Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 114 Part 2.djvu/593

 PUBLIC LAW 106-369—OCT. 27, 2000 114 STAT. 1417 Public Law 106-369 106th Congress An Act To provide for the establishment of the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. 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 "Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act". SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds that— (1) as the southernmost unleveed portion of the Mississippi River, Cat Island, Louisiana, is one of the last remaining tracts in the lower Mississippi Valley that is still influenced by the natural dynamics of the river; (2) Cat Island supports one of the highest densities of virgin bald c3T)ress trees in the entire Mississippi River Valley, including the Nation's champion cypress tree which is 17 feet wide and has a circumference of 53 feet; (3) Cat Island is important habitat for several declining species of forest songbirds and supports thousands of wintering waterfowl; (4) Cat Island supports high populations of deer, turkey, and furbearers, such as mink and bobcats; (5) conservation and enhancement of this area through inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System would help meet the habitat conservation goals of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan; (6) these forested wetlands represent one of the most valuable and productive wildlife habitat types in the United States, and have extremely high recreational value for hunters, anglers, birdwatchers, nature photographers, and others; and (7) the Cat Island area is deserving of inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System. SEC. 3. DEFmrnONS. For purposes of this Act— (1) the term "Refuge" means the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge; and (2) the term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. SEC. 4. PURPOSES. The purposes for which the Refuge is established and shall be managed are— Oct. 27, 2000 [H.R. 3292] Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge Establishment Act. Conservation. 16 USC 668dd note. 16 USC 668dd note. 16 USC 668dd note. 16 USC 668dd note.

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