114 STAT. 1418 PUBLIC LAW 106-369—OCT. 27, 2000 16 USC 668dd note. Federal Register, publication. 16 USC 668dd note. (1) to conserve, restore, and manage habitats as necessary to contribute to the migratory bird population goals and habitat objective as established through the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture; (2) to conserve, restore, and manage the significant aquatic resource values associated with the area's forested wetlands and to achieve the habitat objectives of the "Mississippi River Aquatic Resources Management Plan"; (3) to conserve, enhance, and restore the historic native bottomland community characteristics of the lower Mississippi alluvial valley and its associated fish, wildlife, gind plant species; (4) to conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to maintain and assist in the recovery of endangered, and threatened plants and animals; and (5) to encourage the use of volunteers and facilitate partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, local communities, conservation organizations, and other non-Federal entities to promote public awareness of the resources of the Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System and public participation in the conservation of those resources. SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGE. (a) ACQUISITION BOUNDARY.—The Secretary is authorized to establish the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, consisting of approximately 36,500 acres of land and water, as depicted upon a map entitled "Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge-Proposed", dated Februsinr 8, 2000, and available for ingjection in appropriate offices of the tfnited States Fish and Wildlife Service. (b) BOUNDARY REVISIONS.— The Secretary may make such minor revisions of the boundary designated under this section as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Refuge or to mcilitate the acquisition of property within the Refuge. (c) ACQUISITION. — The Secretary is authorized to acquire the lands and waters, or interests therein, within the acquisition boimdary described in subsection (a) of this section. (d) ESTABLISHMENT. —The Secretary shall estabKsh the Refuge by pulalication of a notice to that effect in the Federal Register and publications of local circulation whenever sufficient property has been acquired to constitute an area that can be efficiently managed as a National Wildlife Refuge. SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION. (a) IN GENERAL. — The Secretary shall administer all lands, waters, and interests therein acquired under this Act in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). The Secretary may use such additional statutory authority as may be available for the conservation of fish and wildlife, and the provision of fish- and wildlife-oriented recreational opportunities as the Secretary considers appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. (b) PRIORITY USES. —In providing opportunities for compatible fish- and wildlife-oriented recreation, the Secretary, in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 4(a) of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)), shall ensure that hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation are the priority public uses of the Refuge.
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