
     is amended by inserting ``Canada,'' after ``the United 
     States,''.
       (e) Cost Sharing.--Section 5(e)(2)(B) of such Act (16 
     U.S.C. 6104(e)(2)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(B) Form of payment.--
       ``(i) Projects in the united states and canada.--The non-
     Federal share required to be paid for a project carried out 
     in the United States or Canada shall be paid in cash.
       ``(ii) Projects in latin america and the caribbean.--The 
     non-Federal share required to be paid for a project carried 
     out in Latin America or the Caribbean may be paid in cash or 
     in kind.''.
       (f) Advisory Group.--
       (1) Composition.--Section 7(b)(1) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
     6106(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
     ``The advisory group as a whole shall have expertise in the 
     methods and procedures set forth in section 4(2) in each 
     country and region of the Western Hemisphere''.
       (2) Encouragement to convene.--The Secretary of the 
     Interior is encouraged to convene an advisory group under 
     section 7(b)(1) of such Act by not later than 6 months after 
     the effective date of this Act. This paragraph shall not be 
     considered to authorize delay of the schedule previously 
     established by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     for the submission, judging, and awarding of grants.
       (g) Report.--Section 8 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 6107) is 
     amended by striking ``October 1, 2002,'' and inserting ``2 
     years after the date of the enactment of the Neotropical 
     Migratory Bird Conservation Improvement Act of 2006''.
       (h) Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund.--
       (1) In general.--Section 9 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 6108) is 
     amended by striking so much as precedes subsection (c) and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 9. NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION FUND.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury 
     a separate account, which shall be known as the `Neotropical 
     Migratory Bird Conservation Fund'. The Fund shall consist of 
     amounts deposited into the Fund by the Secretary of the 
     Treasury under subsection (b).
       ``(b) Deposits Into the Fund.--The Secretary of the 
     Treasury shall deposit into the Fund--
       ``(1) all amounts received by the Secretary in the form of 
     donations under subsection (d); and
       ``(2) other amounts appropriated to the Fund.''.
       (2) Administrative expenses.--Section 9(c)(2) of such Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 6108(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``$80,000'' and 
     inserting ``$100,000''.
       (3) Conforming amendments.--Such Act is amended further as 
     follows:
       (A) In section 4 (16 U.S.C. 6103), by striking paragraph 
     (1) and inserting the following:
       ``(1) Fund.--The term `Fund' means the Neotropical 
     Migratory Bird Conservation Fund established by section 
     9(a).''.

[[Page H6795]]

       (B) In section 9(d) (16 U.S.C. 6108(d)), by striking 
     ``Account'' and inserting ``Fund''.
       (4) Transfer.--The Secretary of the Treasury may transfer 
     to the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Fund amounts 
     that were in the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation 
     Account immediately before the enactment of this Act.
       (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 10 of such 
     Act (16 U.S.C. 6109) is amended to read as follows:
       (1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before the first 
     sentence;
       (2) by striking ``$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 
     through 2005'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2006 
     through 2010 the amount specified for that fiscal year in 
     subsection (b)''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Authorized Amount.--The amount referred to in 
     subsection (a) is--
       ``(1) $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007;
       ``(2) $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       ``(3) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
       ``(4) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2010.
       ``(c) Availability.--Amounts appropriated under this 
     section may remain available until expended.
       ``(d) Allocation.--Of amounts appropriated under this 
     section for each fiscal year, not less than 75 percent shall 
     be expended for projects carried out outside the United 
     States.''.

                TITLE IV--ED FOUNTAIN PARK EXPANSION ACT

     SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Ed Fountain Park Expansion 
     Act''.

     SEC. 402. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Administrative site.--The term ``administrative site'' 
     means the parcel of real property identified as ``Lands to be 
     Conveyed to the City of Las Vegas; approximately, 7.89 
     acres'' on the map entitled ``Ed Fountain Park Expansion'' 
     and dated November 1, 2005.
       (2) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Las Vegas, 
     Nevada.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service.

