I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3292
To provide for the establishment of the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge
in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
Mr. BAKER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Resources
A BILL
To provide for the establishment of the Cat Island National
Wildlife Refuge in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. 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 critical habitat for several de-
clining 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) protection and enhancement of this area
through inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge
System would help meet the habitat protection 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, fishermen, birdwatchers,
nature photographers, and others; and
(7) the Cat Island area is deserving of inclusion
in the National Wildlife Refuge System.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS:
For purposes of this Act—
(1) the term ‘‘Refuge’’ means the Cat Island
National Wildlife Refuge authorized to be estab-
lished under section 3; and
(2) the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES OF REFUGE.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established
as a National Wildlife Refuge the ‘‘Cat Island National
Wildlife Refuge’’. The Refuge shall consist of the lands,
waters, and interests therein acquired by the Secretary for
the Refuge, including those acquired under section 5(a).
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Refuge are—
(1) conservation and enhancement of wetlands;
(2) general wildlife management as a unit of
the National Wildlife Refuge System, including man-
agement of bottomland hardwood wetland habitat
for migratory waterfowl, neotropical songbirds, and
bald eagles;
(3) protection and enhancement of endangered
species;
(4) promotion of fish and wildlife-oriented rec-
reational activities that are compatible with the pur-
poses described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3); and
(5) promotion of increased stewardship of the
natural resources through environmental education,
interpretation, and other outreach methods.
(c) NOTICE
OF 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.
SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF REFUGE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall administer all
lands, waters, and interests therein acquired under section
5(a) in accordance—
(1) with the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–
668ee) and the Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C.
460k–460k–4); and
(2) the purposes of the Refuge set forth in sec-
tion 3(b).
(b) USE
OF OTHER AUTHORITY.—The Secretary
may use such additional statutory authority as may be
available to the Secretary for conservation and develop-
ment of wildlife and natural resources, water supplies, and
water control structures, outdoor recreational activities,
and interpretive education as the Secretary deems appro-
priate to carry out the purposes of this Act.
SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS, WATERS, AND INTERESTS
THEREIN.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall seek to ac-
quire for inclusion in the Refuge, by purchase or donation,
approximately 9,477 acres of lands and interests therein
on Cat Island, Louisiana, and water areas adjacent to
such lands. All lands, waters, and interests acquired under
this subsection shall be part of the Refuge.
(b) AVAILABILITY OF MAP; NOTICE.—After making
the acquisitions authorized by subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall—
(1) produce a map depicting the boundaries of
the designated area of the refuge;
(2) keep the map of the Refuge on file and
available for public inspection at offices of the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service; and
(3) publish in the Federal Register a notice of
that availability.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the De-
partment of the Interior—
(1) such sums as are necessary for the acquisi-
tion of lands and waters designated pursuant to sec-
tion 5(a); and
(2) such sums as are necessary for the develop-
ment, operation, and maintenance of the Refuge.
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