On Thursday, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved legislation Senator Coons authored to add approximately nine miles of White Clay Creek and its tributaries to the existing Wild and Scenic Rivers designation for the waterway.
The White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River Expansion Act of 2013 now awaits consideration by the full Senate, which passed this legislation with bipartisan support during the last Congress.
“Growing up, I spent considerable time in the White Clay Creek watershed and know that it is an important resource for Delaware and the region,” Chris said. “Years ago, my grandmother donated some of her land along the banks of White Clay Creek to help protect it. It is up to all of us to fight to protect our natural resources.”
The 69,000-acre White Clay Creek watershed is home to 33 species of mammals, 21 species of fish, 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 90 species of birds. White Clay Creek is also stocked with brown and rainbow trout, and is an important resource for fishermen. Protected land in the watershed also provides recreational opportunities for hikers, bikers, birders, hunters, and others. White Clay Creek and the Cockeysville aquifer that lies beneath portions of the watershed are important sources of drinking water for over 128,000 citizens in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
The Energy and Natural Resources also voted to pass the First State National Historical Park Act on Thursday. This bill, authored by Senator Tom Carper and strongly supported by Chris, will bring Delaware one step closer to its first national park.