Collapse to view only § 725. Regulations, etc., by Secretary of the Interior
- § 721. Short title; “person” defined
- § 722. Acquisition of lands and water
- § 723. Purposes of refuge; regulations by Secretary of the Interior
- § 724. Consent of States to acquisition; existing rights-of-way, easements, etc.
- § 725. Regulations, etc., by Secretary of the Interior
- § 726. Acts prohibited in refuge; commercial fishing
- § 727. Powers of employees of Department of the Interior
- § 728. Expenditures
- § 729. Price per acre
- § 730. Violations of law or regulations; punishment
- § 731. Effect on other laws
This chapter may be cited as “The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Act.” The term “person” as used therein includes an individual, partnership, association, or corporation.
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to acquire, by purchase, gift, or lease, such areas of land, or of land and water, situated between Rock Island, Illinois, and Wabasha, Minnesota, on either side of or upon islands in the Mississippi River which are not used for agricultural purposes, as he determines suitable for the purposes of this chapter, and any such area when acquired shall become a part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (referred to in this chapter as the “refuge”).
The refuge shall be established and maintained (a) as a refuge and breeding place for migratory birds included in the terms of the convention between the United States and Great Britain for the protection of migratory birds, concluded August 16, 1916, and (b) to such extent as the Secretary of the Interior may by regulations prescribe, as a refuge and breeding place for other wild birds, game animals, fur-bearing animals, and for the conservation of wild flowers and aquatic plants, and (c) to such extent as the Secretary of the Interior may by regulations prescribe as a refuge and breeding place for fish and other aquatic animal life.
Except where it is specifically provided otherwise, the Secretary of the Interior shall prescribe such regulations, exercise such functions, and perform such duties as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
Commercial fishing may, however, be conducted in the waters of this refuge under regulation by the Secretary of the Interior.
The Secretary of the Interior is authorized to make such expenditures for construction, equipment, maintenance, repairs, and improvements, including expenditures for personal services at the seat of government and elsewhere, as may be necessary to execute the functions imposed upon him by this chapter and as may be provided for by Congress from time to time.
The Secretary of the Interior shall not pay for any land or land and water a price which shall exceed an average cost of $10 per acre: Provided, That this provision shall not apply to any land or land and water prior to May 12, 1928, acquired or contracted for under the provisions of this chapter.
Any person who shall violate or fail to comply with any provision of or any regulation made pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not more than $500 or be imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as exempting any portion of the Mississippi River from the provisions of Federal laws for the improvement, preservation, and protection of navigable waters, nor as authorizing any interference with the operations of the Department of the Army in carrying out any project now or hereafter adopted for the improvement of said river.