     SEC. 403. CONVEYANCE OF UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE 
                   SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE SITE, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary shall convey to the City, 
     without consideration, all right, title, and interest of the 
     United States in and to the administrative site for use by 
     the City--
       (1) as a park; or
       (2) for any other recreation or nonprofit-related purpose.
       (b) Administrative Expenses.--As a condition of the 
     conveyance under subsection (a), the Secretary shall require 
     that the City pay the administrative costs of the conveyance, 
     including survey costs and any other costs associated with 
     the conveyance.
       (c) Reversionary Interest.--
       (1) In general.--If the Secretary determines that the City 
     is not using the administrative site for a purpose described 
     in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), all right, title, 
     and interest of the City in and to the administrative site 
     (including any improvements to the administrative site) shall 
     revert, at the option of the Secretary, to the United States.
       (2) Hearing.--Any determination of the Secretary with 
     respect to a reversion under paragraph (1) shall be made--
       (A) on the record; and
       (B) after an opportunity for a hearing.

        TITLE V--CAHABA RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE EXPANSION

     SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

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

     SEC. 502. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (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. 503. 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. 504. 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 title.
       (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.

            TITLE VI--CHERRY VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

     SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Cherry Valley National 
     Wildlife Refuge Study Act''.

     SEC. 602. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) The scenic Cherry Valley area of Northeastern 
     Pennsylvania is blessed with more than 80 special-concern 
     animal and plant species and natural habitats.
       (2) In a preliminary assessment of Cherry Valley, United 
     States Fish and Wildlife Service biologists ranked Cherry 
     Valley very high as a potential national wildlife refuge.
       (3) Six species that are listed as endangered species or 
     threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
     (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) have been documented within or near 
     Cherry Valley: The bog turtle (possibly the most significant 
     population of the listed subspecies), the dwarf wedge mussel, 
     the northeastern bulrush, the small whorled pogonia, the bald 
     eagle, and the Indiana bat (a historic resident, with efforts 
     under way to re-establish favorable conditions).
       (4) Cherry Valley provides habitat for at least 79 species 
     of national or regional concern, which either nest in Cherry 
     Valley or migrate through the area during critical times in 
     their life cycle, including--
       (A) neo-tropical migratory birds such as the Cerulean 
     Warbler, the Worm-eating Warbler, and the Wood Thrush, all of 
     which nest in Cherry Valley;
       (B) waterfowl such as the American Black Duck;
       (C) several globally rare plants, such as the spreading 
     globeflower; and
       (D) anadromous fish species.
       (5) The Cherry Valley watershed encompasses a large segment 
     of the Kittatinny Ridge, an important migration route for 
     birds of prey throughout the Northeastern United States. 
     Every migratory raptor species in the Northeast is regularly 
     observed along the Kittatinny Ridge during the autumnal 
     migration, including the bald eagle, the golden eagle, and 
     the broad-winged hawk.
       (6) The Kittatinny Ridge also includes a long segment of 
     the Appalachian Trail, a nationally significant natural-
     cultural-recreational feature.
       (7) Many of the significant wildlife habitats found in the 
     Cherry Valley, especially the rare calcareous wetlands, have 
     disappeared from other localities in their range.
       (8) Ongoing studies have documented the high water quality 
     of Cherry Creek.
       (9) Public meetings over several years have demonstrated 
     strong, deep, and growing local support for a Cherry Valley 
     National Wildlife Refuge, as demonstrated by the following:
       (A) Area landowners, business and community leaders, media, 
     and elected officials have consistently voiced their 
     enthusiasm for a Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
       (B) Numerous local communities and public and private 
     conservation entities share complementary goals for 
     protecting Cherry Valley and are energetically conserving 
     wildlife habitat and farmland. Along with State land-
     management agencies and the National Park Service, these 
     local entities represent potential strong partners for the 
     United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and view a Cherry 
     Valley National Wildlife Refuge as a complement to existing 
     private, county, municipal, and State efforts.
       (C) A number of local landowners have already put their 
     land into conservation easements or other conservation 
     arrangements.
       (D) A voter-approved Monroe County Open Space Fund and a 
     voter-approved Stroud Township municipal land conservation 
     fund have contributed to many of these projects.
       (10) Two federally owned parcels of land are contiguous to 
     the area to be studied under this title as for acquisition 
     and inclusion in a future Cherry Valley National Wildlife 
     Refuge: The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and a 
     700-acre segment of the Appalachian Trail owned by the 
     National Park Service.

     SEC. 603. STUDY OF REFUGE POTENTIAL AND FUTURE REFUGE LAND 
                   ACQUISITION.

