Bill · H.Res. 1444· House(119-HRES-1444)
Expressing support for maintaining the designation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
- Introduced
- 7/21/2026
- Last activity
- 7/21/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Thomas Kean
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses support for maintaining the current designation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The area spans nearly 70,000 acres across New Jersey and Pennsylvania and offers various recreational opportunities. The resolution opposes proposals to change the designation to a national park and preserve. It argues that such a change could limit recreational access and reduce cooperation with local communities. Finally, the House expresses its sense that the area should remain a national recreation area and that no funds should be used for redesignation.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+7
The bill preserves a management model that emphasizes cooperation with local municipalities to prevent resource strain.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+7
The resolution aims to prevent economic loss and infrastructure strain on surrounding local communities.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+6
The resolution opposes centralized federal management in favor of local community cooperation.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Maintaining Recreational Access: Keeping the current designation protects the freedom of visitors and local residents to enjoy activities like fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, camping, and canoeing (Whereas clause 2 and 5; Resolved clause 1 and 2).
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Community Cooperation: Maintaining the status quo preserves the longstanding cooperative relationship between Federal agencies and surrounding municipalities and gateway communities (Whereas clause s[4] and [5]; Resolved clause 3).
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Economic and Resource Stability: Keeping the current designation aims to prevent financial and economic losses to the surrounding area and avoid putting significant strain on local infrastructure and resources (Whereas clause [5]).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Recreational Freedom: If the area is redesignated as a national park and preserve, it could limit or prohibit access to certain recreational activities currently enjoyed by visitors and residents (Whereas clause [5][1]).
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Reduced Local Control: A redesignation could lead to more centralized Federal management, which would reduce the cooperative relationship currently held with surrounding municipalities and gateway communities (Whereas clause [5][2]).
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Infrastructure and Economic Strain: Changing the designation could cause significant strain on local infrastructure and resources, leading to economic losses in the surrounding area (Whereas clause [5][3]).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+7Improves Environmental Protections+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+6
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+5
- 7/21/2026
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey