H. R. 4286
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
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, fresh-
water 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 spe-
cies.
(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 Ala-
bama.
(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 photog-
raphers, and others.
(11) The Cahaba River Watershed supports large popu-
lations of certain game species, including deer, turkey, and
various species of ducks.
H. R. 4286—2
(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, Ala-
bama, 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 wild-
life-oriented recreation, ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, and environmental education and
interpretation are the priority general public uses of the Refuge,
H. R. 4286—3
in accordance with section 4(a)(3) and (4) of the National Wild-
life Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668ee(a)(3), (4)); and
(4) encourage the use of volunteers and to facilitate partner-
ships 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 Wild-
life 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.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.