House Passes Garrett-Carney Legislation
Press Release
Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Scott Garrett (R- NJ) and Christopher Carney (PA-10) succeeded in passing a bill that would preserve a citizen action group designed to serve as a liaison between National Park Service officials and park neighbors and visitors. The Garrett-Carney bill, H.R. 7017, passed the House floor by unanimous consent. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DWGNRA) Citizens Advisory Commission (CAC) for an additional year.
In response to this victory, Rep. Garrett stated:
"Many of my constituents have asked me to extend the CAC and I was pleased to join Rep. Carney in introducing legislation to reauthorize this commission. Communication is the key to addressing and resolving citizen concerns, and it is clear that residents and park users value the opportunity to respond to DWGNRA decisions and propose alternative ideas. The citizens of New Jersey should be confident in the ability of the federal government to hear and address their suggestions. Improving the ability of local residents to communicate with federal agencies has been one of my main focuses and I will continue to work with various Senators to ensure that this legislation passes before the CAC expires in October."
Rep. Carney stated:
"My constituents have expressed to me their overwhelming support of reauthorizing the DWGNRA Citizens Advisory Commission. I firmly believe that citizen participation in government is the best way to have good government. Thanks to the dedicated members of the Commission over the last two decades, the millions of visitors to the National Recreation Area each year have a greater appreciation of the beautiful natural resource. This one-year reauthorization is just a start and that we are already working on a more comprehensive reauthorization bill that we plan to introduce early in the 111th Congress."
The Delaware Water Gap area has an unfortunate history, one marked by improper government interference and federal invasion of the rights of property owners. In 1988, Rep. Garrett's predecessor, Rep. Marge Roukama, authored legislation establishing a Citizen's Advisory Commission (CAC) to provide a forum for the public to interact with park officials. The CAC was reauthorized for an additional decade in 1998.
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