106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4318
AN ACT
To establish the Red River National Wildlife
Refuge.
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4318
AN ACT
To establish the Red River National Wildlife Refuge.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives 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 importance 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 restoration 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 pri-
vate wildlife sanctuaries along the Red River north
of Alexandria, Louisiana.
(5) Completion of the lock and dam system as-
sociated 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 ob-
servers, hunters, anglers, trappers, hikers, and na-
ture photographers.
(7) The Red River Valley is an internationally
significant environmental resource that has been ne-
glected and requires active restoration and manage-
ment 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 50,000 acres of Federal lands, wa-
ters, and interests therein within the boundaries de-
picted upon the map entitled ‘‘Red River National
Wildlife Refuge—Selection Area’’, dated September
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 acquisi-
tion 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 conserva-
tion of native plants and animal communities on
suitable sites in the Red River basin, including res-
toration 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 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. 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 Ad-
ministration 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 sec-
tion 3(b); and
(3) the management plan issued under sub-
section (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 provisions that provide for the following:
(A) Planning and design of trails and ac-
cess points.
(B) Planning of wildlife and habitat res-
toration, including reforestation.
(C) Permanent exhibits and facilities and
regular educational 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 Ref-
uge, in accordance with section 4(a)(3) and (4)
of the National Wildlife Refuge System Admin-
istration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668ee(a)(3),
(4)).
(3) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall
provide an opportunity for public participation
in developing the management plan.
(B) LOCAL
VIEWS.—The Secretary shall
give special consideration to views by local pub-
lic and private entities and individuals in devel-
oping the management plan.
(c) WILDLIFE INTERPRETATION
AND EDUCATION
CENTER.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con-
struct, 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 enjoyment of wildlife in its natural habitat.
(d) ASSISTANCE TO RED RIVER WATERWAY COMMIS-
SION.—The Secretary shall provide to the Red River Wa-
terway Commission—
(1) technical assistance in monitoring water
quality, noxious 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 Sec-
retary 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.
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means
the Secretary of the Interior.
Passed the House of Representatives September 12,
2000.
Attest:
Clerk.