Jim Saxton: “H.R. 3292 was introduced by our distinguished colleague the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker). This measure would…”

“H.R. 3292 was introduced by our distinguished colleague the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Baker). This measure would establish the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana. Cat Island is a unique habitat of bottomland hardwoods that has never been leveed, and it is one of the few natural resources along the Mississippi River that still experiences seasonal overflows. It is an area that is teeming with wildlife, and it contains prime habitat for many species of shorebirds, 1,000-year-old bald cypress trees, and millions of migratory ducks. According to testimony received, the forested wetlands typical of Cat Island represent one of the most valuable and productive wildlife habitat types in the United States. Under the terms of H.R. 3292, the Secretary of the Interior would be directed to acquire by purchase or donated property that would form the basis of the proposed Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge. At the subcommittee markup, I offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute that expanded the size of Cat Island Refuge from 9,477 acres to 36,500 acres and clarified the purposes for establishing the refuge.”