Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 90 Part 2.djvu/524

 90 STAT. 1992

PUBLIC LAW 94-466—OCT. 8, 1976

Public Law 94-466 94th Congress An Act Oct. 8, 1976 [H.R. 13374] Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Act. 16 USC 668kk note. 16 USC 668kk.

To provide for a national wildlife refuge in the Minnesota River Valley, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Act". DECLARATION OF POLICY

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SEC. 2. (a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds and declares the following: (1) The Lower Minnesota River Valley, which provides habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife species, is a unique environmental resource. (2) This valley is located close to a large metropolitan area and, accordingly, it is of great value as a source of environmental education, recreational opportunities, and interpretive programs for hundreds of thousands of urban dwellers. (3) This valley is currently threatened with spoliation, removal from public access, and ecological downgrading, through commercial and industrial development. (4) Despoilment of this valley and its flood plain will result in the permanent loss of unique social, educational, and environmental assets. (b) P O L I C Y. — I t is therefore declared to be the policy of the Congress in this Act to preserve the Minnesota River Valley through the establishment of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. '

16 USC 66811.

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DEFINITIONS

SEC. 3. As used in this Act: (1) The terms "conserve" and "conservation" mean to use, and the use of, methods and procedures which are necessary to assure, to the maximum extent practicable, the continued existence of populations of fish and wildlife. Such methods and procedures may include, but are not limited to, all activities associated with scientific resource management, including research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition, and public information and education. (2) The term "interests therein" means any property interest in lands and waters, including, but not limited to, a leasehold, an easement, a future interest, or an equitable use. (3) The term "refuge" means the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, established pursuant to section 4 of this Act. (4) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. (5) The term " State " means the State of Minnesota and any political subdivision thereof. (6) The term "wildlife recreation area" means the wildlife recreation area established adjacent to the refuge, pursuant to section 5 of this Act.

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