James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2005

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of passage of S. 1165, the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2005. I cointroduced the House version of this bill (H.R. 2866) with my colleague, Congressman Neil Abercrombie.

S. 1165 expands the authorized boundary of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Honolulu, Hawaii, to include approximately 1,100 acres of land. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USFWS, has managed the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku, Hawaii, for the past 30 years to protect four endangered Hawaiian water birds-- the Hawaiian stilt (ae`o), the Hawaiian moorhen (`alae `ula), the Hawaiian coot (`alae ke`oke`o), and the Hawaiian duck (koloa maoli)-- and at least 25 different North American migratory birds. In 2005, USFWS acquired fee title to the 240-acre refuge located in two separate parcels. The expansion area will allow for acquisition of adjacent land to create a single, large, manageable, and ecologically intact unit that includes sufficient buffer land to reduce impacts on the Refuge. The acquisition will also facilitate a solution to area flooding problems.

The expanded acreage would allow for restoration of critical wetland habitat, which would form the largest managed freshwater wetland on Oahu. It would connect the two existing units and create a protected corridor between them to provide essential habitat for four endangered waterbird species and migratory waterbirds. It would also protect the last remaining large-scale and intact coastal dune ecosystem on Oahu and preserve native strand plants and protect coastal wildlife such as threatened green sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds, and possibly the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Support facilities could be constructed on upland areas to support environmental education and interpretation programs, visitor services, and habitat management programs. All land proposed for purchase is owned by the Estate of James Campbell, a willing seller.

Heavy floods occur frequently in this area, devastating residents who live in the adjacent town of Kahuku. Because of the location and natural function of this floodplain, the land acquisition also serves as the crucial component for the proposed Kahuku flood control project by preserving the floodwater retention of these wetlands and providing an area where flood control design can be made more efficient.

This habitat restoration proposal represents the most significant wetland enhancement project ever undertaken in Hawaii. By combining effective wetland restoration, endangered species conservation, environmental education, visitor opportunities, and flood control, benefits provided will serve not only the local communities, but also Hawai`i residents and visitors for generations to come.

Madam Speaker, thank you for considering S. 1165 on the floor today. By authorizing the expansion of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, NWR, we are protecting endangered and migratory birds from the effects of an increasingly urban island.

Located on the northern end of the island of Oahu, the Campbell NWR is the premier recovery area on the island for all four endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. The refuge consists of approximately 241 acres of naturally occurring, spring-fed marsh and manmade ponds in two separate parcels. Although the refuge was established specifically to benefit the endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae`o), coot (`alae ke`oke`o), moorhen (`alae `ula), and duck (koloa maoli), it also provides essential habitat for at least 25 species of wintering migratory birds coming from as far away as Alaska, New Zealand, and Asia.

The expansion proposed by S. 1165 would connect these two parcels, providing a protected flyway and essential habitat. The expansion would also incorporate significant coastal property and preserve the last remaining large scale sand dune ecosystem. This boundary enlargement will preserve native strand species as well as coastal wildlife such as threatened green sea turtles, seabirds, migratory shorebirds and possibly the threatened Hawaiian monk seal.

As a dual benefit, this expansion would also help protect the neighboring town of Kahuku from devastating floods. The refuge expansion serves as an important component of the Kahuku flood control project by increasing drainage capacity and preserving the floodwater retention of these protected wetlands. In turn, the flood mitigation project could potentially enhance the wetland area to ensure maximum production and survival of endangered Hawaiian waterbird populations. The importance of this added benefit has been made clear as recent rains in Hawaii have flooded the town of Kahuku along with its schools and homes.

The Campbell NWR is a haven to endangered and migratory birds. Its expansion would further the goals of the refuge and the Refuge System while helping to protect an adjacent town from intermittent flooding.

I would also like to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member Rahall for their support and efforts in addressing this issue. I respectfully request my colleagues to support this measure and its intent to protect the wildlife on the north shore of Oahu.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 1165) to provide for the expansion of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Honolulu County, Hawaii.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to urge the adoption of S. 1165, introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye. This bill is virtually identical to H.R. 2866, sponsored by our distinguished Resources Committee colleague, Congressman Neil Abercrombie.

This bill would increase the size of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on the Island of Oahu by up to 800 acres of land. This refuge, which

was created in 1976, provides essential wetland habitat for some 75 endangered plants and animals including four species of highly imperiled waterbirds. The birds depend on the protection of the James Campbell Refuge for their survival.

The sole owner of the property is the James Campbell Estate, and their legal representative testified that the estate is a willing seller of this property for inclusion within the refuge. The timing of this transaction is critical because the James Campbell Trust, which was created over 100 years ago, terminates on January 20, 2007. By acquiring this property, the two noncontiguous existing parts of the refuge will be connected. Historical wetland habitat will be restored and a new protected flyway will be created, and the Army Corps of Engineers will have the opportunity to provide some badly needed flood protection for a neighboring community. This refuge expansion will also conserve the last remaining large coastal dune ecosystem on Oahu, preserve native strand plants and protect threatened coastal wildlife including sea turtles, migratory shorebirds, and Hawaiian monk seals.

I urge an ``aye'' on S. 1165.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

(Mr. KIND asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, as described by my good friend from California, this noncontroversial legislation would authorize the expansion of the existing James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, located on the north shore of the Island of Oahu in the State of Hawaii.

Members should also be aware that this legislation would accomplish other important conservation objectives such as wetland restoration, local flood protection, and the preservation of beach habitat for threatened and endangered species, especially green sea turtles and monk seals.

S. 1165 is virtually identical to H.R. 2866, companion legislation introduced in the House by my colleague from Hawaii, Congressman Neil Abercrombie.

In order to allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to proceed with these acquisitions at the earliest possible date, Mr. Abercrombie has agreed to move this bill, passed by the other body, in order to expedite its passage by the Congress and the signing by the President.

I commend the gentleman from Hawaii for his vision and foresight in developing this thoughtful conservation legislation, and I urge Members to support this noncontroversial bill.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.