Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 115 Part 1.djvu/917

 PUBLIC LAW 107-91—DEC. 21, 2001 115 STAT. 895 (8) The internatioiial importance of the Lower Detroit River area is manifested in the United States congressional designation of the 460-acre Wyandotte National Wildlife Refuge. (9) Canada's Canaird River Marsh Complex is an internationaly significant waterfowl staging area which is one of the main resting and feeding areas for canvasbacks migrating from their nesting grounds in the Canadian prairies to the East Coast. Many over-winter in the area as well. (10) The diversity of biota and habitats in the Lower Detroit River ecosystem provides substantial benefits to the over 5,000,000 people who live in the vicinity. The Lower Detroit River has an internationsJ reputation for duck hunting. On an economic basis, retail sales related to waterfowl hunting in Michigan were estimated in 1991 to be $20,100,000. During the same year birding, photography, and other nonconsumptive uses of waterfowl contributed an additioned $192,800,000 in Michigan. (11) More than 1,000,000 pleasure boats are registered in Michigan and about half of those are used on the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair, in part to fish for the estimated 10,000,000 walleye that migrate to the Detroit River each spring from Lake Erie to spawn. These walleye have helped create an internationaly renowned sport fishery estimated to bring in $1,000,000 to the economy of communities adong the lower Detroit River each spring. (12) All of these natural resource vgdues and socioeconomic benefits were acclaimed when the Detroit River was designated an American Heritage River in 1998. The Detroit River is also a Canadian Heritage River, making it the first international heritage river system in the world. (13) The Detroit River has lost over 95 percent of its coastal wetland habitats and despite increased awareness and supporting science of their importance, habitats continue to be destroyed and degraded. (14) Protection of remsdning wildlife habitats and enhancement of degraded wildlife habitats are essential to sustain the quality of life enjoyed by so many living along the Detroit River corridor. SEC. 3. DEFTNITIONS. For purposes of this Act: (1) The term "Refuge" meeuis the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge established by section 5. (2) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. (3) The term "Detroit River" means those Isinds and waters within the area described in section 5(a). SEC. 4. PURPOSES. The purposes for which the Refuge is established and shall be mainaged Eire as follows: (1) To protect the remaining high-quality fish and wildlife habitats of the Detroit River before they are lost to further development and to restore and enhance degraded wildlife habitats associated with the Detroit River. (2) To assist in international efforts to conserve, enhance, and restore the native aquatic and terrestrial community characteristics of the Detroit River (including associated fish,

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