Bill Text: PA HR100 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Urging the United States Geological Survey to support the application of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association to officially change the name of the Swatara Creek to the Swatara River.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-17 - Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY [HR100 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR100-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 694
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 100 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY SWANGER, BEYER, CALTAGIRONE, CONKLIN, CREIGHTON, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, GINGRICH, HENNESSEY, W. KELLER, KORTZ, MILLARD, MURT, O'NEILL, PALLONE, RAPP, SEIP, K. SMITH, THOMAS AND VULAKOVICH, FEBRUARY 27, 2009
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, FEBRUARY 27, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Urging the United States Geological Survey to support the
application of the Swatara Creek Watershed Association to
officially change the name of the Swatara Creek to the
Swatara River.
WHEREAS, The dictionary defines a river as a body of water
that is fed by tributaries and empties into a larger body of
water; and
WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek meets this definition of a river;
and
WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek flows through four counties in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Berks, Dauphin, Lebanon and
Schuylkill, and 46 municipalities, then empties into the
Susquehanna River and eventually into the Chesapeake Bay; and
WHEREAS, Seventy-one miles in length and covering more than
570 square miles of south-central Pennsylvania, the Swatara
Creek is fed by the Upper, Lower and Little Swatara Creeks as
well as the Quittapahilla, Manada, Boe and other creeks such as
Trout Run; and
WHEREAS, Previously, the 50-mile-long Conestoga Creek in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was named the Conestoga River; and
WHEREAS, Other rivers in this Commonwealth are smaller than
the Swatara Creek; and
WHEREAS, Those rivers are tributaries to the Delaware River
and include:
(1) the Lackawaxen River, which is approximately 25
miles long;
(2) the West Branch, which is approximately 15 miles
long; and
(3) the Christina River, which is approximately 35 miles
long;
and
WHEREAS, Since the 1700s, the Swatara Creek has been listed
as a navigable river on maps; and
WHEREAS, Still navigable by small craft, the Swatara Sojourn
is held annually on the Swatara Creek; and
WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek is a working river with several
water companies relying on withdrawal to service business,
industry and the citizens of the watershed; and
WHEREAS, The Swatara Creek is the lifeblood of many
communities and is integral to public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, Because of its name, the Swatara Creek may have been
overlooked on being named "River of the Year" for the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, In several instances, the Swatara Creek determines
several political boundaries, including:
(1) between Jonestown Borough and Swatara and Union
Townships;
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(2) between East Hanover and North Annville and North
Londonderry Townships;
(3) between East Hanover and Derry Townships;
(4) between South Hanover and Swatara Townships and
Hummelstown Borough;
(5) between Lower Swatara and Londonderry Township; and
(6) between Middletown and Royalton Boroughs in Dauphin
County;
and
WHEREAS, As previously discussed at meetings, on January 17,
2008, an application was completed with the United States
Geological Survey to request a name change from the Swatara
Creek to the Swatara River; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the United States Geological
Survey to support the application of the Swatara Creek Watershed
Association to officially change the name of the Swatara Creek
to the Swatara River.
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