Upper Delaware River

New Park Planned on the West Branch of the Delaware

2012-01-20T14:08:00.000-08:00

By Dan Plummer

One good turn leads to another. That’s the nice life lesson I’ve learned from a recent incident involving our rivers. Please allow me to tell you the story.

I serve as board chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR), a non-profit organization that looks after the welfare of the river system. A little more than a year ago, I got a call from John O’Connor, mayor of Deposit, N.Y. He was looking for a little help.

The Oquaga Creek needed some bank stabilization work just upstream of where it dumps into the West Branch of the Delaware River. He knew that our organization has donated money and workers to various efforts to preserve and protect local streams and rivers. Mayor O’Connor asked whether FUDR was able to do anything to help with the Oquaga issue. He told me that the problem spot was often used by fishermen to launch boats.

I met there with O’Connor and Jim Serio, another local conservationist and river guide who had helped connect me to the Mayor. Standing at the West Branch-Oquaga junction, we immediately saw that there was a larger problem. The bank was indeed in need of repair, but the boat launch issue quickly became a secondary concern.

The section of Oquaga Creek that was eroding was only yards away from the Deposit sewage treatment plant, which seemed imperiled by potentially devastating flooding if the bank erosion were allowed to worsen. I laughingly told the mayor that maybe we should worry about the boat launch after we were certain that the plant was not going to fill the West Branch with sewage, or words to that effect.

With the help of Serio and the Al Hazzard Chapter of Trout Unlimited, FUDR stepped in and followed the Department of Environmental Conservation’s recommendations to restore the flood-ravaged stream bank. Local contractor Donny Wheeler came to the rescue and did the work at a deeply discounted rate to help the non-profit groups get the job done. (Wheeler explained that he loves to fish, too.) Mayor O’Connor was gracious in thanking the groups for helping out since the town was short on funds to make the repairs.

A few weeks after the work was complete, O’Connor called me to say that a Deposit native named Kent Joscelyn owned a small piece of property on the West Branch that he might want to donate to FUDR. I checked with my board members, who asked me to pursue the lead.

The parcel, just downstream from the West Branch Bridge in Deposit, includes about 300 feet of river frontage. Kent Joscelyn’s father, Ray M. Joscelyn, and brother, John D. Joscelyn, who were Deposit fishermen, had also owned the property. He told me that he wanted to donate the land to a group that would use it to benefit the local community and visitors to the area. It seemed like a perfect fit since his goal mirrors nearly verbatim the FUDR mission statement.

He had a couple of reasonable requests for the property, such as the creation of a good view of the river as the property was developed. The transaction is now complete, and FUDR is the new owner of this very special piece of land.

This was a great gesture of appreciation from the donor. We are following through on his idea that the property should be shared by all of us—locals and visitors, fishermen and –women and sightseers. We’re planning a small park there, giving Joscelyn the “view for all” that he hoped for.

We live here amid the natural beauty of rivers and mountains. Kent Joscelyn has provided all of us with a lovely vantage point from which to view this majesty.

As I said, one good turn leads to another.

Dan Plummer, FUDR chairman

catskilldan@mac.com
1-607-363-7848

The Upper Delaware Council Leadership Changes

2012-01-18T18:48:00.000-08:00

The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. (UDC) has promoted Laurie Ramie as Acting Executive Director to succeed William E. Douglass in the position that he held for 22 years before retiring on Jan. 1, 2012.

Ramie began employment with the UDC on April 21, 1997 as the Public Relations/Fundraising Specialist. She will continue to fulfill those responsibilities while taking over the staff leadership role.

During her nearly 15-year tenure with the Council, Ramie has also served as editor of “The Upper Delaware” newsletter, grants coordinator for the UDC and the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Inc., special events planner, and a member of numerous steering committees for partner organizations and projects relevant to the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Valley.

