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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 433 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 433

    Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the 
                  Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 26, 2023

    Mr. Welch (for himself and Mr. Sanders) submitted the following 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Environment and 
                              Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
    Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the 
                  Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge.

Whereas the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (referred to in this preamble as 
        the ``Refuge'') was established in 1943 under the authority of the 
        Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715 et seq.) for the 
        protection and management of migratory birds;
Whereas the Refuge is located on land sacred to the tribes of the Western 
        Abenaki;
Whereas the Refuge encompasses 6,729 acres of protected land in Franklin County, 
        Vermont;
Whereas more than half of this acreage is protected as an inviolate sanctuary, 
        preserving pristine habitats for wildlife and native plant species to 
        thrive;
Whereas the Refuge is part of the Atlantic Flyway system of National Wildlife 
        Refuges connecting the northern breeding grounds and southern wintering 
        areas of migratory birds;
Whereas the Refuge was designated as a RAMSAR Wetland of International 
        Importance in 2013, 1 of just 41 national wildlife refuges in the United 
        States so designated;
Whereas the Refuge is recognized as an Important Bird Area by the National 
        Audubon Society;
Whereas habitats found in the Refuge include floodplain forests, wetlands, 
        shrublands, bogs, grasslands, and upland areas;
Whereas the natural environment of the Refuge is essential to the ecosystems of 
        Lake Champlain, supporting wildlife and preserving clean water 
        resources;
Whereas these ecosystems mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon and 
        strengthening the resilience of neighboring communities;
Whereas the 900-acre Maquam bog located in the Refuge is designated as a 
        Research Natural Area and is the only pitch pine woodland bog in New 
        England;
Whereas the Refuge is home to vital feeding, resting, and breeding habitats for 
        birds, which have supported more than 200 bird species;
Whereas the Refuge is home to the largest concentration of waterfowl in the 
        Champlain Valley and hosts more than 20,000 ducks during their fall 
        migration, including wood ducks, mallards, green-winged teal, and ring-
        neck ducks;
Whereas the grassland habitats of the Refuge are home to bobolink, meadowlark, 
        and savannah sparrows;
Whereas the wetland habitats of the Refuge are populated by reptiles, fish, and 
        amphibians;
Whereas pollinators thrive in the shrublands and grasslands of the Refuge, 
        including 13 species of bumblebees;
Whereas other species that call the Refuge home include raccoons, black bears, 
        coyotes, skunks, beavers, red foxes, river otters, bobcats, porcupines, 
        muskrats, and minks;
Whereas many of these animals are protected by the State of Vermont as 
        threatened or endangered, such as the black tern and eastern sand 
        darter;
Whereas more than 80,000 visitors travel to the Refuge annually to partake in 
        hiking, birding, fishing, boating, and hunting;
Whereas visitors to the Refuge travel from all 50 states and multiple foreign 
        countries to appreciate the beauty and biodiversity of the Refuge;
Whereas the Refuge provides a valuable educational and interpretive resource for 
        visitors and neighboring communities;
Whereas the experience in nature while visiting the Refuge fosters a spiritual 
        connection between people and the land they inhabit;
Whereas the Refuge and the natural environment of Vermont support a vibrant 
        outdoor recreation industry that has contributed billions of dollars to 
        the State's economy;
Whereas archaeologists have documented a cultural heritage in the Refuge dating 
        back more than 5,000 years; and
Whereas the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Abenaki community 
        work in partnership to protect and maintain these cultural sites, 
        preserving them for generations to come: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commemorates the 80th anniversary of the establishment 
        of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge;
            (2) recognizes the importance of this protected land to 
        biodiversity and fragile ecosystems in Vermont and the world; 
        and
            (3) resolves to support the National Wildlife Refuge 
        System, including the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, by 
        providing the necessary financial and staffing resources to 
        carry out its mission of conserving wildlife, protecting 
        habitats, and providing access to outdoor recreational 
        opportunities.
                                 <all>
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