Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/2111

 120 STAT. 2080

PUBLIC LAW 109–363—OCT. 17, 2006 (8) Ongoing studies have documented the high water quality of Cherry Creek. (9) Public meetings over several years have demonstrated strong, deep, and growing local support for a Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, as demonstrated by the following: (A) Area landowners, business and community leaders, media, and elected officials have consistently voiced their enthusiasm for a Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. (B) Numerous local communities and public and private conservation entities share complementary goals for protecting Cherry Valley and are energetically conserving wildlife habitat and farmland. Along with State landmanagement agencies and the National Park Service, these local entities represent potential strong partners for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and view a Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge as a complement to existing private, county, municipal, and State efforts. (C) A number of local landowners have already put their land into conservation easements or other conservation arrangements. (D) A voter-approved Monroe County Open Space Fund and a voter-approved Stroud Township municipal land conservation fund have contributed to many of these projects. (10) Two federally owned parcels of land are contiguous to the area to be studied under this title as for acquisition and inclusion in a future Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge: The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and a 700-acre segment of the Appalachian Trail owned by the National Park Service.

SEC. 603. STUDY OF REFUGE POTENTIAL AND FUTURE REFUGE LAND ACQUISITION. Deadline.

VerDate 14-DEC-2004

13:05 Jul 12, 2007

(a) STUDY.—The Secretary shall initiate within 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act a study to evaluate the fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities located in Northeastern Pennsylvania and identified on the map entitled, ‘‘Proposed Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge— Authorization Boundary’’, dated February 24, 2005, for their potential acquisition by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service through donation, exchange, or willing seller purchase and subsequent inclusion in a future Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. (b) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary, while conducting the study required under this section, shall consult appropriate State and local officials, private conservation organizations, major landowners and other interested persons, regarding the identification of eligible lands, waters, and interests therein that are appropriate for acquisition for a national wildlife refuge and the determination of boundaries within which such acquisitions should be made. (c) COMPONENTS OF STUDY.—As part of the study under this section the Secretary shall do the following: (1) Determine if the fish and wildlife habitat and aquatic and terrestrial communities to be evaluated are suitable for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge System and management under the policies of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.).

Jkt 059194

PO 00002

Frm 00824

Fmt 6580

Sfmt 6581

E:\PUBLAW\PUBL002.109

APPS06

PsN: PUBL002

