Kanjorski Testifies on Behalf of Cherry Valley as Possible National Wildlife Refuge

WASHINGTON - Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) today testified at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans today in support of a study to evaluate Monroe County's Cherry Valley area for potential designation as a National Wildlife Refuge. This study would serve as the first step in the process of establishing a refuge.

Congressman Kanjorski introduced H.R. 5232, the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Study Act, which would authorize an evaluation of the fish and wildlife habitat in the southeastern area of Monroe County for possible inclusion in a national wildlife refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded that six endangered species live in Cherry Valley, and that the area is home to 80 species of regional or national concern. The proposed study would identify priority lands and waters for possible acquisition, assessment of the conservation benefits of a wildlife refuge, a federal cost estimate of acquiring the lands and waters, and an acquisition boundary that would not exceed 30,000 acres.

 "It is my hope that my colleagues on the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans will see the tremendous benefits of performing this study as the first step to preserving the pristine natural beauty of Cherry Valley. Because of the surge in population that Monroe County has experienced and will continue to see over the next few years, we must strive to strike a balance between open space and residential development. The idea of establishing a national wildlife refuge has already garnered enormous grassroots support in the local community, and I commend the residents of Monroe County for their vision," Congressman Kanjorski said. "Besides being an aesthetic attraction in Monroe County, Cherry Valley is also home to many rare plants and animals that deserve federal protection."

Stroud Township Supervisor Ed Cramer also testified in support of the study on Wednesday. Anne Fetherman, president of the grassroots group Friends of Cherry Valley, was present at the hearing. The creation of a national wildlife refuge at Cherry Valley has been endorsed by The Nature Conservancy, and the complete list of supporters is attached at the end of this release, along with Congressman Kanjorski's opening statement.

Congressman Kanjorski and Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) introduced the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Act in July 2005. Wildlife refuges can only be created though an Executive Order or through an Act of Congress, which requires approval by both the House of Representatives and Senate before being signed by the President.

Cherry Valley encompasses land in the Townships of Ross, Chestnuthill, Hamilton, Stroud, Smithfield and Delaware Water Gap Borough.

For further information about Cherry Valley, visit Congressman Kanjorski's Web site at .

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Greater Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Endorsements:

ENDORSEMENTS BY RESOLUTION:

Monroe County Commissioners, Chestnuthill Township Supervisors, Delaware Water Gap Borough Council, Hamilton Township Supervisors, Monroe County Conservation District Board of Directors, Pocono Builders Association, Ross Township Supervisors

Smithfield Township Supervisors, Stroud Township Supervisors, National Wildlife Federation

ENDORSEMENTS BY LETTER:

Alice's Travel (Alice Luongo, Owner); ACH Builders and Developers (Dan Henning, Owner); Brodhead Watershed Association (Charles Baughman, Executive Director); Camelback Ski Corporation (Samuel Newman, CEO); Cherry Valley Nursery (Jim & Patti Martin, Owners); Cherry Valley Trout Hatchery (Gary & Merrill Reddinger, Owners); Corporate Referrals, LLP (Yarrow Wilkins-Drozal, Owner); Eagle Rest Tree Plantation (A.M. Fetherman, Owner); Hamilton/ Jackson/ Pocono Townships Open Space Committee (Pam Finkbiner, Chair); Kirkridge Retreat & Study Center (Rev. Cynthia Crowner, Director); Mignosi's Great Valu Supermarket (Jack & Deborah Mignosi, Owners); Monroe County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (William Leonard, Jr., Secretary); Pocono Record (Editorial); Pocono Heritage Land Trust Board of Directors; Presbyterian Church of the Mountain (Rev. Karen Nickles); Sorrenti Cherry; Valley Vineyards (Mary Sorrenti, Owner); State Representative John Siptroth; State Representative Mario Scavello; State Senator Lisa Boscola; Stroudsmoor Country Inn (Andrew Forte, CEO); and Wilkins & Associates Real Estate

PETITIONS: More than 1,400 signatures

OPENING STATEMENT OF

CONGRESSMAN PAUL E. KANJORSKI

SUBCOMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND OCEANS

LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON H. R. 5232, Cherry Valley NATIONAL WILDLIFE Refuge Study Act

May 10, 2006

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            Thank you, Chairman Gilchrest and Ranking Member Pallone for convening this hearing.  I also appreciate the opportunity to join the subcommittee for this hearing and to offer my views on the bill I introduced, H.R. 5232, the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act.

            Located in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Cherry Valley provides habitat to more than 75 species of national or regional concern, including several plants and animals listed as either endangered or threatened.  These species include the bog turtle and the bald eagle.  Monroe County, however, is also one of the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania and this development now threatens or will soon encroach upon the habitat of these rare species.  

As a result, locally-driven efforts to protect these lands have gained momentum and now have widespread support within the local community.  Rarely in my term of office have I seen such overwhelming support for a legislative endeavor as I have seen for the designation of a national wildlife refuge in Cherry Valley.  

Designation of a national wildlife refuge has bipartisan support from elected officials including all three county commissioners, two state representatives and a state senator as well as supervisors from all of the townships located in the Cherry Valley area.  Moreover, Congressman Charlie Dent has joined me in sponsoring this legislation.  Congressman Dent represented parts of Cherry Valley when he served as a state senator.

Area business owners have also voiced their support for this effort.  In addition, the Pocono Builders Association, a building industry trade association in Monroe County, passed a resolution in support of designation of a Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge.  I would like to submit a full list of endorsements for designation of a wildlife refuge in Cherry Valley for the record.

A number of local landowners have already put their land into easements and other conservation arrangements.  In addition, as Stroud Township Supervisor Ed Cramer will testify later, voters have approved initiatives designed to provide the revenue needed for conservation purposes.  Designation of a national wildlife refuge would help to coordinate these efforts and provide federal support for conservation of this important habitat.

In order to determine the appropriate land for inclusion in a potential refuge, I introduced H.R. 5232, the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge Study Act.  The bill authorizes a study to be completed by the Fish and Wildlife Service to determine what lands are suitable for inclusion in a potential refuge.  The legislation does not authorize the creation of a national wildlife refuge.

It is my understanding that the Fish and Wildlife Service has concerns about this legislation, citing the burden that designation of a new refuge will have on the system.  However, I feel their concerns about this legislation are unfounded and premature.  The bill is intended to merely study areas for their potential for inclusion in a refuge, not to authorize the creation of another refuge.  In addition, the study is designed to provide Congress with the information needed to determine if the designation of a wildlife refuge in Cherry Valley is appropriate. 

            I look forward to hearing more from the Fish and Wildlife Service on this matter.  Moreover, I look forward to the testimony of my constituent, Ed Cramer, Stroud Township Supervisor.  Finally, I have submitted for the record a statement from William Kunze, director of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. 

In closing, Mr. Chairman, thank you again for the opportunity to express my initial thoughts on these matters, and I yield back the balance of my time.