[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 9 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E72]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     THE WHITE CLAY CREEK WATERSHED

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                          HON. JOSEPH R. PITTS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 7, 2000

  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the residents of Chester 
County, PA, for their efforts to preserve the White Clay Creek 
watershed. The White Clay Creek is an important water resource for 
people up and down stream. It is used for quality drinking water all 
the way down to Delaware. In fact, my son and I used to fish for trout 
there when he was a boy. Visibly, the creek looks much the same today 
as it did when William Penn first founded Chester County in 1682.
  This creek is an important resource and an environmental treasure. My 
personal desire to see this watershed preserved goes back almost 30 
years. Eight years ago, the community of southern Chester County got 
together to help formulate a plan to preserve this watershed. The 
result of their hard work is a bill I have introduced, H.R. 3520, which 
adds the watershed to the Federal Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
  This designation will bring the resources that the Federal Government 
has to offer, without ceding local control. Townships and boroughs, 
which historically have controlled development, will retain the power 
they have always had. This designation will give us another tool to 
make sure that this important natural and historic resource is not lost 
to future generations.
  I urge this body to move quickly on H.R. 3520 so that it may become 
law before the end of the year.

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