PRINTER'S NO. 1798
No. 137 Session of 1995
INTRODUCED BY HALUSKA, REBER, GODSHALL, MICHLOVIC, DeWEESE,
READSHAW, FICHTER, LYNCH, BAKER, OLASZ, M. N. WRIGHT, MERRY,
ARGALL, RUBLEY, STABACK, BELARDI, COY, CARONE, VAN HORNE,
L. I. COHEN, GEIST, SHANER, MELIO, WALKO, CAPPABIANCA, ITKIN,
HORSEY, JAROLIN, TRELLO, YEWCIC, HERMAN, DeLUCA, MIHALICH,
JOSEPHS AND STERN, MAY 3, 1995
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, MAY 3, 1995
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Tourism and Recreational Development Committee and
2 the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee jointly to
3 study, evaluate and make recommendations regarding the
4 establishment of overnight facilities and associated
5 amenities on Commonwealth-owned lands.
6 WHEREAS, Tourism is this Commonwealth's number two industry,
7 employing over 300,000 people and generating over $17 billion in
8 direct and indirect traveler spending; and
9 WHEREAS, A large percentage of this job creation and
10 traveler spending has been centered in urban and suburban
11 regions of this Commonwealth to the exclusion of rural
12 communities, many of which possess abundant natural resources,
13 including game lands, forest lands and State parks; and
14 WHEREAS, Thirty-seven million travelers visit this
15 Commonwealth's State parks annually, providing the potential for
16 significant job creation and millions of dollars in new rural
17 spending; and
1 WHEREAS, Many of our rural communities are unable to benefit
2 significantly from these Commonwealth-owned properties due to a
3 lack of lodging and other facilities necessary for overnight
4 stays; and
5 WHEREAS, As a direct result of this lack of infrastructure,
6 95% of the visitors to Pennsylvania's State parks are day
7 trippers, a fact which significantly lessens the economic impact
8 that these travelers have on local economies; and
9 WHEREAS, Studies have indicated that a large percentage of
10 park visitors would stay overnight if provided the opportunity;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, This is especially true of senior citizens,
13 individuals who are disabled, urban residents and working
14 couples; and
15 WHEREAS, Many of our bordering states and the Federal
16 Government have recognized the potential for economic
17 development and job creation by creating such facilities and
18 have permitted limited development of certain state and national
19 parks; and
20 WHEREAS, Extended-stay facilities would afford visitors a
21 special opportunity to learn about the historical and ecological
22 development of this Commonwealth, to study the rare and
23 endangered species unique to the area and to study the impact of
24 human activities on the diverse environments and ecosystems of
25 this Commonwealth; and
26 WHEREAS, Many of the current visitors to the State parks and
27 forests are not camping or tenting enthusiasts; and
28 WHEREAS, These visitors could be afforded the opportunity to
29 participate in natural outdoor activities; and
30 WHEREAS, Other states have found that these facilities can
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1 be provided in harmony with the recreational, educational and
2 environmental preservation missions of government while
3 affording the opportunity for reasonable and responsible tourism
4 development without degradation of the state's unique natural
5 resources; therefore be it
6 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
7 Tourism and Recreational Development Committee and the
8 Environmental Resources and Energy Committee jointly to study,
9 evaluate and make recommendations regarding the establishment of
10 overnight facilities and associated amenities on Commonwealth-
11 owned lands and the impact of the same on tourism, the economy
12 and the environment; and be it further
13 RESOLVED, That the committees may conduct studies, hold
14 hearings and take testimony at such places, within and without
15 this Commonwealth, as the committees deem necessary. Each member
16 of the committees shall have power to administer oaths and
17 affirmations to witnesses appearing before the committees; and
18 be it further
19 RESOLVED, That the expenses incurred by the committees in
20 carrying out their responsibilities, including, but not limited
21 to, per diem and travel expenses incurred by the members and
22 regular staff, stenographic charges and other incidental
23 expenses, be paid from appropriate accounts under control of the
24 Chief Clerk; and be it further
25 RESOLVED, That the Tourism and Recreational Development
26 Committee and the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee
27 shall make a joint report to the House of Representatives on
28 their activities, findings and recommendations on or before
29 October 1, 1996, and shall issue interim reports to the House of
30 Representatives as the committees may deem necessary.
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