PUBLIC LAW 106–300—OCT. 13, 2000 114 STAT. 1055

Public Law 106–300

106th Congress

An Act

To establish the Red River National Wildlife Refuge.

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 ‘‘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

Red River

National Wildlife

Refuge Act.

Louisiana.

16 USC 668dd

note.

Oct. 13, 2000

[H.R. 4318]

114 STAT. 1056 PUBLIC LAW 106–300—OCT. 13, 2000

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) 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) 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)).

Deadline.

Federal Register,

publication.

PUBLIC LAW 106–300—OCT. 13, 2000 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.

114 STAT. 1058 PUBLIC LAW 106–300—OCT. 13, 2000

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4318:

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.

Æ

(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary

of the Interior.

Approved October 13, 2000.