Expanding our protection of White Clay Creek
Today, Senator Coons introduced legislation to designate nine additional miles of White Clay Creek in Delaware and Pennsylvania as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Delaware’s senior Senator, Tom Carper, and Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey, Jr., joined as original cosponsors of the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act to ensure that more of this beautiful natural resource cherished by communities in both states is protected. The bill was also introduced today in the House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania’s sixteenth district and Delaware’s Congressman John Carney.
In 1968, Congress passed the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect the free-flowing condition of rivers with outstanding scenic, recreational, natural, historic, and cultural values. Since that time, Congress has designated 165 river segments comprising 11,409 river miles as wild and scenic. These rivers must be preserved in their free-flowing state and cannot be impeded by dams or any other form of development.
Congress designated the majority of White Clay Creek and its tributaries as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 2000. Then-Senator Joe Biden was the lead sponsor for the legislation that made this designation in the Senate, and former Delaware Congressman Mike Castle was the lead sponsor for the version passed by the House of Representatives. An expansion of this designation to the remainder of White Clay Creek was initially proposed by Chris’s predecessor, former Senator Ted Kaufman.
Chris’ bill would expand the original White Clay Creek designation to include a 1.6-mile stretch of Lamborn Run in Delaware and 7.4-miles of stream in Pennsylvania’s New Garden Township. These additions would increase the total number of protected miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries to 199 and provide more comprehensive protection for the White Clay Creek watershed, which is an important resource for both Delaware and Pennsylvania.
White Clay Creek is unique within the Wild and Scenic Rivers System because it was the first designation to include an entire watershed rather than individual river segments. This approach takes into account the many factors that influence a river beyond its banks. Nearly 100,000 people reside within the 107 square mile watershed in New Castle and Chester Counties, and this watershed-wide approach is an innovative way of protecting the integrity of White Clay Creek. Additionally, the management of White Clay Creek is distinctive because it involves a partnership between the National Parks Service, state and local governments, businesses, universities, and other groups.
The White Clay Creek watershed is home to 33 species of mammals, 21 species of fish, twenty-seven species of reptiles and amphibians, and over ninety species of birds. The creek is also stocked with brown and rainbow trout and is an important resource for fishing. Protected land in the watershed also provides recreational opportunities for hikers, cyclists, birders, and hunters. White Clay Creek and the Cockeysville aquifer that lies beneath portions of the watershed are an important source of drinking water for over 128,000 residents in both states.
Growing up, Chris spent a lot of time in the White Clay Creek watershed and understands its importance for nearby communities. Years ago, his grandmother donated some of her land along the banks of White Clay Creek to help preserve it. Chris is proud to take the lead on this important legislation that further protects White Clay Creek and its tributaries in a way that does require spending a single dollar from the taxpayers.
The White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, of which Chris is a member. We hope it will be quickly approved by the Committee and advance to consideration by the full Senate.