THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY SWANGER, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CONKLIN, CREIGHTON, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, GINGRICH, HENNESSEY, W. KELLER, KORTZ, MILLARD, MURT, O'NEILL, PALLONE, RAPP, SEIP, K. SMITH, THOMAS AND VULAKOVICH, FEBRUARY 27, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 27, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Urging the United States Geological Survey to support the

application of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association to

officially change the name of the Swatara Creek to the

Swatara River.

WHEREAS, The dictionary defines a river as a body of water

that is fed by tributaries and empties into a larger body of

water; and

WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek meets this definition of a river;

and

WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek flows through four counties in the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Berks, Dauphin, Lebanon and

Schuylkill, and 46 municipalities, then empties into the

Susquehanna River and eventually into the Chesapeake Bay; and

WHEREAS, Seventy-one miles in length and covering more than

570 square miles of south-central Pennsylvania, the Swatara

Creek is fed by the Upper, Lower and Little Swatara Creeks as

well as the Quittapahilla, Manada, Boe and other creeks such as

Trout Run; and

WHEREAS, Previously, the 50-mile-long Conestoga Creek in the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was named the Conestoga River; and

WHEREAS, Other rivers in this Commonwealth are smaller than

the Swatara Creek; and

WHEREAS, Those rivers are tributaries to the Delaware River

and include:

(1)  the Lackawaxen River, which is approximately 25

miles long;

(2)  the West Branch, which is approximately 15 miles

long; and

(3)  the Christina River, which is approximately 35 miles

long;

and

WHEREAS, Since the 1700s, the Swatara Creek has been listed

as a navigable river on maps; and

WHEREAS, Still navigable by small craft, the Swatara Sojourn

is held annually on the Swatara Creek; and

WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek is a working river with several

water companies relying on withdrawal to service business,

industry and the citizens of the watershed; and

WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek is the lifeblood of many

communities and is integral to public health and safety; and

WHEREAS, Because of its name, the Swatara Creek may have been

overlooked on being named "River of the Year" for the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, In several instances, the Swatara Creek determines

several political boundaries, including:

(1)  between Jonestown Borough and Swatara and Union

Townships;

(2)  between East Hanover and North Annville and North

Londonderry Townships;

(3)  between East Hanover and Derry Townships;

(4)  between South Hanover and Swatara Townships and

Hummelstown Borough;

(5)  between Lower Swatara and Londonderry Township; and

(6)  between Middletown and Royalton Boroughs in Dauphin

County;

and

WHEREAS, As previously discussed at meetings, on January 17,

2008, an application was completed with the United States

Geological Survey to request a name change from the Swatara

Creek to the Swatara River; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the United States Geological

Survey to support the application of the Swatara Creek Watershed

Association to officially change the name of the Swatara Creek

to the Swatara River.