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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 15, 2023 01:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative John A. Lawrence |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | COSPONSOR MEMO – Defining State Preserves in the Conservation and Natural Resources Act |
SUMMARY DCNR administers a number of parks, forests, and natural resources across the Commonwealth. In addition, they operate one (and only one) “preserve” – the White Clay Creek Preserve in Southern Chester County. The term “preserve” is undefined in state law. This legislation will define the term “preserve” in statute and provide DCNR with clear guidance in the administration of lands associated with a state “preserve.” DETAILS In 1984, DuPont donated several thousand acres spanning the Pennsylvania-Delaware border to the respective states with the stated goal of creating a wilderness preserve. Dupont had acquired the property with intent of damming the White Clay Creek to create a reservoir to provide water for the greater Newark, Delaware region. After an outpouring of opposition from residents of both states, along with a reengineering of Newark’s existing water infrastructure, the plans for dam were shelved and Dupont donated the ground to Pennsylvania and Delaware. A bistate committee was established to oversee and administer the newly created White Clay Creek Preserve, and for a number of years this unique committee administered the area for both states. Senate Resolution 140 of 1984 contemplated the bistate committee, but did not statutorily require it. DCNR eventually abandoned the committee and assumed direct responsibility for administration of the Pennsylvania section of the preserve. DCNR’s management has largely been in keeping with the original parameters established by the bistate committee. The preserve has been managed as a publicly accessible wilderness area with hiking trails, equine and bicycle trails, and limited hunting and agricultural activities. The WCC Preserve has become an important part of the area and its features are greatly valued by the community. The preserve is different from a state forest or a state park. Both state parks and state forests are described in the Conservation and Natural Resources Act, but state preserves are not. This legislation will add and define the term “preserve” in state law in keeping in the use and administration of the WCC Preserve since 1984, and directly establish DCNR’s authority. It will also establish that a former section of the White Clay Creek Preserve, recently redesignated as the “Big Elk Creek State Park,” will be administered in the same manner as the WCC preserve. Your support and cosponsorship of this proposal is welcome. SR 140 of 1984 https://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=1983&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=R&billNbr=0140&pn=2197 |
Introduced as HB1813