Red River National Wildlife Refuge Act
PL 106-300 (H.R.4318), enacted 10/13/2000

PUBLIC LAW 106-300—OCT. 13, 2000 
114 STAT. 1055 
Public Law 106-300 
106th Congress 
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 
Vedley 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 opportimities 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 msmagement to protect and enhance 
the value of the region as a habitat for fish and wildUfe. 
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 
Oct. 13, 2000 
[H.R. 4318] 
Red River 
National Wildlife 
Refuge Act. 
Louisiana. 
16 u s e 668dd 
note. 
114 STAT. 1056 
PUBLIC LAW 106-300—OCT. 13, 2000 
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. 
Federal Register, 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The establishment of the Refuge under 
publication. 
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.— 
Deadline. 
(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)). 
PUBLIC LAW 106-300—OCT. 13, 2000 
114 STAT. 1057 
(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 "Refiige" means the Red River 
National Wildlife Refuge established under section 3. 
114 STAT. 1058 
PUBLIC LAW 106-300—OCT. 13, 2000 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term "Secretary" means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
Approved October 13, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4318: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-809 (Comm. on Resources). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-462 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000): 
Sept. 12, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 4, considered and passed Senate.