[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 5 (Monday, January 31, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E28]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE WHITE CLAY CREEK WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 31, 2000

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Joe Pitts to 
introduce legislation to officially designate White Clay Creek and its 
tributaries as part of the National Park Service's National Wild and 
Scenic Rivers System.
  This bill is the culmination of over 30 years of grassroot efforts to 
bring attention to the unique qualities of White Clay Creek and to 
build consensus to protect its beauty from the adverse consequences of 
urban sprawl. White Clay Creek is located in the densely populated area 
between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Newark, Delaware. Eight million 
people live within two hours of the watershed.
  White Clay Creek is worth protecting. There are 38 properties in the 
watershed that have been listed on the National Register of Historic 
Places. In addition, the watershed is home to three endangered plant 
species and 100 more plant species of ``special concern'' to the State 
of Delaware. With regard to wildlife, the endangered bog turtle is 
found in the watershed along with 38 ``rare'' animal species on 
Delaware's list of ``special concern.'' Because the watershed is 
located in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway, it is the northern 
boundary for many southern species of birds and the southern boundary 
for many northern species of birds. In total, there are about 200 bird 
species in the watershed, including the American Bald Eagle. White Clay 
Creek serves as a vital source of drinking water for New Castle County, 
Delaware and Chester County, Pennsylvania. Finally, White Clay Creek 
watershed is a popular location for fishing (particularly trout 
fishing), hiking, jogging, swimming, bird-watching, horseback riding, 
skating, sledding, cross-country skiing, photography, and limited deer 
hunting.
  In September 1999, the National Parks Service released its final 
report, as ordered by Congress in the 1992 amendments to the National 
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, recommending the size and scope of the Wild 
and Scenic designation for White Clay Creek. The study confirmed the 
beliefs of the citizens living in the watershed that there was popular 
support for protecting the watershed's natural, historic, and 
recreational resources. In fact, 89% of the landowners surveyed agreed 
to support land use regulations and programs to conserve and protect 
the watershed. At the same time a majority believed that there must be 
room for planned residential, commercial, and industrial growth.
  Therefore, a White Clay Creek Task Force of private landowners, 
river-related organizations, and all levels of government developed the 
White Clay Creek Management Plan to designate a total of 191 miles, 24 
miles as scenic and 167 miles as recreational, of White Clay Creek as 
suitable for the National Wild and Scenic River System. All fifteen of 
the local governments in the watershed, including the City of Newark 
and New Castle County, passed resolutions supporting the management 
plan. The designated scenic areas flow through the White Clay Creek 
Preserve, the White Clay Creek State Park, and the Middle Run Natural 
Area.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to describe 
exactly what it means and what it does not mean for White Clay Creek to 
be designated wild and scenic. This bill means that the river receives 
permanent protection from federally-licensed or assisted water resource 
projects (dams, diversions, channelization, etc.) that would have a 
direct and adverse effect on its free-flowing condition or outstanding 
remarkable resources. It does not mean that existing wastewater 
treatment plants or potential reservoir sites cannot be expanded to 
accommodate carefully planned residential, commercial, and industrial 
growth. New Castle County is actively seeking solutions to water 
shortage problems, and this bill does not limit options that are in the 
best interests of the citizens of Delaware. The legislation does not 
open private lands to public access, nor does it usually affect 
existing uses of private property. This legislation does not replace 
the authority of state, county, and municipal governments to regulate 
land use in the watershed. In fact, there are no federal lands within 
the watershed and this bill does not authorize federal funds to be used 
to purchase land. It simply prohibits federal funds from being used to 
interfere with the free-flowing nature of the river or its unique 
resources. In doing so, it elevates the status of the river in 
competing for federal preservation grants. Finally, it mobilizes the 
states, local governments, and communities in the watershed to work 
together to preserve this unique, free flowing river.
  Mr. Speaker, clearly the combination of White Clay Creek watershed's 
unique features and the strong local support for protecting the 
watershed justify its designation as a wild and scenic river. I hope 
the House Resources Committee will make it a priority to hold hearings 
on this bill. I am confident the Committee will agree that federal 
funds should not be used to obstruct the free flow or harm the unique 
resources of White Clay Creek.




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