[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13800-S13801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BIDEN (for himself and Mr. Roth):
  S. 1849. A bill to designate segments and tributaries of White Clay 
Creek, Delaware and Pennsylvania, as a component of the National Wild 
and Scenic Rivers System; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.


            The White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, today I am joined by Senator Roth, 
in introducing a bill that would designate the White Clay Creek and its 
tributaries in Delaware and Pennsylvania as a unit of the National Wild 
and Scenic Rivers System.
  It has been eight years since I introduced the bill authorizing the 
study of the White Clay Creek watershed, and thirty years since I began 
my efforts to protect this unique and valuable region from the over 
development and urban sprawl that are of increasing concern to all of 
us.
  The White Clay Creek watershed is a truly remarkable environment, 
covering 107 square miles and draining over 69,000 acres in Delaware 
and Pennsylvania. Centrally located between the densely urbanized 
regions of New York and Washington, D.C., the White Clay Creek 
watershed is within a 2 hour drive of eight million people.
  Its diversity of natural, historic, cultural and recreational 
resources, as detailed in the National Park Service's Resources and 
Issues Report in September of 1994, is extraordinary. The watershed is 
home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, archeological sites 
dating back to prehistoric times, a bi-state preserve and state park, 
and a source of drinking water for the region.
  It became clear, early on, that these resources warranted the federal 
protection provided under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 
With the introduction of my legislation today, we are entering the last 
major phase of seeing that protection become a reality.
  Before I begin to speak on the particulars of today's legislation and 
the study process that got us to this point, I think it is important to 
note that while there are over 150 National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
across this nation, the White Clay Creek brings with it two 
distinctions: Specifically, it will be the first and only Wild and 
Scenic River in Delaware; and, it is the first and only river to be 
studied for designation on a watershed basis.
  The study of the White Clay Creek for possible inclusion in the 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers System recently culminated with the 
release of a National Park Service study report in September of this 
year. The study process began in 1992, when Congress directed the 
National Park Service to convene a study task force consisting of state 
and local governments, community organizations, watershed residents and 
landowners within the White Clay Creek watershed.
  As described in the study legislation, the duties of the task force 
were to evaluate the eligibility and suitability of the White Clay 
Creek and its tributaries, and to develop a management plan for the 
preservation and protection of the watershed. Fifteen local governments 
in Delaware and Pennsylvania participated in the study task force.
  I stated during hearings on the study legislation, before the Senate 
Subcommittee on Forests and Public Land

[[Page S13801]]

Management in November of 1991, that there was tremendous support for 
the study and subsequent designation. However, I realized that with the 
diverse group of individuals, organizations and agencies making up the 
task force, the possibility for conflict in determining which segments 
should be designated and what protections afforded them, could be 
great.
  What I could not have expected and what I am extremely pleased to 
report is that the support for protection of the White Clay Creek is so 
strong, that over 190 miles of the approximately 400 river miles 
studied in the watershed are being requested for designation today. 
Clearly, Delawareans and Pennsylvanians alike understand the value of 
preserving areas as unique as the White Clay Creek.
  And, the legislation I am introducing will do just that. It directs 
the National Park Service to incorporate 190.9 miles of the White Clay 
Creek and its tributaries into its National Wild and Scenic Rivers 
System. Along with the designation, all 15 local governments within the 
watershed area have unanimously supported, through the passage of 
resolutions, the ideals and goals of the White Clay Creek Management 
Plan. The plan, developed by the White Clay Creek Task Force, will 
ensure long-term protection of the White Clay Creek watershed, 
emphasizing the importance of local governments working together, which 
is key in obtaining the federal designation I am seeking today.
  Designation of the White Clay Creek and its tributaries will bring 
national attention to the unique cultural, natural and recreational 
values of the area. It will provide an added level of protection from 
over development, by requiring an in-depth review by the National Park 
Service of any proposed project requiring federal permits or federal 
funding in the affected area. And finally, it elevates the value of the 
watershed when applying for state, local and federal preservation 
grants.
  Of the 69,000 acres in the watershed, 5,000 acres are public lands 
owned by state and local governments, the rest is privately owned and 
maintained. There are no federal lands within the watershed and no 
federal dollars will be used to purchase any land within its 
boundaries.
  I believe the protection of the White Clay Creek watershed to be one 
of the most important environmental initiatives I have undertaken since 
taking office in 1973, and it is my hope that Congress will act quickly 
on this bill so it can be preserved not only for us, but also for all 
the generations to come.
                                 ______