[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 23356-23357]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING AUTHORIZATION OF DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 
                      CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of the 
bill (H.R. 7017) to amend Public Law 100-573 to extend the 
authorization of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 
Citizen Advisory Commission, and ask for its immediate consideration in 
the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from West Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7017

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENDED AUTHORIZATION OF DELAWARE WATER GAP 
                   NATIONAL RECREATION AREA CITIZEN ADVISORY 
                   COMMISSION.

       Section 5 of Public Law 100-573 (16 U.S.C. 460o note) is 
     amended to read as follows:

[[Page 23357]]



     ``SEC. 5. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.

       ``The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 1 year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.''.

                    Amendment Offered by Mr. Rahall

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment offered by Mr. Rahall:
       On page 2, line 3, strike ``1 year'' and insert ``21 
     years''.

  Mr. RAHALL (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that the amendment be considered as read and printed in the 
Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from West Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  Mr. GARRETT. Madam Speaker, I am pleased that the House recently 
considered and unanimously consented to the passage of H.R. 7017, a 
bill to reauthorize the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 
(DWGNRA) Citizens Advisory Commission (CAC) for an additional year. 
Both Representative Carney and I believe that this citizen action group 
serves as an important liaison between National Park Service Officials 
and park neighbors.
  Communication is the key to addressing and resolving citizen 
concerns, and it is clear that residents and park users value the 
opportunity to respond to DWGNRA decisions and propose alternative 
ideas. I was proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation and I 
believe it will improve the communication process between park 
officials and the local community. The citizens of New Jersey should be 
confident in the ability of the Federal Government to hear and address 
their suggestions.
  The Delaware Water Gap region has a turbulent history, one marked by 
improper government interference and Federal invasion of the rights of 
property owners. Realizing this, my predecessor, Representative Marge 
Roukama, authored legislation establishing a Citizen's Advisory 
Commission (CAC) in 1988. The CAC was reauthorized for an additional 
decade in 1998 and has served as a forum for the public to interact 
with park officials.
  Due to the combined efforts of various Commission members and park 
officials, the Delaware Water Gap NRA has increased in popularity and 
sees millions of visitors each year. These visitors enjoy the beauty of 
the scenery and the opportunity to participate in activities like 
hiking, canoeing, and swimming. I am confident that the CAC will 
continue to play a valuable role in preserving the splendor of the 
Delaware Water Gap for future generations.
  The ability of local residents to communicate with Federal agencies 
has been one of my main focuses and I call upon the Senate to follow 
the House's example and pass this important legislation.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.

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