Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Visitor Center Act

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 512 Introduced in House (IH)]

108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 512

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 31, 2003

Mr. Bishop of Utah introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

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.
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