DRBC WILL NOT ACT ON DRAFT NATURAL GAS REGULATIONS AT SEPTEMBER 21 MEETING

WEST TRENTON, N.J. (Sept. 6) – Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that draft natural gas development regulations will not be on the September 21, 2011 meeting agenda for consideration by the commissioners.

The DRBC has scheduled a special meeting on October 21, 2011 to consider adoption of the regulations. This meeting, open to the public, will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, in Trenton, N.J.

The purpose of the proposed regulations is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the development and operation of natural gas projects. The commission received approximately 69,000 submissions on the draft natural gas development regulations that were originally published on December 9, 2010. Six public hearing sessions were held at three locations in February 2011 to receive oral testimony, and written comments were accepted until April 15, 2011, which was an extension from the original March 16 deadline. The commissioners and staff have been reviewing the submissions and considering how the draft rulemaking should be modified based on the public input. The October 21 meeting will not include a public hearing. 

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

Additional information can be found on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

The Upper Delaware River needs your support!

The Friends of the Upper Delaware River has one mission: To protect, preserve and enhance the ecosystem and cold-water fishery of the Upper Delaware River System and to address any environmental threats to our area for the benefit of local communities, residents and visitors to the region.

To help accomplish this goal we invite all our Facebook supporters to join us in making a small $35 contribution in an annual membership in Friends of the Upper Delaware River. It's easy and simple to help, just go to our website http://fudr.org and contribute by credit card or send a check to:

Friends of the Upper Delaware River
1645 Bump Road
East Branch, NY 13756

The Friends of the Upper Delaware River is hard at work benefiting the river's ecosystem, community and its wild trout population. Some highlights of our accomplishments include:

- Instrumental in getting the Delaware River included in the Great Waters Coalition.

- Recently received the Community Service Award from the Upper Delaware Council.

- FUDR is in the process of connecting Upper Delaware and lower basin issues, demonstrating our water today will be theirs tomorrow.

- Spearheaded formation of the ‘Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition’. Recent members include but are not limited to: Federation of Flyfishers, TU National, NYTU, NJTU, PATU, Theodore Gordon Fly Fishers, American Rivers, Upper Delaware Council, and FUDR.

- Have successfully kept the public and private sectors informed on Upper Delaware issues

- Have consistently advocated for a water release plan that actually works. In the last four years we have informed the public of the shortcomings and flaws of the flexible flow management program (FFMP).

- Placed a FUDR member, via congressional appointment, on the House Sub-committee on Ecological Flows.

- Identified and reported erroneous flow and temperature violations under the current FFMP.

- Developed and started work on a comprehensive stream restoration project of Sands and Cadosia creeks in Delaware County, N.Y., partnering with the Town of Hancock, Delaware County Department of Public Works, Code Blue, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Orvis and the Trout and Salmon Foundation.

- Organized and held the first meeting including all major stakeholders in the Upper Delaware System to discuss how to design a new water-release plan for the benefit of all. This had never been done before, and FUDR has taken the lead in this effort, which is supported by all groups in attendance. FUDR was able to show the group that there is more than enough water in the Delaware system, and that all downstream users could benefit from a better-managed release program without threatening the drinking water supply for NYC. The attendees voted unanimously against the current plan and vowed to help FUDR establish a new plan that will provide safety to residents along the river and to protect and enhance the habitat for all flora and fauna that call the Upper Delaware home.

- Formed partnerships with flood interest groups in our area to gain proper water releases during critical times of the year when (unnecessary) flooding is a threat.

- Established a legal team of experts to advise FUDR in our goals to protect the Upper Delaware watershed.

- Created the annual “One Bug™” event fundraiser that has helped form partnerships with organizations including the NFWF, Orvis, Patagonia, The Code Blue Foundation, The Keith Campbell Foundation, and other local foundations interested in protecting the Upper Delaware River system. The 2011 One Bug™ was bigger and better than ever, raising approximately $26,000 to help FUDR fund our projects. The event pumped as much as $50,000 into the local economy from purchases both by FUDR and contestants of goods at area businesses.

Additional accomplishments:

- FUDR gives back to the local community by supporting the Hancock Community Education Foundation, the Hancock Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry and the Lourdes Health Clinic. The group purchased uniforms for the Hancock/Deposit wrestling team. FUDR also made donations to support the families of two local boys who are suffering from leukemia.

- FUDR recently completed a stream restoration project on Oquaga Creek in the Village of Deposit. During a recent flood, erosion of Oquaga Creek threatened the local sewage treatment plant. FUDR partnered with the Village of Deposit and local Trout Unlimited chapters to make the necessary emergency repairs needed to protect the plant.

- FUDR has become a community leader in water-release issues, restoration projects, educating the public on unsafe drilling practices, and putting our area on the map as a healthy outdoor recreation destination.

The Upper Delaware River looks forward to having you as one of its Friends!