WASHINGTON — The Senate early today passed legislation that would expand the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge by 3,600 acres, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) announced.
“I am excited that we have been able to provide for this important expansion of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge,” Sessions said. “While the refuge is certainly a treasure to the state of Alabama, it is also a national treasure. We will now be able to protect another important stretch of the river, which is critical because of the wide diversity of plants and animals found there.”
The Cahaba River is the longest free flowing river in Alabama, and is home to more than 60 rare plant and animal species, including 10 federally listed endangered species. The 130 species of fish in the Cahaba gives it the most fish biodiversity of any river of its size in North America.
The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 2000, currently protects 3,500 acres of land. The Bibb county refuge is visited by up to 10,000 people each year. The legislation that passed in the Senate was approved in the House of Representatives earlier this month. The bill will double the size of the refuge.
The bill now goes to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign it in to law.
