PRINTER'S NO. 816

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No. 725 Session of 1977

        INTRODUCED BY J. L. WRIGHT JR., BURNS, SCHEAFFER, PITTS,
           KLINGAMAN, LEVI, E. Z. TAYLOR, MADIGAN, SALVATORE, HELFRICK,
           ZEARFOSS, STAIRS, ARMSTRONG, HALVERSON, SPENCER, KNEPPER,
           LEHR, MACKOWSKI, DORR, ANDERSON, MEBUS, PARKER, McCLATCHY,
           O'CONNELL, MANMILLER, SIRIANNI, W. D. HUTCHINSON, LYNCH,
           VROON, E. H. SMITH, BURD AND BRANDT, MARCH 28, 1977

        REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CONSERVATION, MARCH 28, 1977

                                     AN ACT

     1  Authorizing drilling for gas and oil in Lake Erie.

     2     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     3  hereby enacts as follows:
     4  Section 1.  Drilling permitted in Lake Erie.
     5     It shall be lawful to drill in Lake Erie for the purpose of
     6  producing and utilizing the natural oil and gas resources
     7  therein.
     8  Section 2.  Limitations.
     9     (a)  Legal restrictions.--Development, production and
    10  utilization of the natural oil and gas resources shall be
    11  subject to all applicable state laws concerning oil and gas
    12  production and the safeguard of the environment.
    13     (b)  Use restricted.--All oil and gas produced in Lake Erie,
    14  subject to Commonwealth jurisdiction, shall be used only within
    15  the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

     1  Section 3.  Royalties on oil and gas produced.
     2     (a)  General rule.--All royalties due the Commonwealth for
     3  oil and gas produced in Lake Erie shall be collected by the
     4  Department of Revenue and deposited in the "Lake Erie
     5  Development Fund."
     6     (b)  Use of "Lake Erie Development Fund" limited.--All funds
     7  deposited in the "Lake Erie Development Fund" shall be used
     8  solely for the collection and administration of the fund; the
     9  maintenance, development, and operation of Presque Isle State
    10  Park; and the maintenance, development and operation of the Port
    11  of Erie.
    12     (c)  Legislative appropriation.--Funds expended from the
    13  "Lake Erie Development Fund" shall be appropriated on an annual
    14  basis by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of
    15  Pennsylvania.
    16  Section 4.  Effective date.
    17     This act shall take effect immediately.









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