“Laurie Ramie has demonstrated an ability to interact positively with fellow staff members and the public, and to accept and complete work assignments in a timely and professional manner,” said 2011 UDC Chairperson Representative Larry H. Richardson, Town of Cochecton, NY, in announcing the unanimous appointment that was effective on Dec. 5, 2011.

A native of Ogdensburg located on the New York State-Canada border, Ramie earned a 1988 Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a Minor in English (Writing Concentration) from SUNY Plattsburgh.

She worked in community journalism for almost 10 years as a reporter, photographer, editorial assistant, and supervising editor for newspapers in St. Lawrence County and Sullivan County, NY. Prior to joining the UDC, Ramie was the editor of the Sullivan County Democrat as published by Catskill-Delaware Publications.

The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. was established in 1988 to oversee the coordination and implementation of the River Management Plan for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, which the U.S. Congress designated as a unit of the National Park System in 1978.

The non-profit organization’s voting members are the two states (New York and Pennsylvania) and 13 local towns and townships that border on the Upper Delaware River. The Delaware River Basin Commission is a non-voting member. The UDC operates under a Cooperative Agreement with the National Park Service.

Each member appoints a representative to the UDC’s board to set policy and guide the direction of this conservation-oriented partnership of land, water, and people. In addition to Ramie as Acting Executive Director, current full-time staff members are Senior Resource Specialist David B. Soete and Secretary Cindy Odell.

For more information on the UDC and its activities, please visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org

An Entirely Synthetic Fish

2012-01-12T17:34:00.000-08:00

Anders Halverson is the author of a very informative and entertaining book about the rainbow trout that any trout fisherman is surely to find interesting.

An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World is the title of the book that is an excellent study on this North American Pacific slope native. The author in a relaxed, storytelling fashion chronicles the rainbow trout from it's discovery through its introduction into all but one continent.

The books reads at a pace that once picked up becomes hard to put down and after finishing it beckons to be read again.

Anders Halverston received his PhD in ecology from Yale University and wrote the book as a research associate at the University of Colorado's Center of the American West.

This book is now a permanent addition to my library.

Wettest Year Ever for the Upper D

2011-12-29T17:35:00.000-08:00

From December 2010 up until now, the Upper Delaware River had more than 71 inches or precipitation, exceeding a normal year by better than 27 inches of the wet stuff.

Deputy River Master Gary Paulachok calls it the wettest year on record. Beginning with February 2010 the basin received above normal rainfall each month with August and September being off the charts. Back to back hurricane remnants and tropical storms added to the unusually high numbers.

New York City DEP Commits $7 Million to West of Hudson Flood Mitigation

2011-12-21T22:08:00.000-08:00

Money Will Help Advance Region's Effort to Mitigate Future Flood Hazards

Environmental Protection Commissioner Carter Strickland today announced that DEP has committed $7 million to improving flood studies and maps in the West of Hudson watershed through a contract with FEMA in order to limit the damage from similar storms and other flooding events in the future similar to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. This is in addition to $2.7 million, which is now available for technical support and engineering services to help flood recovery efforts in local partnerships with Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The surveys for flood studies are underway in Ulster, Sullivan and Schoharie County and are set to begin next week in Delaware County. Updated floodplain maps provide an essential tool for communities working to identify key choke points and to focus funding on the best ways to mitigate future flood threats. This is especially important since flooding in the West of Hudson watershed due to Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee far surpassed the inundation levels and damages of past record floods. Map Steering Committees comprising local leaders will also be able to use these funds to train their municipal floodplain managers.

"The recent storms have been devastating to our neighbors upstate," said Commissioner Strickland. "During and directly after the recent storms, DEP provided assistance from its upstate and in-city crews to help watershed communities clear debris, open and rebuild roads, and clean and rehabilitate sewer lines, with in-kind contributions of manpower, equipment, and materials valued at roughly $1 million. We also have to think about the long-term resiliency of the landscape. That is why these new flood studies will be critical in helping make the communities more resilient to future flood events."

