Kaptur, Dingell continue effort to add to refuge

1/9/2003

WASHINGTON - A campaign to expand the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge boundaries resumed yesterday, after a bill passed by the House of Representatives last fall was not taken up by the Senate, U.S. Reps. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and John Dingell (D., Dearborn, Mich.) announced jointly yesterday.

The reintroduced bill would authorize the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire land east of Maumee Bay State Park, along the Monroe County shore, and in the Lake Erie Islands for inclusion in the refuge.

Property seizures would not be allowed, but voluntary sales or donations would be facilitated and cooperative management agreements encouraged. The bill also expands boundaries of the Lower Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, created last year under Mr. Dingell's stewardship.