Washington | August 10, 2010 - Delaware Congressman Mike Castle joined with Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) to introduce the White Clay Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act (H.R. 5813), a bill to protect additional waterways in the White Clay Creek watershed spanning Pennsylvania and Delaware.  The bill expands the National Wild and Scenic River designation first established in 2000.  The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System preserves certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational value.  White Clay Creek was the first designation to encompass an entire watershed rather than a single waterway.

"I am pleased to be working with Rep. Pitts on this initiative to protect additional waterways in the White Clay Creek watershed," said Rep. Castle. "I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to pass this legislation to better protect the significant historical and wildlife resources found at White Clay Creek."

In addition, in February Rep. Castle introduced legislation in the House, the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (H.R.4698), to further coordinate conservation efforts in the Delaware River Basin, which includes portions of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Background
The White Clay Creek watershed has significant historical and wildlife resources. Thirty-eight sites along the creek are designated on the National Register of Historic Places.  The waterways are home to 33 species of small mammals, 21 species of fish, 27 species of reptiles and amphibians and 90 species of birds.  The creek is also a major trout fishing stream with both rainbow and brown trout.

The additional sections protected in the new bill include 7.4 stream miles in Pennsylvania and 1.6 miles in Delaware.  With these additions, nearly 200 miles of streams in the watershed would be protected.

More information about White Clay Creek is available at www.whiteclay.org.