H. Lancaster: “I support S. 476, a bill to reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It also authorizes the Walter B.…”

“I support S. 476, a bill to reauthorize the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It also authorizes the Walter B. Jones Center for the Sounds at the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in eastern North Carolina. Walter B. Jones was our former colleague and chairman of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct and operate the Walter B. Jones Center for the Sounds, which will serve as the headquarters for the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Tyrrell County in eastern North Carolina. This center will provide public opportunities and facilities so that children and adults may study the region's natural history and resources. It will offer environmental education programs and exhibits, and it will provide office space for the operation of the refuge. Any Federal spending will be subject to future appropriations, but we anticipate significant cost-sharing between the Department of the Interior and local and State governments. The exact cost of the center is not certain, although previous centers of this type have cost in the range of $2 million to $5 million. After the center is designed, we will be able to determine its cost more exactly. Congressman Jones introduced in the 102d Congress legislation which would establish this center, but unfortunately, his death in 1992 intervened before it could be enacted.”