PUBLIC LAW 106–331—OCT. 19, 2000 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.

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 ‘‘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.

Cahaba River

National Wildlife

Refuge

Establishment

Act.

16 USC 688dd

note.

Oct. 19, 2000

[H.R. 4286]

114 STAT. 1304 PUBLIC LAW 106–331—OCT. 19, 2000

(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) 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,

Federal Register,

publication.

PUBLIC LAW 106–331—OCT. 19, 2000 114 STAT. 1305

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4286:

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.

Æ

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.