"The legislation I am introducing today recognizes the vital importance of the Refuge System and the fact that the system will celebrate its centennial anniversary in 3 years," Representative Saxton said in his introductory remarks. "This bill is an appropriate next step in our efforts to ensure that the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, one of our nations greatest conservationists, will live on in the years ahead."
"This bill celebrates the occasion of the National Wildlife Refuge System centennial, strengthens one of our most important conservation tools, and promotes understanding and appreciation for these natural treasures," said Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. "With its passage, Americas National Wildlife Refuge System will be poised for a new century and a stronger legacy for generations to come."
The legislation also endorses Secretary Babbitts prior direction to the Service to prepare a long-term plan to address the priority operations, maintenance, and construction needs of the Refuge System on a broad scale (operations refers to all efforts to protect wildlife, improve habitat, and serve visitors). During development of the legislation, Secretary Babbitt directed the Service to produce a comprehensive Centennial Legacy Plan to address funding shortfalls and accommodate expansion of recreational programs on refuges.
Although hampered by a backlog of unmet maintenance needs that is approaching $800 million, the National Wildlife Refuge System has taken a number of significant steps forward in recent years, with new organic legislation, rising appropriations, and new vision for the future entitled Fulfilling the Promise.
"The National Wildlife Refuge System is fortunate to have a stronghold of support from Congress and partners, and clear priorities for what needs to be done to fulfill its potential as the greatest network of wildlife lands in the world," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark. "With the Centennial Commemoration Act and all our efforts to take advantage of this occasion, we will be well poised to achieve these goals.
"Congress and the National Wildlife Refuge System have come a long way together in recent years, " said Dr. Rollin Sparrowe, president of the Wildlife Management Institute and leader of a coalition of conservation organizations, the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge Enhancement, that advocates for refuges. "This legislation demonstrates that Congress is serious about closing the gap between the resources that are available and the resources that are needed for the System to accomplish its mission."
President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge at Pelican on the East Coast of Florida through Executive Order on March 14, 1903, and went on to establish some 50 more during his presidency. This small start has grown into the 93 million acre, 520 unit National Wildlife Refuge System. This vast network of wildlife habitats protects millions of migratory birds, hundreds of the nations critically endangered species, premier fisheries, and other species such as bison, caribou, and elk. More than 35 million people annually visit refuges to enjoy activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. At least one refuge is located in every state and U.S. territory.
Reporters: An "online almanac" of refuge information for journalists and filmmakers, including the history of the system, a timeline of recent events, and a wide variety of background information, is available at http://refuges100.fws.gov">.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93- million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System of more than 520 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fish and wildlife management assistance offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies.
