Resolution No. 2022 - 07

RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION OF DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA TO A NATIONAL PARK AND/OR PRESERVE UNTIL ALL THE PROPER INFORMATION AND FORMAL PLAN IS PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC AND THE PROPER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT

WHEREAS, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA) was established September 1, 1965, one of 10 National Recreation Areas of the National Park Service, currently encompassing nearly 70,000 acres in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and is a protected area in the United States established by an Act of Congress to preserve enhanced recreational opportunities in places with significant natural and scenic resources; and

WHEREAS, the DEWA offers recreational opportunities such as hiking, walking, bicycling, fishing, hunting, swimming, camping, canoeing, boating, cross country skiing, bird watching, horseback riding, sightseeing, and special events; cultural resources, infrastructural facilities, national resources, and rare, threatened and endangered species of plants, fish, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians; and

WHEREAS, the proposal by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapters of the Sierra Clubs offer no insight or plan for the change in designation; namely the environmental, economic and agricultural impact to the DEWA and to the residents and local businesses of Delaware Township; and

WHEREAS, the proposal by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapters of the Sierra Clubs offer no information on possible changes to public lands, namely, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and State of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife lands as well as acquisition of private property; and WHEREAS, the proposal by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapters of the Sierra Clubs offer no information on the Plan to facilitate this change; the implementation of fee collection and location or collection stations; and how funding will be provided for this National Park; and

WHEREAS, the proposal by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapters of the Sierra Clubs offer no explanation on the location, size and parameters of the “Preserve” area, the activities allowed and disallowed; and

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Township of Delaware will not support the change in designation from Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to National Park and/ or Preserve unless and until a formal Plan is presented outlining all the benefits, as well as the impact such Plan will have on the environment, the economy, and the recreational activities in the recreational area;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Township of Delaware will oppose such a change in designation unless and until such time as the funding structures, specifically, the planning for the implementation of the collection of fees and the proposed implementation of fees for this new designated area are presented.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that there will be a requirement of a Map outlining the Park boundaries and the Preserve boundaries and specifically what activities will be allowed in both the Park and Preserve area.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township of Delaware will oppose the change in designation if and until there is a clear Plan outlining the projected impacts the proposal will have on Delaware Township residents, taxpayers, visitors, as well as the recreational impact on the Delaware Township residents.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township of Delaware requests once said formal Plan is presented the Public and Governmental Agencies shall have ample time to review, question and comment on the Plan prior to any action taken by the United States Legislature.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that only upon the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapters of the Sierra Club furnishing all the above information and any further information requested by the township, will the Township consider supporting or further opposing the Plan after review.

This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage by the Board of Supervisors.

The within Resolution was enacted on the 11th day of May, 2022, at the Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Delaware Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania.

John Henderson, Chairman/Secretary

Rick Koehler, Vice Chair

Jane Neufeld, Supervisor/Treasurer

ATTEST: Krista Predmore, Township Administrator

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