       (a) Study.--The Secretary shall initiate within 30 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act a study to 
     evaluate the fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and 
     terrestrial communities located in Northeastern Pennsylvania 
     and identified on the map entitled, ``Proposed Cherry Valley 
     National Wildlife Refuge--Authorization Boundary'', dated 
     February 24, 2005, for their potential acquisition by the 
     United States Fish and Wildlife Service through donation, 
     exchange, or willing seller purchase and subsequent inclusion 
     in a future Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
       (b) Consultation.--The Secretary, while conducting the 
     study required under this section, shall consult appropriate 
     State and local officials, private conservation 
     organizations, major landowners and other interested persons, 
     regarding the identification of eligible lands, waters, and 
     interests therein that are appropriate for acquisition for a 
     national wildlife refuge and the determination

[[Page H6796]]

     of boundaries within which such acquisitions should be made.
       (c) Components of Study.--As part of the study under this 
     section the Secretary shall do the following:
       (1) Determine if the fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic 
     and terrestrial communities to be evaluated are suitable for 
     inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System and 
     management under the policies of the National Wildlife Refuge 
     System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.).
       (2) Assess the conservation benefits to be gained from the 
     establishment of a Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge 
     including--
       (A) preservation and maintenance of diverse populations of 
     fish, wildlife, and plants, including species listed as 
     threatened species or endangered species;
       (B) protection and enhancement of aquatic and wetland 
     habitats;
       (C) opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent 
     recreation, scientific research, and environmental education 
     and interpretation; and
       (D) fulfillment of international obligations of the United 
     States with respect to fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
       (3) Provide an opportunity for public participation and 
     give special consideration to views expressed by local public 
     and private entities regarding lands, waters, and interests 
     therein for potential future acquisition for refuge purposes.
       (4) The total area of lands, water, and interests therein 
     that may be acquired shall not in the aggregate exceed 30,000 
     acres.
       (d) Report.--The Secretary shall, within 12 months after 
     date of the enactment of this Act, complete the study 
     required by this section and submit a report containing the 
     results thereof to the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works of the Senate. The report shall include--
       (1) a map that identifies and prioritizes specific lands, 
     waters, and interests therein for future acquisition, and 
     that delineates an acquisition boundary, for a potential 
     Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge;
       (2) a cost estimate for the acquisition of all lands, 
     waters, and interests therein that are appropriate for refuge 
     status; and
       (3) an estimate of potentially available acquisition and 
     management funds from non-Federal sources.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary $200,000 to carry out the 
     study.

     SEC. 604. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
     the Interior acting through the Director of the United States 
     Fish and Wildlife Service.

                   TITLE VII--GREAT APE CONSERVATION

     SEC. 701. GREAT APE CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.

       Section 4 of the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16 
     U.S.C. 6303) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking ``or'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; or''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) address root causes of threats to great apes in range 
     states, including illegal bushmeat trade, diseases, lack of 
     regional or local capacity for conservation, and habitat loss 
     due to natural disasters.''; and
       (2) in subsection (i)--
       (A) by striking ``Every'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Every'';
       (B) in paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph (A)), 
     by striking ``shall'' and inserting ``may''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Applicability of faca.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.) shall not apply to a panel 
     convened under paragraph (1).''.

     SEC. 702. GREAT APE CONSERVATION FUND.

       Section 5(b)(2) of the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 
     (16 U.S.C. 6304(b)(2)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``expand'' and inserting ``expend''; and
       (2) by striking ``$80,000'' and inserting ``$100,000''.