In response to the 2011 storms, DEP has dedicated additional resources to debris removal and stream and floodplain restoration in the watershed. In the towns of Middletown and Hardenburgh, for example, the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District's Stream Management Program guided the debris removal work from extensive reaches of the Dry Brook and East Branch Delaware River using its post-flood emergency stream intervention protocol.

Reworking stream channels after floods, if not done correctly, can increase the hazards associated with future floods. The technical assistance provided through the Stream Management Program has helped ensure that stream work performed post-Irene won't leave the region's rivers more susceptible to erosion. Cumulatively this effort includes over 12,000 hours of staff time, 46 bridge inspections, 95 stream channel restoration projects, and over 100 sites where DEP staff collaborated with localities on stream permitting.

Since 2002, the Stream Management Program and its partners have completed comprehensive plans for most West of Hudson rivers, created a network of more than 25 restoration projects, and established local field offices to help landowners and communities solve stream-related problems, including reducing flood hazards, minimizing bank erosion and improving fish habitat. DEP has invested more than $18 million for stream projects focused on flood hazard mitigation, which is part of more than $55 million overall in funding for stream management planning, restoration work, and education and training.

The success of DEP's Stream Management Program depends on mainly three factors:

State-of-the-art stream science (called fluvial geomorphology);
Partnerships with local experts and stakeholders from soil and water conservation districts, Cornell Cooperative Extension, planning departments, towns and riparian landowners;
Funding commitments: DEP has invested over $55 million in stream management in the last 15 years, and helped the Soil and Water Conservation Districts leverage several million federal dollars.

In addition, on Tuesday the Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) announced a new $2.5 million program to remove debris from streams throughout the watershed. The debris removal work will be coordinated among CWC, DEP and DEP's stream partners—the Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The Catskill Watershed Corporation is a regional not-for-profit established in 1997 with DEP funding to administer water quality protection and economic development programs in the Catskill and Delaware watersheds as part of New York City's program to retain an unfiltered drinking water supply.

During and after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, DEP worked with local communities to assist in the recovery and rebuilding while making sure to protect the watershed, including:

Ahead of the storm, DEP increased water release rates at its reservoirs to enhance the reservoirs' ability to absorb storm inflow and minimize any potential negative impacts on the surrounding community or to drinking water quality.
From the start of the storm, DEP Police assisted with search and rescues throughout the watershed.
In order to ensure that cleanup efforts were implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible, DEP suspended enforcement of certain watershed rules and regulations in its West-of-Hudson watershed provided they are taken in response to Hurricane Irene and are immediately necessary to protect life, health, property, and natural resources and are conducted with easily adopted, common-sense protections.
DEP deployed equipment and personnel to Prattsville, Windham, Margaretville, Phoenicia, Arkville, Mill Brook, Fleischmanns, Wawarsing, and other communities. Dozens of watershed maintainers, construction laborers, and supervisors used dump trucks, backhoes, excavators, loaders, and chainsaws to remove debris.
A Vactor truck and crew from the city was deployed to clean manholes in Margaretville as were crews from sewer maintenance, which deployed flusher trucks and rodders to clean the collection system in the village.
DEP wastewater treatment personnel from the city pitched in at the Tannersville Wastewater Treatment Plant, where a 150-foot section of road was washed away near the plant. They also assisted with repairing a broken sewer pipe which crossed a stream.
DEP deployed engineers to assist in inspecting bridges throughout the watershed.
DEP provided $1 million in funding to help West of Hudson businesses recover from flood damage through the Flood Recovery Fund established by the Catskill Watershed Corporation and assisted with funding toward the repair of Schoharie County's emergency siren system for Gilboa Dam.

DEP manages the city's water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties from the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from the City, and comprises 19 reservoirs, and three controlled lakes. Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities as scientists, engineers, surveyors, and administrative professionals, and perform other critical responsibilities. DEP has invested more than $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs—including partnership organizations such as the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council—that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and local economic opportunity. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program for the repair of Gilboa Dam and other in-city and upstate infrastructure, with a planned $13.2 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dep

Delaware Basin Conservation Act Passes Environmental Committee

2011-12-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

In an important step, federal legislation to help protect the Delaware River Basin has passed its Senate committee

The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2011 passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works last Thursday.

