Reps. Dean, Houlahan, and Fitzpatrick Introduce the Valley Forge Park Realignment Permit and Promise Act

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Valley Forge Park Realignment Permit and Promise Act to ease the development in Valley Forge National Historical Park. This straightforward, bipartisan bill would allow the Secretary of the Interior to permit the movement of a natural gas pipeline segment from its current position to under a new roadbed.

As part of a broader effort to enhance Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is working to realign and repave a road that runs through the Park's entrance. Part of the project involves moving the current utilities under the current roadbed to the new roadbed. Unfortunately, while the Park can permit the movement of other utilities like electric or broadband, they are barred by statute from permitting the movement of the segment of natural gas pipeline also under the current roadbed. Without federal intervention, the project could be further delayed, costing time and resources.

"The Valley Forge National Historical Park is a beautiful site for nature and history in our area. I'm glad to work with my colleagues, Congresswoman Houlahan and Congressman Fitzpatrick, to ensure that their improvements are not prevented or delayed because of a statute that Congress can address," Rep. Dean said. "Our bipartisan legislation will facilitate the park's development which will make it more accessible to our communities and visitors to our commonwealth.

"I'm proud to join my colleagues in leading this bipartisan effort to provide Valley Forge National Historic Park and the Department of the Interior with the authority needed to proceed forward with the Park's accessibility and development project. Valley Forge Park, nestled between Chester and Montgomery Counties, is treasured for its open spaces, serving thousands of visitors from Pennsylvania and across the United States. Unfortunately, without the necessary realignment permit, the Park's ongoing project will experience further delays and remain in limbo unless Congress acts. This bill is necessary to continue making progress and move past this roadblock, so that visitors may enjoy the benefits of the Park's development project upon its completion," Rep. Houlahan said.

Specifically, the areas of pipeline permitted to be moved include the stretch starting at the intersection of North Gulph Road with Richards Road and the point on Valley Forge Park Road located 500 feet northwest of its intersection with County Line Road.

This bill does not allow for the expansion, upgrade, or improvement of the covered pipeline segment; it only allows for the covered segment to be moved to its new location.

Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.

Source