PRINTER'S NO. 2438
No. 188 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY BOYES, DOMBROWSKI, CAPPABIANCA, SCRIMENTI, MERRY,
ROBBINS AND FARGO, SEPTEMBER 26, 1989
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, SEPTEMBER 26, 1989
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control
2 and Conservation Committee to conduct a full and complete
3 investigation into the cause of the excessive bacteria counts
4 at Presque Isle State Park.
5 WHEREAS, High bacteria counts from Lake Erie have forced the
6 closing of the beaches at Presque Isle State Park on a record
7 number of occasions during the summer of 1989, as well as in
8 prior years; and
9 WHEREAS, Presque Isle State Park contains unique
10 characteristics which qualify it as a site of special ecological
11 interest and importance; and
12 WHEREAS, Presque Isle State Park has been an important source
13 of recreational pleasure for many Erie County and other
14 Commonwealth residents; and
15 WHEREAS, Presque Isle State Park has made a valuable
16 contribution to the Erie and the Commonwealth economy because of
17 its national standing as a major tourist attraction; and
18 WHEREAS, Presque Isle State Park is an important component of
1 the Commonwealth park system, which ranks No. 1 in attendance
2 among all state parks; and
3 WHEREAS, The Department of Environmental Resources and the
4 Erie County Health Department have yet to identify the source of
5 this bacterial contamination; and
6 WHEREAS, A continuing failure to diagnose and to correct the
7 problems causing the excessive bacteria counts could have a
8 harmful environmental impact on the ecology of Presque Isle
9 State Park, could adversely affect the health of persons who
10 utilize park water, could result in many additional beach
11 closings and could lead to substantial, if not drastic, declines
12 in park attendance with adverse economic and recreational
13 consequences for the Erie area and for the Commonwealth of
14 Pennsylvania; therefore be it
15 RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
16 direct the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and
17 Conservation Committee to conduct a full and complete
18 investigation into the cause of the excessive bacteria counts at
19 Presque Isle State Park; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, That the committee hold hearings, including not
21 less than one public hearing in Erie County, take testimony and
22 make its investigations and studies at such places as it deems
23 necessary. Each member of the committee shall have power to
24 administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before
25 the committee; and be it further
26 RESOLVED, That the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution
27 Control and Conservation Committee report its findings to the
28 General Assembly, together with its recommendations for remedial
29 legislation and other appropriate action, as soon as possible.
I11L82CHF/19890H0188R2438 - 2 -