A companion bill in the House of Representatives is under consideration by the House Natural Resources Committee’s subcommittee on fisheries, wildlife, oceans and insular Affairs.

“We have a long way to go, but this is the first time that the legislation made it out of committee,” said Dan Plummer, board chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River. “We want to thank the legislators who saw the value in this proposal, in spite of the difficult economic times we are in.”

The Senate co-sponsors of the legislation are Democratic Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons of Delaware, Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, and Robert Casey of Pennsylvania.

The House bill is sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Carney, a Delaware Democrat. It has bipartisan co-sponsorship, including U.S. Reps. Robert Andrews and Rush Holt, New Jersey Democrats; Frank LoBiondo and John Runyan, New Jersey Republicans; Charles Dent, Michael Fitzpatrick, Jim Gerlach and Patrick Meehan, Pennsylvania Republicans; Allyson Schwartz, a Pennsylvania Democrat, and Maurice Hinchey, a New York Democrat.

The advancement of the bill was lauded by a number of conservation organizations that support it, including Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Delaware Riverkeeper, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, the American Littoral Society, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, New Jersey Audubon, American Rivers, the Land Trust Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, the Pinchot Institute and Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future.

“We applaud the bi-partisan leadership and the forward momentum of this much-needed legislation,” said Kelly Mooij, of New Jersey Audubon Society. “The River Basin provides the water, habitat for wildlife and livelihood for many millions in our four states. We congratulate this committee for its recognition of what we in the region have known for quite some time; we must act now to protect this valuable resource for our children and grandchildren.”

“The Delaware River provides the life-blood water to 15 million people in and around its basin,” said John Randolph, editor emeritus of Fly Fisherman magazine. “It has never faced more threatening environmental challenges. This bill is an important step in creating the means of the river's long-term protection and restoration.”

“We applaud this much-needed bill to help protect this incredibly valuable resource," said Glenn Erikson, Ph.D., of Wild Trout Flyrodders and the Federation of Fly Fishers. “The river is the crown jewel of eastern fisheries yet has immense challenges before it, even beyond the threat unregulated hydrofracking poses: invasive species, declining and/or turbid releases from its New York reservoirs, increasing gravel loads scouring the riverbeds, riverbed flattening in key reaches, and many more.”

"In the wake of both man made and natural environmental impacts to the Delaware Watershed, it's great to see bi-partisan support for financial aid to this resource so many depend upon,” said Richard Thomas of New Jersey Trout Unlimited. “We can only hope the support will continue to grow for this legislation which would help protect and restore the watershed for years to come."

The act would implement a voluntary, coordinated approach to sustaining and enhancing the basin’s habitat, water quality and flooding controls to benefit fish, wildlife and people.

It would provide $5 million for each of the next five fiscal years. The federal Interior Secretary would coordinate a program that would involve all four states in the basin, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The program would include a competitive grants component to provide support for local, on-the-ground projects by non-profits, universities, state and local governments, community organizations and others.

The grants could be used to support such things as wetlands restoration and protection, flood mitigation and waterfront revitalization.

In many ways, the Delaware River Basin has lacked a coordinated federal/state/local oversight effort, even though it is home to more than 8 million people and provides drinking water to 15 million. Other major American watersheds, including the Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay, get tens of millions of dollars in federal funding used for such things as conservation coordination.

The Delaware Basin gets relatively little funding, and the lack of coordination leaves it vulnerable to environmental exploitation.

Conservation groups point out that the Delaware River, the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi, is a critical component of the National Wild and Scenic River System in the Northeast. Management of the river and water volume in the Basin is critical to flood control and habitat for fish and wildlife.

Plummer said it is vital for individuals, municipalities and organizations within the Delaware Basin to contact their federal representatives to voice support for the legislation.

