Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Act
PL 102-212 (H.R.794), enacted 12/11/1991

PUBLIC LAW 102-212—DEC. 11, 1991 
105 STAT. 1655 
Public Law 102-212 
102d Congress 
An Act 
To establish the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge along the 
Connecticut River, eind for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I—SILVIO O. CONTE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE 
REFUGE ACT 
SECTION 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "Silvio O. Conte National Fish and 
Wildlife Refuge Act". 
SEC. 102. FINDINGS. 
The Congress finds and declares the following: 
(1) The late Silvio Conte was a long-time champion of the 
preservation of natural resources, including the Connecticut 
River, shepherding through Congress legislation meant to re-
store the river and its wildlife to health. 
(2) The Connecticut River and its riparian lands are unique 
environmental resources which provide habitat for significant 
anadromous, migratory, and resident fish; migratory waterfowl; 
and other wildlife species, including such threatened or endan-
gered species as the shortnosed sturgeon and bald eagle. 
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(3) Federal, State, and local governments have spent over 
$600,000,000 to clean up the Connecticut River and improve the 
quality of its fish and wildlife habitat, resulting in the re-
establishment or improvement of the populations of many spe-
cies such as the Atlantic salmon, American shad, bald eagle, 
and peregrine falcon. 
(4) The Connecticut River valley is home to over two million 
people, and accordingly the river and riparian lands are of great 
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value for environmental education and natural resource based 
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recreation. 
(5) The Connecticut River valley is threatened with spoliation, 
removal from public access, and ecological downgrading and is a 
significant source of energy and means of commerce for New 
England. 
(6) Despoiling the Connecticut River and its riparian lands 
will result in the permanent loss of unique social, educational, 
and environmental assets and will devalue the significant Fed-
eral, State and local investments made to clean up the river. 
SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS. 
For the purposes of this Act— 
(1) the term "affected States" means the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, and the States of Vermont, New Hampshire, 
and Connecticut; 
Dec. 11,1991 
[H.R. 794] 
Silvio O. Conte 
National Fish 
and Wildlife 
Refuge Act. 
16 u s e 668dd 
note. 
105 STAT. 1656 
PUBLIC LAW 102-212—DEC. 11, 1991 
(2) the term "refuge" means the Silvio Conte National Fish 
and Wildlife Refuge established under section 106 of this Act; 
(3) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, 
acting through the Director of the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service; and 
. 
(4) the term "selection area" means the lands and waters of 
the Connecticut River basin, including the main stem of the 
river and its tributaries from its source at Fourth Connecticut 
Lake to Long Island Sound. 
SEC. 104. PURPOSES. 
The purposes for which the refuge is established are— 
(1) to conserve, protect, and enhance the Connecticut River 
valley populations of Atlantic salmon, American shad, river 
herring, shortnosed sturgeon, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, 
osprey, black ducks, and other native species of plants, fish, and 
wildlife; 
(2) to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural diversity and 
abundance of plant, fish, and wildlife species and 
the 
ecosystems upon which these species depend within the refuge; 
(3) to protect species listed as endangered or threatened, or 
identified as candidates for listing, pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
(4) to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and bio-
logical integrity of wetlands and other waters within the refuge; 
(5) to fulfill the international treaty obligations of the United 
States relating to fish and wildlife and wetlands; and 
(6) to provide opportunities for scientific research, environ-
mental education, and fish and wildlife-oriented recreation and 
access to the extent compatible with the other purposes stated 
in this section. 
SEC. 105. SELECTION OF LANDS. 
Within three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
• Secretary shall— 
(1) consult with appropriate State and local officials, including 
those representing State government natural heritage inven-
tory agencies, the Long Island Sound Management Conference 
as established under the National Estuary Program, private 
conservation organizations, and other interested parties in des-
ignating the refuge boundaries; 
(2) define and designate the refuge boundaries, including all 
subunits, within the selection area that would fulfill the pur-
poses set forth in section 104 of this Act; and 
Federal 
(3) prepare a detailed map depicting the refuge boundaries 
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designated under paragraph (2), which the Secretary shall keep 
pubiica ion. 
^^ gj^^ ^^^ available for public inspection at offices of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and publish notice in 
the Federal Register of such availability. 
SEC. 106. ACQUISITION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE. 
(a) ACQUISITION.—To the extent authorized under the Fish and 
Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f-a-5), the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended (16 U.S.C. 460k-4-ll), 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.), the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715-715s), the 
Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986, as amended (16 U.S.C. 
PUBLIC LAW 102-212—DEC. 11, 1991 
105 STAT. 1657 
3901 et seq.), the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 
U.S.C. 4401-4413), and other existing laws, the Secretary may ac-
quire for inclusion in the refuge by purchase or donation such lands 
and waters or interests therein (including permanent conservation 
easements) within the boundaries defined and designated under 
section 105 of this Act. All lands, waters, and interests therein so 
acquired shall be part of the refuge. 