     SEC. 703. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 6 of the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 (16 
     U.S.C. 6305) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2001 
     through 2005'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2006 through 
     2010''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Jones) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  H.R. 4957 contains several important conservation titles. It would 
first convey the Tylersville National Fish Hatchery to the State of 
Pennsylvania, a provision authored by Congressman John Peterson and 
Senator Rick Santorum.
  The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has been operating this 
facility under a long-term lease agreement with the Fish and Wildlife 
Service. By all accounts they have operated this hatchery in a highly 
effective manner, producing adult trout for thousands of recreational 
fishermen and investing nearly $4 million in improvements. The U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service has testified that this facility is not 
considered an active component of the Federal Fish Hatchery System.
  Title II of this bill is based on the text of H.R. 1428, the National 
Fish and Wildlife Foundation Reauthorization Act, as passed by the 
House. It will simply extend the existing authorization levels for the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The foundation has funded more 
than 6,500 conservation projects and involved more than 1,800 
conservation organizations.
  The goal of those projects has been to increase resources for fish 
and wildlife conservation and develop innovative conservation solutions 
while respecting private property rights and sustaining healthy 
ecosystems.
  Title III of the legislation will extend the Neotropical Migratory 
Bird Conservation Act of 2000, legislation which has already been 
passed by the House. This will allow the Secretary of the Interior to 
continue to approve grants for the conservation of the more than 800 
species of neotropical birds that migrate and reside throughout North 
America.
  Title IV incorporates the text of the Ed Fountain Park Expansion Act, 
approved by the other body on July 11. Under this provision, about 8 
acres of Federal land would be conveyed from the Fish and Wildlife 
Service to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. There, land was once used as 
the headquarters for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, but the only 
remaining structure on the property is an abandoned storage building.
  The city of Las Vegas would pay administrative transfer costs and the 
property would revert back to the Federal Government if not used for a 
park.
  Title V incorporates the House-passed language of H.R. 4947, the 
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act. The Cahaba River 
is the longest free-flowing river in the State of Alabama, and it may 
have the greatest fish biodiversity per mile of any river in the United 
States. This measure will modestly expand the boundaries of the 
existing refuge.
  Title VI incorporates the House-passed text of H.R. 5232, the Cherry 
Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act. This legislation requires 
the Fish and Wildlife Service to evaluate the potential of creating a 
new national wildlife refuge in northeastern Pennsylvania.
  Finally, there is an extension of existing authorization of 
appropriation levels for the Great Ape Conservation Act taken from S. 
1250 which passed the Senate earlier this month.
  For the past 6 years, about $1 million per year has been spent to 
stop great ape species from sliding toward extinction. The Fish and 
Wildlife Service has assisted endangered chimpanzees, gorillas and 
orangutans through 155 projects in dozens of range States and leveraged 
an additional $7.7 million in private matching funds.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote 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. Speaker, I support H.R. 4957, an omnibus package of fish, 
wildlife and conservation legislation. I thank Chairman Pombo and 
Ranking Member Nick Rahall of the Committee on Resources for bringing 
this legislation to the House floor.
  Title I of H.R. 4957 is noncontroversial legislation sponsored by 
Representative John Peterson. It will direct the Secretary of the 
Interior to convey the Tylersville National Fish Hatchery to the State 
of Pennsylvania.
  Mr. Speaker, also included in the omnibus legislation before us today 
are a number of other important conservation measures, all of which 
have previously passed either the House or the Senate.

[[Page H6797]]

  Title II contains the text of H.R. 1428, legislation sponsored by 
Chairman Pombo. It will reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation which has been a valuable resource in fostering private-
public conservation partnerships.
  Title III includes H.R. 158, legislation sponsored by Congressman Ron 
Kind, that would reauthorize and enhance the Neotropical Migratory Bird 
Conservation Act. Since 2000, $17.2 million of Federal funding under 
this act has supported 186 conservation projects in 42 U.S. States and 
30 Latin American and Caribbean countries.
  This investment has leveraged an additional $89.1 million in total 
partner contributions to conserve some 3.2 million acres of bird 
habitat. I applaud Congressman Kind for his dedication and leadership 
on this critical conservation issue.
  Title IV includes H.R. 4345, legislation sponsored by our colleague 
from Nevada, Representative Shelley Berkley, which would transfer 
abandoned Federal property to the city of Las Vegas to enhance popular 
park and recreational programs. Both Representative Berkley and Senator 
Harry Reid of Nevada deserve credit for this initiative.
  Title V includes H.R. 4947, a bill sponsored by Representative Bachus 
which would expand the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama.
  Title VI includes H.R. 5232, a bill sponsored by Representative 
Kanjorski, which directs the Fish and Wildlife Service to complete its 
study for a new refuge in the Cherry Valley region of northeast 
Pennsylvania.
  Representative Kanjorski has worked throughout the process to address 
the concerns of all stakeholders, and this study would be the catalyst 
towards achieving the long-term protection of this area.
  Mr. Speaker, last but certainly not least, Title VII contains S. 
1250, legislation sponsored by Senator Jeffords, that would reauthorize 
funding for the Great Ape Conservation Act.
  I commend the sponsor of the House companion bill, H.R. 2693, and the 
author of the original act, Representative George Miller of California, 
for his continued leadership in international wildlife conservation, 
for raising awareness of the dire plight of great apes in Africa.
  In closing, the fish and wildlife and conservation titles in this 
legislation are all worthy of our support. I urge adoption of H.R. 
4957.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley).
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Michigan for 
being so gracious with this legislation that is so important to my 
constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this legislation. My 
primary interest in this bill, although all of it is very laudatory, is 
title IV, which incorporates the language of legislation I introduced 
earlier this year, the Ed Fountain Park Expansion Act.
  This language, which, as has been previously mentioned, has already 
been approved by the Senate and would transfer a vacant 8-acre parcel 
of land from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to the city of Las 
Vegas for the expansion of the Ed Fountain Park. The city of Las Vegas 
intends to build a new community center on the site to complement the 
existing recreational elements of the park, which include lighted 
soccer fields, outdoor basketball courts, an artificial turf football 
field, a bicycle track, and picnic areas.
  The Fish and Wildlife Service has no further use for this property, 
which had previously housed the headquarters of the Desert National 
Wildlife Refuge at a time when this location was on the outskirts of 
Las Vegas. Due to the phenomenal growth we have experienced in southern 
Nevada, the site is very much now in the middle of town, and I cannot 
think of a better use for it than expanding a popular and valuable 
community resource.