He urged those seeking more information, including a list of Basin congressmen, to visit the Northeast-Midwest Institute website at www.nemw.org/delaware.

“This is a great opportunity for us to draw long overdue funding and attention to our vital and precious natural resource,” Plummer said.

Help Upgrade the Delaware River to Exceptional Value Status

2011-12-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

From the Friends of the Upper Delaware River

We invite you to support the upgrade of the Upper and Middle Delaware River to Exceptional Value by writing a letter and being part of the original submission to the PA Department of Environmental Protection. This designation is reserved for the state’s cleanest and healthiest streams.

Be a co-petitioner for the Upper and Middle Delaware River Watershed – your support will strengthen the power of the petition and increase the likelihood that the PA DEP will grant it. We need to let them know that we care about this special watershed, and that we want it preserved with the strongest protections under the Clean Water Act.

TAKE ACTION: Go to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network’s website and send a letter of support:

Thank you -

Dan Plummer
Chairman of the Board
Friends of the Upper Delaware River
catskilldan@mac.com
607-363-7848 office
607-363-7975 fax

November 21 Special Meeting on Gas Drilling is Cancelled by the Delaware River Basin Commission

2011-11-18T07:15:00.000-08:00

WEST TRENTON, N.J. (Nov. 18) – The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the special meeting scheduled for Nov. 21 to consider draft natural gas development regulations has been postponed to allow additional time for review by the five commission members.

No additional information is available at this time.

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.

Natural Gas Development Regulations

2011-11-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

On November 21, 2011, the Delaware River Basin Commission will consider adoption of Article 7 of DRBC’s Water Quality Regulations to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the construction and operation of natural gas development projects.

This meeting is a special meeting rescheduled from October 21, 2011. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, in Trenton, N.J. It will not include a hearing to accept comments from the public prior to the anticipated vote.

The purpose of the proposed regulations are to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the development and operation of natural gas projects. 69,000 comments were received on the draft natural gas development regulations. Six public hearings were held at three locations in February 2011. Written comments were accepted until April 15, 2011, which was an extension from the original March 16 deadline.

The Commission has published the regulations on their website: NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

They also published a "fact sheet" regarding the regulations on their website: NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS "AT A GLANCE" FACT SHEET

Philadelphia passes resolution to sue Delaware River Basin Commission

2011-10-15T09:36:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday October 13, 2011
Contact: Iris Marie Bloom, Director, Protecting Our Waters
(215) 840-6489, protectingourwaters@gmail.com

Philadelphia City Council unanimously passes Resolution to sue the Delaware River Basin Commission, demands cumulative impacts of high-volume hydraulic fracturing be studied, forbidding fracking for now

Philadelphia: At noon today, all seventeen members of Philadelphia’s City Council voted in favor of a resolution which joins the City of Philadelphia as a Friend of the Court, together with lawsuits already filed by the Attorney General of the State of New York, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and other parties, in suing the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). Philadelphia is joining these lawsuits to require, according to the resolution passed today, “that no drilling of Marcellus Shale take place until a full environmental analysis is completed.”

“Today was a great day for democracy, science and human health in Philadelphia,” said abe [Mr. Alex Allen], Associate Director of Protecting Our Waters, after the vote. ”Our representatives in City Council chose to unanimously look out for the interests of the people while resisting the persistent lobbying of the industry.”

The resolution was sponsored by Councilman Curtis Jones and Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, and co-sponsored by Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez. Physician Walter Tsou, Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, Denise Dennis, whose historic land is impacted by shale gas drilling; and two activists testified in favor. About 30 supporters inside City Hall held up signs affirming, “Protect Our Water,” and “Don’t Drill the Delaware.” Councilman O’Neill, the only councilperson not present for the vote, had cast his “aye” vote before leaving the chambers. Councilman Jones’ office is now following up to ensure that the brief is filed, working with Council’s technical staff of lawyers.

Rabbi Mordechai Liebling, who testified at Council today, was delighted with the vote. ”Shale gas drilling is a public health disaster in the making,” he warned.

