[106th Congress Public Law 300]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
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[DOCID: f:publ300.106]
[[Page 114 STAT. 1055]]
Public Law 106-300
106th Congress
An Act
To establish the Red River National Wildlife Refuge. <<NOTE: Oct. 13,
2000 - [H.R. 4318]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress <<NOTE: Red River National Wildlife
Refuge Act. Louisiana. 16 USC 668dd note.>> assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Red River National Wildlife Refuge
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The area of Louisiana known as the Red River Valley,
located along the Red River Waterway in Caddo, Bossier, Red
River, Natchitoches, and De Soto Parishes, is of critical
importance to over 350 species of birds (including migratory and
resident waterfowl, shore birds, and neotropical migratory
birds), aquatic life, and a wide array of other species
associated with river basin ecosystems.
(2) The bottomland hardwood forests of the Red River Valley
have been almost totally cleared. Reforestation and restoration
of native habitat will benefit a host of species.
(3) The Red River Valley is part of a major continental
migration corridor for migratory birds funneling through the mid
continent from as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far
south as South America.
(4) There are no significant public sanctuaries for over 300
river miles on this important migration corridor, and no
significant Federal, State, or private wildlife sanctuaries
along the Red River north of Alexandria, Louisiana.
(5) Completion of the lock and dam system associated with
the Red River Waterway project up to Shreveport, Louisiana, has
enhanced opportunities for management of fish and wildlife.
(6) The Red River Valley offers extraordinary recreational,
research, and educational opportunities for students,
scientists, bird watchers, wildlife observers, hunters, anglers,
trappers, hikers, and nature photographers.
(7) The Red River Valley is an internationally significant
environmental resource that has been neglected and requires
active restoration and management to protect and enhance the
value of the region as a habitat for fish and wildlife.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES OF REFUGE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish the Red River
National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of approximately
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50,000 acres of Federal lands, waters, and interests therein
within the boundaries depicted upon the map entitled ``Red River
National Wildlife Refuge--Selection Area'', dated September 5,
2000.
(2) Boundary revisions.--The Secretary shall make such minor
revisions of the boundaries of the Refuge as may be appropriate
to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to facilitate the
acquisition of property within the Refuge.
(3) Availability of map.--The Secretary shall keep the map
referred to in paragraph (1) available for inspection in
appropriate offices of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Refuge are the following:
(1) To provide for the restoration and conservation of
native plants and animal communities on suitable sites in the
Red River basin, including restoration of extirpated species.
(2) To provide habitat for migratory birds.
(3) To provide technical assistance to private land owners
in the restoration of their lands for the benefit of fish and
wildlife.
(c) <<NOTE: Federal Register, publication.>> Effective Date.--The
establishment of the Refuge under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date the Secretary publishes, in the Federal Register
and publications of local circulation in the vicinity of the area within
the boundaries referred to in that paragraph, a notice that sufficient
property has been acquired by the United States within those boundaries
to constitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a National
Wildlife Refuge.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF REFUGE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer all lands, waters,
and interests therein acquired under section 5 in accordance with--
(1) the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act
of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) and the Act of September 28,
1962 (76 Stat. 653; 16 U.S.C. 460k et seq.; commonly known as
the Refuge Recreation Act);
(2) the purposes of the Refuge set forth in section 3(b);
and
(3) the management plan issued under subsection (b).
(b) Management Plan.--
(1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--Not later than 18
months after the date of the establishment of the Refuge, the
Secretary shall issue a management plan for the Refuge.
(2) Contents.--The management plan shall include provisions
that provide for the following:
(A) Planning and design of trails and access points.
(B) Planning of wildlife and habitat restoration,
including reforestation.
(C) Permanent exhibits and facilities and regular
educational programs throughout the Refuge.
(D) Ensuring that compatible hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental
education and interpretation are the priority general
public uses of the Refuge, in accordance with section
4(a)(3) and (4) of the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668ee(a)(3), (4)).
[[Page 114 STAT. 1057]]
(3) Public participation.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide an
opportunity for public participation in developing the
management plan.
(B) Local views.--The Secretary shall give special
consideration to views by local public and private
entities and individuals in developing the management
plan.
(c) Wildlife Interpretation and Education Center.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall construct, administer,
and maintain, at an appropriate site within the Refuge, a
wildlife interpretation and education center.
(2) Purposes.--The center shall be designed and operated--
(A) to promote environmental education; and
(B) to provide an opportunity for the study and
enjoyment of wildlife in its natural habitat.
(d) Assistance to Red River Waterway Commission.--The Secretary
shall provide to the Red River Waterway Commission--
(1) technical assistance in monitoring water quality,
noxious plants, and exotic organisms, and in preventing
siltation of prime fisheries habitat; and
(2) where appropriate and available, fish for stocking.
SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS, WATERS, AND INTERESTS THEREIN.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may acquire up to 50,000 acres of
lands, waters, or interests therein within the boundaries of the Refuge
described in section 3(a)(1).
(b) Inclusion in Refuge.--Any lands, waters, or interests acquired
by the Secretary under this section shall be part of the Refuge.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums
as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Red River
National Wildlife Refuge established under section 3.
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(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
Approved October 13, 2000.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 4318:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-809 (Comm. on Resources).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-462 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000):
Sept. 12, considered and passed House.
Oct. 4, considered and passed Senate.
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