SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Cat Island National
Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that—
(1) as the southernmost unleveed portion of the
Mississippi River, Cat Island, Louisiana, is one of
the last remaining tracts in the lower Mississippi
Valley that is still influenced by the natural dynam-
ics of the river;
(2) Cat Island supports one of the highest den-
sities of virgin bald cypress trees in the entire Mis-
sissippi River Valley, including the Nation’s cham-
pion cypress tree which is 17 feet wide and has a
circumference of 53 feet;
(3) Cat Island is important habitat for several
declining species of forest songbirds and supports
thousands of wintering waterfowl;
(4) Cat Island supports high populations of
deer, turkey, and furbearers, such as mink and bob-
cats;
(5) conservation and enhancement of this area
through inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge
System would help meet the habitat conservation
goals of the North American Waterfowl Management
Plan;
(6) these forested wetlands represent one of the
most valuable and productive wildlife habitat types
in the United States, and have extremely high rec-
reational value for hunters, anglers, birdwatchers,
nature photographers, and others; and
(7) the Cat Island area is deserving of inclusion
in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘Refuge’’ means the Cat Island
National Wildlife Refuge; and
(2) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 4. PURPOSES.
The purposes for which the Refuge is established and
shall be managed are—
(1) to conserve, restore, and manage habitats
as necessary to contribute to the migratory bird pop-
ulation goals and habitat objective as established
through the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture;
(2) to conserve, restore, and manage the signifi-
cant aquatic resource values associated with the
area’s forested wetlands and to achieve the habitat
objectives of the ‘‘Mississippi River Aquatic Re-
sources Management Plan’’;
(3) to conserve, enhance, and restore the his-
toric native bottomland community characteristics of
the lower Mississippi alluvial valley and its associ-
ated fish, wildlife, and plant species;
(4) to conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to
maintain and assist in the recovery of endangered,
and threatened plants and animals;
(5) to provide opportunities for priority public
wildlife dependent uses for compatible hunting, fish-
ing, trapping, wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental education and interpretation; and
(6) to encourage the use of volunteers and 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 Ref-
uge and the National Wildlife Refuge System and
public participation in the conservation of those re-
sources.
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE.
(a) ACQUISITION BOUNDARY.—The Secretary is au-
thorized to establish the Cat Island National Wildlife Ref-
uge, consisting of approximately 36,500 acres of land and
water, as depicted upon a map entitled ‘‘Cat Island Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge–Proposed’’, dated February 8,
2000, and available for inspection in appropriate offices
of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(b) BOUNDARY
REVISIONS.—The Secretary may
make such minor revisions of the boundary designated
under this section as may be appropriate to carry out the
purposes of the Refuge or to facilitate the acquisition of
property within the Refuge.
(c) ACQUISITION.—The Secretary is authorized to ac-
quire the lands and waters, or interests therein, within the
acquisition boundary described in subsection (a) of this
section.
(d) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish
the Refuge by publication of a notice to that effect in the
Federal Register and publications of local circulation
whenever sufficient property has been acquired to con-
stitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a Na-
tional Wildlife Refuge.
SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION.
The Secretary shall administer all lands, waters, and
interests therein acquired under this Act in accordance
with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration
Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). The Secretary may use
such additional statutory authority as may be available for
the conservation of fish and wildlife, and the provision of
fish- and wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities as the
Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purposes
of this Act.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the De-
partment of the Interior—
(1) such funds as may be necessary for the ac-
quisition of lands and waters designated in section
5(c); and
(2) such funds as may be necessary for the de-
velopment, operation, and maintenance of the Ref-
uge.
Passed the House of Representatives June 19, 2000.
Attest:
Clerk.