Dr. Walter Tsou, President of Physicians for Social Responsibility, past president of the American Public Health Association and former health commissioner of Philadelphia, also testified. ”As a public health physician, I have grave concerns about public health and environmental consequences of hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale region,” he said. “A cursory list of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing includes known carcinogens like diethyl benzene, ethyl benzene, formaldehyde, petroleum distillate (paint remover) and ethylene glycol, otherwise known as antifreeze. Add to that methane [migration into groundwater] and flowback [drilling wastewater] contaminated with radioactive isotopes…. Politicians have explicitly avoided the public health question because if they were really confronted with it, they would stop hydraulic fracturing.”

The resolution, which demands both a Delaware River Basin-specific cumulative impacts study and the EPA national study of the risks high-volume hydraulic fracturing poses to drinking water, includes a clause which appears to lay the groundwork to do just that for the Delaware River Basin, which supplies Philadelphia with 100% of its drinking water (the Schuylkill River is also in the Basin):

“Whereas, If the combined results of both a national EPA study and a Delaware River Basin-specific cumulative impacts study, show the potential for catastrophic risk, potential costs, and the inherent and cumulative risks to water, air, climate, farms, food, economy, fish and wildlife, human health, scenic value, and the tourism base, the City of Philadelphia will determine whether it is advisable to call for the entire Delaware River Basin to be kept off limits to unconventional gas drilling techniques.” The resolution also quotes the Pennsylvania Constitution’s famous clause ensuring that the people of Pennsylvania must enjoy “clean air, pure water,” and more.

Julie Edgar of Gas-Truth, an advocacy group which has sprung up to oppose shale gas drilling, testified in favor. After the vote she said, “Common sense advocates were pleased that the City Council of Philadelphia did the obvious right thing to support voices calling for the precautionary principle, demanding that we wait for cumulative environmental impact studies to be completed.”

Aaron Birk, a resident of West Philadelphia, was exuberant. In his testimony prior to the vote he said, “This is our chance to make history. The City of Philadelphia can stand up to an industry which wants only profit…. If we stand up to the industry, we have everything to gain.” After the vote, he commented, “There’s a lot of excitement here. Denise Dennis was fiercely articulate. (Councilwoman) Jannie Blackwell made several moving comments; she made a prayer for the occupiers, the sick and homeless and struggling people, and spoke in praise of the Occupy movement. She encouraged Council to respond to their constituents who are out in the street with serious concerns.” Today, Birk said, Council did just that, standing up to the fracking industry because, he said, “even if dollars did flow into the city, they’d dry up from public health costs and we’d be left with poisoned water.”

Late in the day on Wednesday, several Councilmembers indicated they’d been hearing a great deal from constituents in favor of passing the resolution to forbid fracking and sue the DRBC. A spokesman for Councilman Green said, “We are receiving a lot of calls in favor, and we are documenting everything.” A spokesman for Councilman Rizzo said, “We’ve gotten a lot of calls about that… I believe he’ll go that way [a yes vote].” Spokespeople in the offices of Councilman Darrell Clarke and Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller said they’d received “a large number of calls in favor.”

BACKGROUND:

The Delaware River Basin Commission has stated that they expect to vote on November 21st on ending the current moratorium and opening the Delaware River Basin to fracking, the controversial technique used in “tight” formations such as deep shale using large volumes of water mixed with “mystery” chemicals, which the industry is not obliged to disclose due to exemptions from federal law. The chemicals turn fresh water into “slickwater,” the industry term for water mixed with fracking chemicals, which is injected at extremely high pressure to fracture the bedrock, using lateral drilling up to two miles long and one mile deep. Fracking releases methane, a climate-warming fossil fuel the industry calls “natural gas.” Other gas byproducts are also released; some are used to create single-use plastics, which are choking the oceans and killing marine life; and nitrogen-based fertilizer, the runoff from which is creating huge dead zones in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.

