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 in-
cludes providing habitat for 131 species of fish
(more than any other river its size in North Amer-
ica).
(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 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 popu-
lation in the world of the imperiled shoals lily,
known locally as the Cahaba Lily.
(6) The Cahaba River watershed contains ex-
tremely 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 no-
where 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 Out-
standing Alabama Water by the Alabama Depart-
ment 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.
(12) The Cahaba River area is deserving of in-
clusion 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 Ref-
uge, consisting of approximately 3,500 acres of Fed-
eral 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 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)
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 para-
graph, 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 photog-
raphy, and environmental education and interpreta-
tion are the priority general public uses of the Ref-
uge, 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 fa-
cilitate partnerships among the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, local communities, conservation
organizations, and other non-Federal entities to pro-
mote public awareness of the resources of the
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and the Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge System and public participa-
tion 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 ac-
quisition of lands and waters within the boundaries
of the Refuge; and
(2) such funds as may be necessary for the de-
velopment, operation, and maintenance of the Ref-
uge.
Passed the House of Representatives July 10, 2000.
Attest:
Clerk.