[106th Congress Public Law 331]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
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[DOCID: f:publ331.106]
[[Page 114 STAT. 1303]]
Public Law 106-331
106th Congress
An Act
To provide for the establishment of the Cahaba River National Wildlife
Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama. <<NOTE: Oct. 19, 2000 - [H.R. 4286]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Cahaba River
National Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act. 16 USC 688dd note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
Establishment Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The Cahaba River in Alabama is recognized nationally for
its unique biological diversity which includes providing habitat
for 131 species of fish (more than any other river its size in
North America).
(2) The Cahaba River is home to 64 rare and imperiled
species of aquatic plants and animals, including fishes,
freshwater turtles, mussels, and snails.
(3) The Cahaba River is home to 12 species of fish, mussels,
and snails listed as endangered or threatened species.
(4) The Cahaba River is home to six terrestrial species of
plants and animals listed as endangered or threatened species.
(5) The Cahaba River harbors the largest population in the
world of the imperiled shoals lily, known locally as the Cahaba
Lily.
(6) The Cahaba River watershed contains extremely rare plant
communities that are home to eight species of plants previously
unknown to science and a total of 69 rare and imperiled species
of plants.
(7) The Cahaba River is home to at least a dozen endemic
aquatic animals that are found nowhere else in the world.
(8) The Cahaba River is the longest remaining free-flowing
river in Alabama, flowing through five counties in central
Alabama.
(9) The Cahaba River is recognized as an Outstanding Alabama
Water by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
(10) The Cahaba River has high recreational value for
hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, canoeists, nature photographers,
and others.
(11) The Cahaba River Watershed supports large populations
of certain game species, including deer, turkey, and various
species of ducks.
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(12) The Cahaba River area is deserving of inclusion in the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Refuge.--The term ``Refuge'' means the Cahaba River
National Wildlife Refuge established by section 4(a).
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) In general.--There is established in Bibb County,
Alabama, the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of
approximately 3,500 acres of Federal lands and waters, and
interests in lands and waters, within the boundaries depicted
upon the map entitled ``Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge-
Proposed'', dated April 10, 2000.
(2) Boundary revisions.--The Secretary may 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) <<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. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS AND WATERS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, subject to the availability of
appropriations, may acquire up to 3,500 acres of lands and waters, or
interests therein, within the boundaries of the Refuge described in
section 4(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. ADMINISTRATION.
In administering the Refuge, the Secretary shall--
(1) conserve, enhance, and restore the native aquatic and
terrestrial community characteristics of the Cahaba River
(including associated fish, wildlife, and plant species);
(2) conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to maintain and
assist in the recovery of animals and plants that are listed
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1331 et
seq.);
(3) in providing opportunities for compatible fish- and
wildlife-oriented recreation, ensure that hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental
education and interpretation are the priority general public
uses of the Refuge,
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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)); and
(4) encourage the use of volunteers and to facilitate
partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
local communities, conservation organizations, and other non-
Federal entities to promote public awareness of the resources of
the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and the National
Wildlife Refuge System and public participation in the
conservation of those resources.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary--
(1) such funds as may be necessary for the acquisition of
lands and waters within the boundaries of the Refuge; and
(2) such funds as may be necessary for the development,
operation, and maintenance of the Refuge.
Approved October 19, 2000.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 4286:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-713 (Comm. on Resources).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-461 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000):
July 10, considered and passed House.
Oct. 5, considered and passed Senate.
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