To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct an education and administrative center at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County, Utah.

February 4, 2003

Mr. BENNETT introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct an education and administrative center at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County, Utah.

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 `Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Visitor Center Act'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

(1) The Bear River marshes have been a historical waterfowl oasis and an important inland waterfowl flyway for thousands of years.

(2) Congress created the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge as one of the first National Wildlife Refuges, for the purpose of protecting waterfowl habitat and migratory birds, educating the public regarding, and enhancing public appreciation of, waterfowl habitat and migratory birds.

(3) The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was virtually destroyed by the devastating floods that occurred between 1983 and 1985.

(4) Refuge employees, aided by volunteers, have taken valiant actions to rebuild the Refuge by restoring habitat, increasing its attractiveness to waterfowl, reducing waterfowl botulism, and providing recreational and educational opportunities to the public.

(5) The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge lacks a functional education and administrative center.

(6) The creation of such a facility would significantly enhance public appreciation of waterfowl and the need to preserve waterfowl habitat.

(7) Congress has taken significant steps to provide funding for the construction of an education and administrative center.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this Act, the following definitions apply:

(1) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.

(2) REFUGE- The term `Refuge' means the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County, Utah.

(3) EDUCATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER- The term `Education and Administrative Center' means the facility identified in the Environmental Assessment dated 1991 and entitled `Restoration and Expansion of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge'.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE EDUCATION CENTER.

(a) CONSTRUCTION- The Secretary shall construct the Education and Administrative Center at the Refuge for the purposes of providing for the interpretation of resources of the Refuge for the education and benefit of the public, the advancement of research, protection, and health of waterfowl habitat, and for the administration of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated $11,000,000 to carry out subsection (a).

SEC. 5. MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS REQUIREMENTS.

(a) DONATION OF FUNDS AND SERVICES- The Secretary may accept donations of funds and services from nonprofit organizations, State and local governments, and private citizens for the construction of the Education and Administrative Center.

(b) MATCHING FUNDS- The Secretary may not require matching funds or contributions in kind with a combined total value of more than $1,500,000 for construction of the Education and Administrative Center.

END