H. R. 4318
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 establish the Red River National Wildlife Refuge.
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 ‘‘Red River National Wildlife
Refuge Act’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The area of Louisiana known as the Red River Valley,
located along the Red River Waterway in Caddo, Bossier, Red
River, Natchitoches, and De Soto Parishes, is of critical impor-
tance to over 350 species of birds (including migratory and
resident waterfowl, shore birds, and neotropical migratory
birds), aquatic life, and a wide array of other species associated
with river basin ecosystems.
(2) The bottomland hardwood forests of the Red River
Valley have been almost totally cleared. Reforestation and res-
toration of native habitat will benefit a host of species.
(3) The Red River Valley is part of a major continental
migration corridor for migratory birds funneling through the
mid continent from as far north as the Arctic Circle and as
far south as South America.
(4) There are no significant public sanctuaries for over
300 river miles on this important migration corridor, and no
significant Federal, State, or private wildlife sanctuaries along
the Red River north of Alexandria, Louisiana.
(5) Completion of the lock and dam system associated with
the Red River Waterway project up to Shreveport, Louisiana,
has enhanced opportunities for management of fish and wildlife.
(6) The Red River Valley offers extraordinary recreational,
research, and educational opportunities for students, scientists,
bird watchers, wildlife observers, hunters, anglers, trappers,
hikers, and nature photographers.
(7) The Red River Valley is an internationally significant
environmental resource that has been neglected and requires
active restoration and management to protect and enhance
the value of the region as a habitat for fish and wildlife.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES OF REFUGE.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish the Red
River National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of approximately
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50,000 acres of Federal lands, waters, and interests therein
within the boundaries depicted upon the map entitled ‘‘Red
River National Wildlife Refuge—Selection Area’’, dated Sep-
tember 5, 2000.
(2) BOUNDARY REVISIONS.—The Secretary shall 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) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Refuge are the following:
(1) To provide for the restoration and conservation of native
plants and animal communities on suitable sites in the Red
River basin, including restoration of extirpated species.
(2) To provide habitat for migratory birds.
(3) To provide technical assistance to private land owners
in the restoration of their lands for the benefit of fish and
wildlife.
(c) 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. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF REFUGE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall administer all lands,
waters, and interests therein acquired under section 5 in accordance
with—
(1) the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration
Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) and the Act of September
28, 1962 (76 Stat. 653; 16 U.S.C. 460k et seq.; commonly
known as the Refuge Recreation Act);
(2) the purposes of the Refuge set forth in section 3(b);
and
(3) the management plan issued under subsection (b).
(b) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date
of the establishment of the Refuge, the Secretary shall issue
a management plan for the Refuge.
(2) CONTENTS.—The management plan shall include provi-
sions that provide for the following:
(A) Planning and design of trails and access points.
(B) Planning of wildlife and habitat restoration,
including reforestation.
(C) Permanent exhibits and facilities and regular edu-
cational programs throughout the Refuge.
(D) Ensuring that compatible hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, and environmental education
and interpretation are the priority general public uses of
the Refuge, 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)).
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(3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide an oppor-
tunity for public participation in developing the manage-
ment plan.
(B) LOCAL
VIEWS.—The Secretary shall give special
consideration to views by local public and private entities
and individuals in developing the management plan.
(c) WILDLIFE INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION CENTER.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall construct, administer,
and maintain, at an appropriate site within the Refuge, a
wildlife interpretation and education center.
(2) 
PURPOSES.—The 
center 
shall 
be 
designed 
and
operated—
(A) to promote environmental education; and
(B) to provide an opportunity for the study and enjoy-
ment of wildlife in its natural habitat.
(d) ASSISTANCE TO RED RIVER WATERWAY COMMISSION.—The
Secretary shall provide to the Red River Waterway Commission—
(1) technical assistance in monitoring water quality, nox-
ious plants, and exotic organisms, and in preventing siltation
of prime fisheries habitat; and
(2) where appropriate and available, fish for stocking.
SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS, WATERS, AND INTERESTS THEREIN.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may acquire up to 50,000
acres of lands, waters, or interests therein within the boundaries
of the Refuge described in section 3(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. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) REFUGE.—The term ‘‘Refuge’’ means the Red River
National Wildlife Refuge established under section 3.
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(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.