I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2623
To provide for the expansion of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 
in Bibb County, Alabama. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 26, 2003
Mr. BACHUS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Resources 
A BILL 
To provide for the expansion of the Cahaba River National 
Wildlife Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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 Expansion Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Cahaba River is recognized nationally 
for its unique biological diversity, which includes
habitat for more than 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, in-
cluding fishes, freshwater turtles, mussels, and 
snails. 
(3) The Cahaba River is home to 12 aquatic 
animal species (fish, mussels, and snails) listed as 
endangered species or threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1331 et 
seq.). 
(4) The Cahaba River harbors the largest popu-
lation in the world of the imperiled shoals lily, 
known locally as the Cahaba Lily. 
(5) The Cahaba River watershed contains ex-
tremely rare plant communities, including mountain 
longleaf pine woodlands, and dolomite glades that 
are home to 8 plant species recently discovered as 
new to science, and known to exist nowhere else in 
the world, as well as more than 70 other rare and 
imperiled species of plants. 
(6) The Cahaba River is home to at least a 
dozen endemic aquatic animals that are found no-
where else in the world.
(7) The Cahaba River is the longest remaining 
free-flowing river in Alabama, flowing through five 
counties in central Alabama. 
(8) The Cahaba River is recognized as an Out-
standing Alabama Water by the Alabama Depart-
ment of Environmental Management. 
(9) The Cahaba River has high recreational 
value for hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, canoeists, 
nature photographers, and others. 
(10) The Cahaba River watershed supports 
large populations of game species, including deer, 
turkey, quail, and various species of ducks. 
(11) The Cahaba River was recognized by the 
106th Congress as deserving of inclusion in the Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge System by the establishment 
of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. 
(12) Significant additional recreational, natural 
resource conservation and management, and other 
public benefits would be realized by the expansion of 
the existing Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) REFUGE.—The term ‘‘Refuge’’ means the 
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge.
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF REFUGE. 
(a) EXPANSION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Cahaba River National 
Wildlife Refuge, located in Bibb County, Alabama, is 
expanded to include approximately 30,000 acres of 
lands and waters, and interests in lands and waters, 
within the boundaries depicted upon the map enti-
tled ‘‘Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Pro-
posed Expansion’’, and dated June 2, 2003. 
(2) BOUNDARY REVISIONS.—The Secretary may 
make such minor revisions to the boundaries of the 
Refuge as may be appropriate to carry out the pur-
poses 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) on 
file for inspection in appropriate offices of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The expansion of the Refuge 
under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall take effect on 
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS AND WATERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, may acquire up to 30,000 
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 a 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 as endangered species or 
threatened species under the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.); 
(3) in providing opportunities for compatible 
use (as that term is defined in section 5 of the Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 
1966 (16 U.S.C. 668ee)), ensure that hunting, fish-
ing, wildlife observation and photography, and envi-
ronmental education interpretation are the priority 
general public uses of the Refuge, in accordance
with paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) 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 facili-
tate partnerships among the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service, local communities, conservation or-
ganizations, and other non-Federal entities, to—
(A) promote public awareness of the re-
sources of the Refuge and the National Wildlife 
Refuge System; and 
(B) public participation in the conservation 
of those resources.
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