[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 51 (Monday, December 24, 2001)]
[Pages 1819-1820]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing Legislation Establishing the Detroit River 
International Wildlife Refuge

December 21, 2001

    Today I am very pleased to sign into law H.R. 1230, which will 
establish the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, the first-
ever international wildlife refuge.
    The Detroit River on the Michigan-Canada border has lost over 95 
percent of its coastal wetland habitat and has been designated a 
Waterfowl Habitat Area of Concern by the Canadian and American 
governments. Establishing this International Wildlife Refuge will do a 
lot to provide this special place with the protection that it needs.
    This area is a prime waterfowl migration corridor and is considered 
a special place for sportsmen, birders, and boaters. An estimated 
300,000 diving ducks stop in the River to rest and feed during their 
fall migration

[[Page 1820]]

from Canada. At least 65 species of fish live in the Detroit River, 
including millions of walleye.
    This innovative legislation enhances public-private partnerships for 
conservation and habitat restoration. I want to thank the many area 
businesses and groups that developed the conservation vision for the 
refuge.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 December 21, 2001.

Note: H.R. 1230, approved December 21, was assigned Public Law No. 107-
91.