Refuge System Protection Act of 2023

The Refuge System Protection Act of 2023 allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to seek legal action against individuals or entities that damage protected resources within national wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed lands. It authorizes the Attorney General to sue for "response costs" (like cleanup) and "damages" (such as replacement costs for destroyed resources), but only if claims exceed $5,000. Recovered funds must be returned to the specific refuge unit where the damage occurred to cover restoration, cleanup, or monitoring. The bill also permits accepting donations to cover immediate response costs and clarifies that liability under this law supplements, but does not replace, existing federal or state laws.