(b) EsTABUSHMENT.—When sufficient property within the bound-
aries defined and designated under section 105 of this Act have been 
acquired to constitute an area that can be effectively managed as a 
refuge, the Secretary shall establish the refuge, to be named the 
"Silvio Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge", by publishing a 
notice to that effect in the Federal Register and publications of local 
circulation. 
(c) BOUNDARY REVISIONS.—The Secretary may make such minor 
revisions in the boundaries of the refuge defined and designated 
under section 105 of this Act as may be appropriate to carry out the 
purposes of this Act or to facilitate the acquisition of property 
within the refuge. 
(d) INTERIM REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Within one year of the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works in the United States Senate and 
the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the United 
States House of Representatives a report describing those lands and 
waters that the Secretary proposes to acquire under the Fish and 
Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f-a-5), the Land and Water 
Conservation Fund Act of 1965, as amended (16 U.S.C. 460k-4-ll), 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.), the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715-715s), the 
Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986, as amended (16 U.S.C. 
3901 et seq.), the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (16 
U.S.C. 4401-4413), and other existing laws for inclusion in the refuge 
at a subsequent time. The Secretary also shall include in the report 
an estimate of the total number of acres of lands or waters or 
interests therein that may be acquired for inclusion within the 
refuge boundaries under the authority of this Act and other existing 
laws and the approximate cost of such acquisition. 
SEC. 107. ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall administer all lands, waters, 
and interests therein acquired under section 106 pursuant to— 
(1) the provisions of 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 for which the refuge is established, as set 
forth in section 104 of this Act. 
(b) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.—The Secretary shall work with, 
provide technical assistance to, provide community outreach and 
education programs for or with, or enter into cooperative agree-
ments with private landowners. State and local governments or 
agencies, and conservation organizations to further the purposes for 
which the refuge is established, as set forth in section 104 of this 
Act. 
(c) USE OF OTHER AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may utilize such 
other statutory authority as may be available to the Secretary for 
the conservation and development of wildlife and natural resources, 
the development of outdoor recreation opportunities, and interpre-
Federal 
Register, 
publication. 
Contracts. 
Inter-
governmental 
relations. 
105 STAT. 1658 
PUBLIC LAW 102-212—DEC. 11, 1991 
tive education, as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out 
the purposes of the refuge as set forth in section 104 of this Act. 
SEC. 108. SILVIO CONTE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE REFUGE AD-
VISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) EsTABUSHMENT AND FUNCTIONS.—Within three months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
committee to be known as the "Silvio Conte National Fish and 
Wildlife Refuge Advisory Committee" (hereinafter referred to as the 
"Advisory Committee") which shall assist the Secretary on commu-
nity outreach and education programs that further the purposes of 
the refuge. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP; TERMS.—The Advisory Committee shall be com-
posed of fifteen members, each appointed by the Secretary within 
three months of the date of enactment of this Act for a term not to 
exceed three years, as follows: 
(1) four members, including one from each of the affected 
States, to be recommended by the Governor of each State as 
representing the cities or towns bordering the Connecticut 
River and its tributaries; 
(2) four members, including one from each of the affected 
States, to be recommended by the Grovernor of each State as 
representing State agencies with responsibility for conservation 
or water quality programs; 
(3) four members, including one from each of the affected 
States to be appointed from recommendations made by the 
Governor of that affected State, who shall represent nonprofit 
conservation organizations or citizen groups with direct interest 
in the purposes of the refuge; 
(4) one member of the Long Island Sound Management Con-
ference; and 
(5) two members to be designated by the Secretary, including 
one who represents the energy and commerce interests associ-
ated with the Connecticut River. 
(c) CHAIRMAN.—The Advisory Committee shall elect one member 
of the Advisory Committee to be its chairman. 
(d) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall be 
filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was 
made. 
(e) COMPENSATION.—A member of the Advisory Committee shall 
not receive any compensation for service on the committee. 
(f) MAJORITY VOTE.—The Advisory Committee shall act by 
affirmative vote of a majority of the members thereof. 
SEC. 109. INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION CENTER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to construct, admin-
ister, and maintain at appropriate sites within the refuge, or pursu-
ant to subsection 0)) cooperate in the construction, operation and 
maintenance at an appropriate site, not more than four aquatic 
resources and wildlife interpretation and education centers, known 
as Silvio Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge EJducation Cen-
ters, along with administrative facilities, to provide opportunities 
for the study, understanding, and enjo5mient of aquatic resources 
and wildlife in its natural habitats. 
(b) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary is authorized— 
(1) to enter agreements to share the construction and oper-
ation of and the land acquisition for the center, including the 
PUBLIC LAW 102-212—DEC. 11, 1991 
105 STAT. 1659 
costs thereof, with State and local governments and other public 
and private entities; 
(2) to utilize appropriated or donated funds for construction, 
operation and maintenance expenses: Provided, That Federal 
interests arising from such expenditures are protected by a 
long-term lease, agreement, or transfer of property interest; and 
(3) to interpret the Connecticut River's aquatic and wildlife 
resources in the context of the region's cultural, geological, and 
ecological history. 
SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums 
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
TITLE II—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT AND TERMS OF SILVIO O. CONTE MEMORIAL 
SCHOLARSHIP FUND. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In recognition of Silvio O. Conte's longstanding 
contribution and devotion to the conservation of our Nation's natu-
ral resources, and his life-long commitment to education, the Direc-
tor of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, hereinafter 
referred to as the Director, is authorized to enter into an agreement 
with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, hereinafter re-
ferred to as the Foundation, and the University of Massachusetts/ 
Amherst, hereinafter referred to as the University, to establish the 
Silvio O. Conte Memorial Scholarship Fund. The purpose of the 
agreement is to encourage students to enter the fields of fisheries 
and wildlife ecology and conservation, natural resources policy and 
administration, or ecology by establishing a scholarship fund at the 
University. 
(b) TERMS OF AGREEMENT.—Notwithstanding the provisions of the 
Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreements Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C. 
6301-6308), the agreement authorized under subsection (a) of this 
section shall direct that the University shall— 
(1) establish the Silvio O. Conte Memorial Scholarship Fund 
for the purpose of awarding scholarships for a period not 
exceeding three years to eligible candidates in advanced degree 
programs in the fields of fisheries and wildlife ecology and 
conservation, natural resources policy and administration, or 
ecology; 
(2) invest funds provided by the Director, the Foundation and 
any other contributors in interest-bearing accounts; 
(3) award scholarships annually utilizing the interest gen-
erated from such investment accounts minus the amount equal 
to inflation; 
(4) match the scholarship awards with in-kind contributions 
of equal value, such as waivers of tuition or fees or the provision 
of other financial aid; 
(5) establish eligibility criteria based upon financial needs, 
academic achievement, and potential contribution of the profes-
sion; 
(6) announce the availability of the scholarship in a manner 
which ensures that it is widely distributed and that minority 
and socially-disadvantaged candidates are made aware of the 
opportunity; 
105 STAT. 1660 
PUBLIC LAW 102-212—DEC. 11, 1991 
Reports. 
16 use 668dd 
note. 
(7) upon request by the Director, make available the invest-
ment accounts for his inspection; and 
(8) prepare and provide to the Director annually a report 
regarding the expenditures from the investment accounts which 
shall include the number of scholarships awarded, the amount 
of each scholarship, and the share of each scholarship provided 
by the University. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION.—The Director is authorized to make a one-
time contribution of up to $50,000 to the University to establish the 
Silvio O. Conte Memorial Scholarship Fund. 
(d) TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT.—At such time as the parties 
agree to terminate the agreement authorized under subsection (a) of 
this section, the principle and interest in the account shall be 
deposited in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. 
SEC. 202. WILDLIFE INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION CENTER. 
Title II of Public Law 100-610 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
"SEC. 208. WILDLIFE INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION CENTER. 
"(a) The Secretary is authorized to construct, administer, and 
maintain at an appropriate site, a wildlife interpretation and edu-
cation or visitor center. 
"Qo) The Secretary is authorized— 
"(1) to enter agreements to share the construction and oper-
ation of and the land acquisition for the center, including the 
costs thereof, with State and local governments and other public 
and private entities; 
"(2) to utilize appropriated or donated funds for construction, 
operation and maintenance expenses, provided that Federal 
interests arising from such expenditures are protected by a 
long-term lease, agreement, or transfer of property interest; and 
"(3) to interpret the Pettaquamscutt Cove region's aquatic 
and wildlife resources in the context of the region's cultural, 
geological, and ecological history.". 
TITLE III—CULEBRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 
SEC. 301. HEADQUARTERS FACILITY FOR CULEBRA NATIONAL WILDLIFE 
REFUGE. 
The headquarters facility and residence for the Culebra National 
Wildlife Refuge may be constructed on lands leased from the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico on a long-term basis. 
SEC. 302. COST-SHARING FOR STATE COASTAL WETLANDS GRANTS. 
(a) FEDERAL SHARE.—Section 305(dXl) of the Coastal Wetlands 
Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3954(dXl)) is 
amended by striking "has established a trust fund, from which the 
principal is not spent, for the purpose of acquiring coastal wetlands, 
other natural area or open spaces." and inserting in lieu thereof: 
"has established and is using one of the following for the purpose of 
acquiring coastal wetlands, other natural areas or open spaces: 
"(A) a trust fund from which the principal is not spent; or 
PUBLIC LAW 102-212—DEC. 11, 1991 " 
105 STAT. 1661 
"(B) a fund derived from a dedicated recurring source of 
monies including, but not limited to, real estate transfer fees or 
taxes, cigarette taxes, tax check-offs, or motor vehicle license 
plate fees.", 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall apply to grants awarded 16 U
S
C 3954 
in fiscal year 1992 and each fiscal year thereafter. 
"
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Approved December 11, 1991. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 794: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-58 (Ctomm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 102-165 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 137 (1991): 
May 14, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 23, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Nov. 25, House conciured in Senate amendments.