[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 151 (Tuesday, November 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H10171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   ALLOWING USE OF CERTAIN ROADS WITHIN DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL 
                            RECREATION AREA

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3721) to amend the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management 
Act of 1996 to allow certain commercial vehicles to continue to use 
Route 209 within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and to 
allow the National Park Service to continue to collect fees from those 
vehicles, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3721

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. USE OF CERTAIN ROADS WITHIN DELAWARE WATER GAP.

       Section 702 of Division I of the Omnibus Parks and Public 
     Lands Management Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-333; 110 Stat. 
     4185) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``2005'' and inserting ``2015, or whenever 
     a feasible alternative exists, whichever comes first,'' each 
     place it appears; and
       (2) by amending the last sentence in subsection (c)(2) to 
     read as follows: ``Such fee shall be set to fully cover the 
     cost of operation of the road, but not to exceed $40 per 
     trip.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands 
(Mrs. Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 3721, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Sherwood) and amended by the Resources Committee, would amend the 
Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996 to continue to 
permit certain commercial vehicles to utilize Route 209 within the 
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania as well as 
allow the National Park Service to continue to collect fees from these 
vehicles.
  Since 1996, this route has become an increasingly important north-
south artery connecting the two northeast Pennsylvania towns of Milford 
and Stroudsburg. While an alternate routes does exist outside the 
Recreation Area, the fact is that the route transverses a much more 
mountainous region and thus takes more time and is more dangerous, 
especially during the winter months. I urge adoption of the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the majority has again already explained the purpose of 
H.R. 3721, which deals with truck traffic on a park road within the 
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Congress has dealt 
with this issue on three different occasions in the past. It is our 
hope that this will be the last time we will need to address this 
subject.
  Mr. Speaker, we have no objection to its adoption as amended by the 
House today.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).
  Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking Member 
Rahall for working with me to get H.R. 3721 on the suspension calendar 
and considered in an expeditious fashion.
  At the request of the National Park Service, I introduced H.R. 3721 
which would extend for 10 years the current authority for commercial 
vehicle traffic through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 
along Route 209. All bordering counties and boroughs are supportive of 
the bill.
  In supporting the bill, the National Park Service cites the 
continuing need for commercial vehicle traffic to travel through the 
park in a manner that protects park resources and visitors while also 
providing the Water Gap Recreational Area the financial means for 
monitoring and enforcement of commercial use restrictions.
  The bill is needed to continue a program that has worked for the Park 
Service and the community surrounding the Water Gap National Recreation 
Area for over 20 years. The fee collection system resolved the 
potential problems raised when the 21-mile segment of U.S. Route 209 
was transferred to Park Service control. The system allows limited 
commercial vehicle access, and the tolls allow the Park Service to 
monitor the road without using regular operation and maintenance 
budgets.
  Authorization for the program was done in 10-year increments. The 
most recent 10-year increment authorization expired September 30. My 
bill would extend the authorization to September 30, 2015.
  The current program has been in operation since 1983 and was largely 
successful until it started running a deficit. The main problem with 
the existing program is the lack of the ability for the park to adjust 
the fee schedule to cover the expense of operating the contact 
stations. This problem is resolved by authorizing the park 
superintendent to adjust fees as necessary to cover operating costs.
  A reduction or elimination of commercial traffic is not feasible at 
this time as the commercial traffic continues to serve local businesses 
immediately adjacent to the park and concessionaires within the park 
and is necessary for continued business operation within the area for 
another decade.
  The management of U.S. Route 209, in accordance with this 
legislation, meets the goals of the park and is supported by the 
experience of the park, public sentiment, and economic analysis. On 
behalf of the National Park Service, I ask for your support for this 
legislation.
  Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Colorado (Mrs. Musgrave) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3721, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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