A bill to establish the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
PL 96-267 (H.R.6727), enacted 06/09/1980

PUBLIC LAW 96-267—JUNE 9, 1980 
94 STAT. 483 
Public Law 96-267 
96th Congress 
An Act 
To establish the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS 
SECTION 1. The Congress finds that— 
(1) Alabama's shore near the mouth of Mobile Bay contains 
highly significant and varied wildlife habitat and supports im-
portant aquatic nurseries; 
(2) the area is a critical resting and feeding site for birds of two 
flyways on their pilgrimages to and from Central and South 
Ainerica; 
(3) nationally endangered and threatened species, such as the 
brown pelican, bald eagle, and several species of sea turtles, as 
well as many more species identified by the State to be of special 
concern, are indigenous to this ecosystem; 
(4) this habitat should be preserved to ensure the well-being of 
these and other species, to serve as a living laboratory for 
scientists and students and to provide wildlife-oriented recrea-
tion for the public. 
DEFINITIONS 
SEC. 2. For purposes of 
this Act— 
(1) the term "refuge" means the Bon Secour National Wildlife 
Refuge; 
(2) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior; 
and 
(3) the term "selection area" means those lands and waters in 
Baldwin and Mobile Counties, Alabama, depicted on the map 
entitled "Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Selection Area," 
dated March, 1980 and on file at the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service. 
June 9, 1980 
[H.R.. 6727] 
Bon Secour 
National 
Wildlife Refuge, 
establishment. 
16 use 668dd 
note. 
ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE 
SEC. 3. (a) SELECTION.—(1) Within one year after the date of the 
enactment of 
this Act the Secretary shall— 
(A) designate approximately ten thousand acres of land and 
water within the selection area as land which the Secretary 
considers appropriate for the refuge; and 
(B) publish in the Federal Register a detailed map depicting 
the boundaries of the land designated under subparagraph (A), 
which map shall be on file and available for public inspection at 
offices of 
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
Publication in 
Federal 
Register. 
94 STAT. 484 
PUBLIC LAW 96-267—JUNE 9, 1980 
Publication in 
Federal 
Register. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
(2) The Secretary may make such minor revisions in the boundaries 
designated under paragraph 1(B) of this subsection as may be appro-
priate to carry out the purpose of this Act or to facilitate the 
acquisition of property within the refuge. 
(b) ACQUISITION.—The Secretary shall acquire (by donation, pur-
chase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange) lands, 
waters, or interests therein, within the boundaries designated under 
subsection (aXlXB). 
(c) EsTABusHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish the Bon Secour 
National Wildlife Refuge, by publication of a notice to that effect in 
the Federal Register, whenever sufficient property has been acquired 
under this section to constitute an area that can be effectively 
managed as a refuge. 
ADMINISTRATION 
SEC. 4. The Secretary shall administer all lands, waters, and 
interests therein, acquired under this Act in accordance with the 
provisions of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration 
Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) to conserve an undisturbed beach-
dune ecosystem which includes a diversity of fish and wildlife, and 
their habitat. The Secretary may utilize such additional statutory 
authority as may be available to him for the conservation and 
development of wildlife and natural resources, the development of 
outdoor recreation opportunities, and interpretive education as he 
deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of the refuge. 
SEC. 5. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of 
the Interior, not to exceed— 
(1) $6,000,000 for the fiscal vear beginning October 1,1980, and 
ending September 30, 1981, $8,000,000 for the period beginning 
October 1, 1981, and ending September 30,1983, and $9,500,000 
for the period beginning October 1,1983 and ending September 
30,1985, for the acquisition of the refuge; and 
(2) $1,500,000 for the period beginning October 1,1980, for the 
development of the refuge. 
These sums are to remain available until expended. 
Approved June 9, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-895 (Comm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-740 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): 
May 5, considered and passed House. 
May 22, considered and passed Senate.