Marino's Route 209 Bill Passes Unanimously

Press Release

A bill that allows certain vehicles on Route 209 through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWG) for five years was passed unanimously in the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 24.

U.S. Rep. Tom Marino (PA-10) guided the bill through Congress.

"We are grateful of National Park Service officials for their patience while myself, local officials and community stakeholders negotiated a solution," he said in a statement. "

There was always agreement that Route 209 posed a unique dilemma to the traditional commercial vehicle ban within national parks. The best way to address that was to issue commercial traffic serving the DWG's surrounding communities an access permit administered by the National Park Service. This solution protects jobs, maintains access to the park and preserves the pristine nature of the DWG.

I greatly appreciate the support from my House colleagues, Chairman Rob Bishop, Members of the Committee on Natural Resources as well as Representative Cartwright in joining me to resolve this issue by passing this bill."

Source