The DRBC estimates about 20,000 gas wells would be approved. At the average rate of about 5 million gallons of “slickwater” injected per well, that would mean over 100 billion gallons of toxic fracking fluid would be injected through the aquifers of the Delaware River Basin, deep underground. Cement casing failure rate is about 12% immediately, 50% within 30 years, and 100% within 100 years, according to Professor Anthony Ingraffea, fracturing mechanics expert at Cornell University. The current rate of environmental violations at Marcellus Shale drilling sites, including spills of industrial liquids such as frack fluid, is eleven violations as day.
In 2009, seventeen cows died bellowing in agony within an hour after drinking fracking fluid which spilled from a valve left open. That fluid, according to Chesapeake Energy, which was responsible for the incident, was 99% water and only 1% fracking fluid.

Farmers in Pennsylvania have reported many deaths of cattle which they believe was caused by fracking contaminants in water, as well as stillborn calves, puppies, goats, and other animals linked to exposure to gas drilling contaminants. Fracking fluid impacts the respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems of humans and animals, according to research by The Endocrine Disruption Exchange.

Fifty-nine scientists released a letter September 15th stating that “flowback,” the wastewater which comes back up during and after fracking for methane gas, cannot be filtered by municipal water treatment systems. That letter is here.

The complete text of the resolution passed today is here and all phone numbers for City Council members are on the POW blog, here.

Protecting Our Waters is a Philadelphia-based grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the Delaware River Basin, the state of Pennsylvania, and the region from unconventional gas drilling and other threats to drinking water, the environment, and public health.

Vote on Natural Gas Regulations Postponed

2011-10-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

DRBC POSTPONES VOTE ON DRAFT NATURAL GAS REGULATIONS

Special Meeting Rescheduled for November 21(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the previously scheduled October 21, 2011 special meeting for the commissioners to consider draft natural gas development regulations has been postponed.

The rescheduled special meeting will take place on November 21, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, in Trenton, N.J. The doors to this public meeting will open at 9:30 a.m. A presentation summarizing the proposed regulations will be provided prior to the vote by the commissioners. The November 21 meeting will not include a hearing to accept comments from the public prior to the anticipated vote.

The previously announced October 21 meeting date is being delayed for a month since additional time is necessary to complete the ongoing process and to allow for an opportunity to publish the modified draft regulations on the DRBC web site (www.drbc.net) two weeks in advance of the expected vote by the commissioners. This web posting, planned for November 7, will be for informational purposes only since comments will not be accepted.

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 commenting 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.

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

Fall Fishing Report

2011-10-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

Shorter days, colored foliage and crisp mornings seem to have arrived quicker than usual this year. The rivers are still running high. The rest of the season looks like it will mostly continue that way. The upper section of the East Branch along with the Beaverkill and Willowemoc could be the only water to allow wade fisherman an opportunity if, and it's a big if, the water levels continue to drop and we don't get any significant rainfall.

The fishing has been good for boaters fishing streamers with many large browns landed and released. The reservoirs spilled big numbers of alewives over the top, so needless to say, flies representing these herring like baitfish have been the best producers.

Current Upper Delaware fishing reports, including the East and West Branch, Beaverkill, Willowemoc and Neversink rivers can be found here: Fishing Reports Scroll down to the Fishing Reports on the left side.

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

2011-09-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

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.

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

The Upper Delaware River needs your support!

2011-09-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

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!

‘North Meets South’ At River Celebration On the West Branch

2011-08-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

The West Branch Angler & Resort will host a river celebration featuring two top-notch musical acts on Sunday, Aug. 21.

The featured bands are the Alvarado Road Show, a Nashville-based country trio making its first appearance in New York that weekend, and the Blues Maneuver, the horn-driven Catskills R&B band that has been a regional favorite for more than a decade.

The event, “North Meets South on the West Branch,” is sponsored by Friends of the Upper Delaware River. It will be held from 5 to 9 p.m.

