article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Yukon-Arctic International Wildlife Refuge Act''. SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AREA. (a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--Effective as of the date the conditions described in subsection (b) are met, there is established an international wildlife refuge area to be known as the ``Northern Yukon-Arctic International Wildlife Refuge'', which shall include the entire Arctic National Wildlife Refuge administered under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). (2) Purposes of establishment.--The Northern Yukon-Arctic International Wildlife Refuge is established-- (A) for the purpose of permanently commemorating the long-existing relationship of peace and good will between the people and Governments of Canada and the United States; (B) for the purpose of permanently protecting in an undisturbed condition the only remaining complete spectrum of Arctic ecosystems in North America; (C) in fulfillment of the serious responsibility of humans as stewards of the land, the resources of the land, and the life that depends on the land; (D) for the purpose of permanently protecting all wild bird resources native to North America that are in an unconfined state and that are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), including-- (i) ducks, geese, and swans of the family Anatidae; (ii) bird resources listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); (iii) birds that are nongame fish and wildlife (as defined in section 3(6) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2902(6))); and (iv) wetlands listed as protected under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, done at Ramsar on February 2, 1971 (TIAS 11084); (E) for the purpose of maintaining a commitment to the permanent protection of marine mammals, including-- (i) seals, walruses, and whales, and the Beaufort Sea population of polar bears that are protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears, done at Oslo on November 15, 1973 (27 U.S.T. 3918); and (ii) mammals listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); (F) for the purpose of maintaining a commitment to the principles of caribou management as prescribed under the Agreement on the Conservation of the Porcupine Caribou Herd, signed at Ottawa on July 17, 1987 (TIAS 11259); (G) for the purpose of continued international cooperation and commitment to the protection of marine and anadromous fish species that inhabit the coastal waters of the Beaufort Sea, whose nearshore waters and brackish lagoon system provide for the fish-- (i) eastward and westward migration routes; (ii) feeding areas; and (iii) important spawning and overwintering areas; and (H) for the purpose of continuing the opportunity, consistent with sound management principles, for subsistence uses by-- (i) rural residents of Alaska, including Alaska Natives and other individuals, of public lands; and (ii) Alaska Natives of native lands that are essential to native physical, economic, traditional, and social existence; which uses should cause the least adverse impact practicable on other rural residents who depend on subsistence uses of the resources of the lands. (b) Conditions.--The establishment of the Northern Yukon-Arctic International Wildlife Refuge and the inclusion in the refuge of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge shall become effective upon-- (1) the enactment by the proper authority of the Government of Canada of a provision similar to this Act concerning the Northern Yukon National Park in or near the Yukon Territory, Canada; and (2) the issuance of a proclamation by the President declaring that such an enactment by the Government of Canada has taken place. SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION. For the purposes of administration and appropriations, the United States portion of the Northern Yukon-Arctic International Wildlife Refuge shall continue to be administered under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
summary: Northern Yukon-Arctic International Wildlife Refuge Act - Establishes the Northern Yukon-Arctic International Wildlife Refuge. Declares that the United States portion of the Refuge shall be administered under the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966. Authorizes appropriations.