To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 25, 2005

Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to provide public access to, use of, and recreational opportunities at the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge pursuant to special use permits issued under the Refuge Recreation Act, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, and regulations issued under this Act.

Authorizes the Secretary to limit access to such refuges to specified time periods but requires access to each refuge during at least one period each year.

Directs the Secretary, in issuing special use permits under this Act, to give priority to permit applications that do not negatively impact opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation.

Authorizes the Secretary to include in any permit issued under this Act conditions that the Secretary determines necessary to protect fish and wildlife populations or habitat, or public health and safety.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3] · D–WV

Committees

Natural Resources Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Pombo, Richard W. [R-CA-11] · Withdrawn Apr 5, 2005

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 7, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.
Jan 25, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Jan 25, 2005
Introduced in House
Jan 25, 2005
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 25, 2005 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1183 · To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Navassa National Wildlife Refuge and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge.

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.298 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.298, 109th Congress: To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/298

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr298/BILLS-109hr298ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T21:07:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.298 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.298 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.298, 109th Congress: To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/298

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr298/BILLS-109hr298ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T21:07:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.298 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.298 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.298, 109th Congress: To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/298

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr298/BILLS-109hr298ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T21:07:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.298 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.298 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.298, 109th Congress: To require the Secretary of the Interior to provide public access to Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, Navassa National Wildlife Refuge, and Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/298

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-01-25.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr298/BILLS-109hr298ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T21:07:41Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.298 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.