Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act
PL 106-331 (H.R.4286), enacted 10/19/2000

PUBLIC LAW 106-331—OCT. 19, 2000 
114 STAT. 1303 
Public Law 106-331 
106th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the establishment of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge 
in Bibb County, Alabama. 
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 "Cahaba River National Wildlife 
Refuge Estabhshment Act". 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Cahaba River in Alabama is recognized nationally 
for its unique biological diversity which includes providing 
habitat for 131 species of fish (more than any other river 
its size in North America). 
(2) The Cahaba River is home to 64 rare and imperiled 
species of aquatic plants and animals, including fishes, fresh-
water turtles, mussels, and snails. 
(3) The Cahaba River is home to 12 species of fish, mussels, 
and snails listed as endangered or threatened species. 
(4) The Cahaba River is home to six terrestrial species 
of plants and animals listed as endangered or threatened spe-
cies. 
(5) The Cahaba River harbors the largest population in 
the world of the imperiled shoals lily, known locally as the 
Cahaba Lily. 
(6) The Cahaba River watershed contains extremely rare 
plant communities that are home to eight species of plants 
previously unknown to science and a total of 69 rare and 
imperiled species of plants. 
(7) The Cahaba River is home to at least a dozen endemic 
aquatic animals that are found nowhere else in the world. 
(8) The Cahaba River is the longest remaining free-flowing 
river in Alabama, flowing through five counties in central Ala-
bama. 
(9) The Cahaba River is recognized as an Outstanding 
Alabama Water by the Alabama Department of Environmental 
Management. 
(10) The Cahaba River has high recreational value for 
hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, canoeists, nature 
photog-
raphers, and others. 
(11) The Cahaba River Watershed supports large popu-
lations of certain game species, including deer, turkey, and 
various species of ducks. 
Oct. 19, 2000 
[H.R. 4286] 
Cahaba River 
National Wildlife 
Refiige 
Estabhshment 
Act 
16 u s e 688dd 
note. 
114 STAT. 1304 
PUBLIC LAW 106-331—OCT. 19, 2000 
(12) The Cahaba River area is deserving of inclusion in 
the National Wildlife Refuge System. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) REFUGE.—The term "Refuge" means the Cahaba River 
National Wildlife Refuge established by section 4(a). 
(2) SECRETARY.—Tlie term "Secretary" means the Secretary 
of the Interior. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established in Bibb County, Ala-
bama, the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of 
approximately 3,500 acres of Federal lands and waters, and 
interests in lands and waters, within the boundaries depicted 
upon the map entitled "Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge-
Proposed", dated April 10, 2000. 
(2) BOUNDARY REVISIONS.—^The Secretary may 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. 
Federal Register, 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—^The establishment of the Refuge xuider 
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. 5. ACQUISITION OF LANDS AND WATERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, subject to the availability 
of appropriations, may acquire up to 3,500 acres of lands and 
waters, or interests therein, within the boundaries of the Refuge 
described in section 4(aXl). 
(b) INCLUSION IN REFUGE.—^Any lands, waters, or interests 
acquired by the Secretary under this section shall be part of the 
Refuge. 
SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION. 
In administering the Refuge, the Secretary shall— 
(1) conserve, enhance, and restore the native aquatic and 
terrestrial community characteristics of the Cahaba River 
(including associated fish, wildlife, and plant species); 
(2) conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to maintain and 
assist in the recovery of animals and plants that are listed 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1331 
et seq.); 
(3) in providing opportunities for compatible fish- and wild-
life-oriented recreation, ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation are the priority general public uses of the Refuge, 
PUBLIC LAW 106-331—OCT. 19, 2000 
114 STAT. 1305 
in accordance with section 4(a)(3) and (4) of the National Wild-
Hfe Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 
668ee(a)(3), (4)); and 
(4) encourage the use of volunteers and to facilitate partner-
ships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, local 
communities, conservation organizations, and other non-Federal 
entities to promote public awareness of the resources of the 
Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge and the National Wild-
life Refuge System and public participation in the conservation 
of those resources. 
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary— 
(1) such funds as may be necessary for the acquisition 
of lands and waters within the boundaries of the Refuge; and 
(2) such funds as may be necessary for the development, 
operation, and maintenance of the Refuge. 
Approved October 19, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4286: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-713 (Comm. on Resources). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-461 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000): 
July 10, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 5, considered and passed Senate.