Bill Text: NJ SR99 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges US Secretary of Interior to designate Rancocas Creek as National Water Trail.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-10-29 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR99 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-SR99-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator TROY SINGLETON
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Urges US Secretary of Interior to designate Rancocas Creek as National Water Trail.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution urging the United States Secretary of the Interior to designate Rancocas Creek as a National Water Trail.
Whereas, Rancocas Creek is a tributary of the Delaware River in southwestern New Jersey; and
Whereas, Rancocas Creek has two main branches in the Pinelands National Reserve, the north branch which is in northern Burlington County and the south branch which is in central Burlington County; and
Whereas, Rancocas Creek is one of the most prominent and important waterways in Burlington County; and
Whereas, The creek supported Native Americans and European settlers for centuries by providing a means of transportation, commerce, industry, and recreation; and
Whereas, Today, the creek can be classified as a water trail as it provides both conservation and recreational opportunities; and
Whereas, The creek affords many people the opportunity to enjoy natural settings, recreational water access, picnic facilities, and play areas; and
Whereas, Residents of New Jersey and visitors can enjoy the 14-mile Rancocas Creek Canoe Trail, the Pemberton Campus at Rowan College at Burlington County, Historic Smithville Park, and Mill Dam Park; and
Whereas, Furthermore, the preservation and restoration work at Historic Smithville Park will provide visitors with a historic look into the Industrial Revolution, and the Historic Prison Museum, a National Historic Landmark, tells an intriguing story of early American architecture and prison life; and
Whereas, The creek is home to a variety of wildlife including painted and box turtles, white-tailed deer, beavers, herons, kingfishers, wood ducks, mallards, and Canada geese; and
Whereas, Rancocas Pathways, a tax exempt nonprofit organization, is the designated project manager for the planning and submission of Rancocas Creek for designation as a National Water Trail in the National Water Trails System, and will also be responsible for managing the implementation of sustainable activities associated with the newly designated water trail; and
Whereas, Rancocas Pathways is dedicated to improving the environmental quality of the creek for both residents and visitors who wish to enjoy the creek's natural beauty or recreational activities; and
Whereas, Rancocas Pathways members collaborate with State and local agencies and private organizations to monitor and maintain water quality and to identify sources of pollution and regularly clean up the creek by removing fallen leaves that obstruct the waterway and by collecting trash; and
Whereas, Rancocas Pathways promotes recreation, assists Burlington County in coordinating events, and facilitates numerous community forums to highlight issues and address concerns regarding the creek; and
Whereas, The creek provides opportunities for communities to develop and implement strategies that enhance and restore the health of the local waterways and surrounding lands; and
Whereas, The Rancocas State Park Bluetrail provides a linkage, or "bridge," to enhanced public access between the Rancocas Blueway and the Rancocas Greenway for the purpose of sustaining preservation efforts within the Rancocas Creek Watershed; and
Whereas, The National Water Trails System (NWTS) is a distinctive national network of exemplary water trails that are cooperatively supported and sustained through federal, state, local, and nonprofit entities; and
Whereas, The NWTS was established to protect and restore America's rivers, shorelines, and waterways, and conserve natural areas along waterways and increase access to outdoor recreation on shorelines and waterways; and
Whereas, In order to receive a NWTS designation, a water trail must meet certain criteria and incorporate NWTS best management practices; and
Whereas, Rancocas Creek, through the efforts of Rancocas Pathways, meets the NWTS criteria and incorporates NWTS best management practices, such as providing public information, recreation, conservation, trail maintenance, and community support; and
Whereas, The New Jersey State Park Service endorses the designation of the Rancocas Creek as the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail and the United States Secretary of the Interior is considering designating the creek as a National Water Trail; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper to designate Rancocas Creek as a part of the NWTS; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the United States Secretary of the Interior to designate Rancocas Creek as a National Water Trail.
2. Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary
of the Senate to the United States Department of the Interior, the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the
United States House of Representatives, the Majority and Minority Leaders of
the United States Senate, each member of Congress elected from this State,
the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Burlington County, and Rancocas Pathways.
STATEMENT
This bill urges the United States Secretary of the Interior to designate Rancocas Creek as a National Water Trail. Rancocas Creek is a tributary of the Delaware River in southwestern New Jersey. Rancocas Creek has two main branches in the Pinelands National Reserve, the north branch which is in northern Burlington County and the south branch which is in central Burlington County. Rancocas Creek is one of the most prominent and important waterways in Burlington County. The creek supported Native Americans and European settlers for centuries by providing a means of transportation, commerce, industry, and recreation. Today, the creek can be classified as a water trail as it provides both conservation and recreational opportunities.
The creek affords many people the opportunity to enjoy natural settings, recreational water access, picnic facilities, and play areas and the creek is home to a variety of wildlife including painted and box turtles, white-tailed deer, beavers, herons, kingfishers, wood ducks, mallards, and Canada geese.
The Rancocas Creek Association (RCA) is a residents' organization originally formed in the 1930s by families from Camden, Philadelphia, and other surrounding towns along or near the creek. RCA is dedicated to improving the environmental quality of the creek for both residents and visitors who wish to enjoy the creek's natural beauty or recreational activities. RCA members collaborate with State and local agencies and private organizations to monitor and maintain water quality and to identify sources of pollution and regularly clean up the creek by removing fallen leaves that obstruct the waterway and by collecting trash.
The creek provides opportunities for communities to develop and implement strategies that enhance and restore the health of the local waterways and surrounding lands. For example, the Smithville Canal has become a stagnant, mosquito-breeding area which is both an eyesore and health hazard, and the RCA is working with the Burlington County Division of Mosquito Control to promote the clearing and restoration of the Smithville Canal.
The National Water Trails System (NWTS) is a distinctive national network of exemplary water trails that are cooperatively supported and sustained through federal, state, local, and nonprofit entities. The NWTS was established to protect and restore America's rivers, shorelines, and waterways, and conserve natural areas along waterways and increase access to outdoor recreation on shorelines and waterways. In order to receive a NWTS designation, a water trail must meet certain criteria and incorporate NWTS best management practices. Rancocas Creek, through the efforts of the RCA, meets the NWTS criteria and incorporates NWTS best management practices, such as providing public information, recreation, conservation, trail maintenance, and community support. The New Jersey State Park Service endorses the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail and the United States Secretary of the Interior is considering designating the creek as a National Water Trail.