                              {time}  1700

  Again, I would like to thank Chairman Gilchrest and Ranking Member 
Pallone from the Fisheries Subcommittee for their assistance in moving 
this issue forward. I urge all the Members to support the underlying 
bill, and again thank the chairman and the ranking member for their 
extraordinary support.
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
this legislative package, which will reauthorize important 
international fish and wildlife conservation programs and will expand 
national parks and wildlife refuges.
  In particular, I want to draw special attention to the Great Ape 
Conservation Act. The reauthorization that's before us today was 
introduced by Senator Jeffords last June, following a bill that I 
introduced in May 2005 with Rep. Baird.
  It has now been more than 5 years since the Great Ape Conservation 
Act was signed into law. In that time, this program has helped protect 
threatened primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, 
orangutans, and gibbons. I'm very pleased that the House is now poised 
to pass this reauthorization, which is needed to continue progress in 
this important field.
  As the Fish and Wildlife Service testified in the Resources Committee 
last June, ``Much of the success of the Great Ape Conservation Act has 
been a direct result of the unique small project focus on on-the-ground 
conservation projects in Africa and Asia.'' The funds provided by the 
Great Ape Conservation Act have gone to such diverse projects as: 
protecting chimpanzee habitat from logging operations; establishing 
anti-poaching enforcement units; starting conservation education 
programs; coordinating gibbon population surveys and threat 
assessments; and implementing ape health monitoring programs.
  Like the other Multinational Species programs, Federal funds under 
the Great Ape Conservation Act are distributed as matching grants, 
meaning that the expense for these projects is shared between the 
Federal government and project partners. This match requirement has 
leveraged over $7.7 million in non-federal contributions over the 
period of 2001-2005 and has more than doubled the actual funding for 
conservation projects.
  But despite the ongoing successes of the Act, the threats to these 
noble primates continue, and time is not on our side. Press accounts 
and reports from the field indicate that these species continue to be 
placed in jeopardy by habitat loss, poaching, logging, and the bush 
meat trade. The bill before us today specifically authorizes funding to 
address these root causes of threats to great apes.
  The contributions of the Great Ape Conservation Act have been very 
important in the international efforts to protect and conserve the 
great apes of Africa and Asia, but there is much work yet to be done. 
Accordingly, today's bill extends the program's authorization through 
the year 2010.
  As I said when I introduced the Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000, 
the task ahead is daunting. But the ecological consequences of not 
acting are far more tragic if it means that great apes will cease to 
exist in the wild.
  I want to thank the Resources Committee staff, especially Dave 
Jansen, for their work in shepherding this bill through the House, and 
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4957, 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.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to direct 
the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Tylersville division of the 
Lamar National Fish Hatchery and Fish Technology Center to the State of 
Pennsylvania, and for other purposes.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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