I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4286
To provide for the establishment of the Cahaba River National Wildlife
Refuge in Bibb County, Alabama.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 13, 2000
Mr. BACHUS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Resources
A BILL
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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Cahaba River is recognized nationally
for its unique biological diversity which includes pro-
viding 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, 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 6 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 8
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 5
counties in central Alabama.
(9) The Cahaba River is recognized as an Out-
standing Alabama Water by the Alabama Depart-
ment of Environmental Management.
(3) to direct the Secretary, through consultation
with Federal, State, and local agencies and adjacent
landowners, to assist in the restoration of forest
habitat linkages between Refuge land and other land
to reverse past impacts associated with habitat frag-
mentation on wildlife and plant species;
(4) to provide compatible opportunities for
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photog-
raphy, and environmental education and interpreta-
tion; and
(5) to encourage the use of volunteers and to
facilitate 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, including public par-
ticipation in the conservation of those resources.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT AND ACQUISITION OF CAHABA
RIVER LAND AND WATERS.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall publish a
notice of the establishment of the Refuge—
(1) in the Federal Register; and
(2) in publications of local circulation in the vi-
cinity of the Refuge.
(b) ACQUISITION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall seek to
acquire for inclusion in the Refuge, by purchase or
donation, approximately 3,500 acres of land and ad-
jacent waters (including interests in the land or ad-
jacent waters) of the Cahaba River, Alabama, as de-
picted on the map entitled ‘‘Cahaba River National
Wildlife Refuge, Proposed’’, dated April 10, 2000.
(2) AVAILABILITY OF MAP.—The map described
in paragraph (1) shall be available for inspection in
the appropriate offices of the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service.
(3) ADDITION TO REFUGE.—The Secretary may
add additional land, waters, and interests acquired
under this subsection to the Refuge.
SEC. 5. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall administer all
land and waters (including any interest in land or waters)
acquired under section 4(b) in accordance with—
(1) the National Wildlife Refuge System Ad-
ministration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.);
(2) Public Law 87–714, commonly known as
the ‘‘Refuge Recreation Act’’ (16 U.S.C. 406k et
seq.); and
(3) the purposes of the Refuge described in sec-
tion 3.
(b) USE
OF OTHER AUTHORITY.—The Secretary
may use such additional statutory authority as is available
to the Secretary to conduct projects and activities at the
Refuge in accordance with this Act, including projects or
activities to conserve or develop—
(1) wildlife, fish, and other aquatic natural re-
sources;
(2) outdoor recreational activity programs; and
(3) interpretive education programs.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary such sums as are necessary for—
(1) the acquisition of land and waters described
under section 4(b)(1); and
(2) the development, operation, and mainte-
nance of the Refuge.
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