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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation AreaThe proposed Tocks Island Dam (never built)
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Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The Park's Enabling Legislation

A national park's enabling legislation is the Act of the United States Congress that creates the park and authorizes actions to set the park up. This 1965 legislation refers to Tocks Island Dam and Reservoir, a project later de-authorized by Congress.

For context and a timeline, please link to A Brief History of the Park
Entire text of Public Law 89-158 (pdf file - 3 printed pages)

 

Public Law 89-158
89th Congress H.R. 89
September 1, 1965

An Act
To authorize establishment of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area,
  and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in order to further the purposes of the joint resolution approved September 27, 1961 (re Delaware River Basin compact; 75 Stat. 688), and to provide in a manner coordinated with the other purposes of the Tocks Island Reservoir project, for public outdoor recreation use and enjoyment of the proposed Tocks Island Reservoir and lands adjacent thereto by the people of the United States and for preservation of the scenic, scientific and historic features contributing to public enjoyment of such lands and waters, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized, as herein pro vided, to establish and administer the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, hereinafter referred to as the "area", as part of the Tocks Island Reservoir project, hereinafter referred to as "the project".

...

   Approved September 1, 1965.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY;
HOUSE REPORT No. 360 (Comm. on Interior & Insular Affairs).
SENATE REPORT No. 598 (Comm. on Interior & Insular Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 1ll (1965):
     July 12: Considered and passed House.
     Aug. 13; Considered and passed Senate, amended.
     Aug. 17: House concurred in Senate amendment.

A colorful handful of round boy scout patches.  

Did You Know?
... that Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area includes lands which once belonged to 5 New Jersey boy scout camps. Private and religious camps also flourished along the riverbanks that are now part of the park at sites such as Turn Farm PA, Coppermine Inn NJ, and Coppermine Hiking Area NJ.
more...

Last Updated: February 01, 2007 at 13:52 EST