[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 7934-7937]
[From the U.S. 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--
       (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

[[Page 7935]]

     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
       (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.
  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

[[Page 7936]]

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 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

[[Page 7937]]

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--fishermen 
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 importance 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 the 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 of 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.

                          ____________________