Admission is free and open to everyone. Donations will be taken to cover the cost of the bands and to support FUDR’s ongoing work to protect the Upper Delaware River system. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

“We’re inviting everyone to come celebrate the best fishing season we’ve had in a long, long time with some cold beer and some hot music,” said Dan Plummer, chairman of FUDR, a nonprofit river conservation group. “A new reservoir water release plan and Mother Nature--along with a little help from our friends--has kept the fish safe, and the fishing is still going strong. It’s time to celebrate.”

The West Branch Angler & Resort is located on the West Branch of the Delaware River near Hale Eddy, off Route 17 between Hancock and Deposit, N.Y. (To get there, take Route 17 to the Hale Eddy exit, cross the Hale Eddy Bridge, then turn left on Faulkner Road and proceed 3/4 of a mile to the resort.)

The Alvarado Road Show features brothers AJ and Cleve Clark and their nephew, drummer Brandon Trey. Known for tight sibling harmonies and vivid songwriting, ARS is a touring band that does more than 150 shows a year. The trio has performed in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry, the famed Ryman Auditorium and at the CMA Music Festival.

Cleve and AJ Clark are contract songwriters for Sony/ATV Music Publishing, and they have shared credits with some of the biggest hitmakers in rock and country music, including Steve Wariner, Stan Lynch, David Z, Kyle Cook, Kim Williams and Rick Carnes.

The Blues Maneuver will get the party started at 5:15 p.m., then will join ARS on stage for a north-meets-south jam at end of the trio’s set.

Luther Krajicek, frontman of the Blues Maneuver, said he became acquainted with the Clarks and Trey on the Gulf Coast.

“There are hundreds of great musicians working down on the southern coast, influenced both by Nashville and New Orleans,” Krajicek said. “But these guys stood from the moment I heard their first song as something completely original. Great songs, great harmonies, great guys.”

Krajicek lured them to New York for the first time this summer by booking them at several gigs, including the “Hoedown in the Blowdown” festival near Oneonta on Aug. 19 and as a show-opener for Mary Chapin Carpenter at the Belleayre Summer Music Festival on Aug. 20.

“I was saving Aug. 21 for a joint show with Blues Maneuver and ARS, and the river celebration was the perfect fit for that, thanks to Dan Plummer of FUDR and Sam Batschelet of West Branch Angler,” Krajicek said.

Dan Plummer, Chairman

Friends of the Upper Delaware River

catskilldan@mac.com

607-363-7848 office

607-363-7975 fax

www.fudr.org

Mid August 2011 Upper Delaware River Fishing Report

2011-08-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

The rainy Spring and new water management plan in effect this season have allowed the West Branch Branch of the Delaware to have steady water releases ranging from 525 to 600 cfs the whole season so far. This has really ignited the rainbow trout fishery on the main stem of the Delaware and has kept the West Branch fishing very well throughout the summer.

Hatches have been very good to excellent with the overcast days producing the most insect activity. Sulfurs, olives, Cahills, isonychia, and a showing of tricos. Flying ants are starting to show up too. Nymphing and wet fly fishing have been very productive during times of reduced insect activity.

Down further on the main river the smallmouth bass action has been good to excellent. Evenings have provided the best opportunity for surface action with the bass greedily snatching poppers and sliders from the surface.

With the weather forecast for the rest of the month predicting cool air temps look for the fishing conditions to stay good or even get better.

Last Weeks Water Temperature Crisis on the Upper Delaware River Averted

2011-07-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

July 28, 2011

For more information: Dan Plummer, catskilldan@mac.com; 607-363-7848

Cooperation between conservation groups and government policymakers helped stave off a water temperature crisis on the Upper Delaware River during last week’s heat wave.

As air temperatures spiked to nearly 100 degrees in the region on July 22, water temperatures at Lordville, NY, reached 78 degrees and were expected to continue to climb.

It was the first water alert of the summer under a modified reservoir water release plan that took effect on June 1. Members of Friends of the Upper Delaware River, a nonprofit conservation group, scrambled to find relief for the cold water ecosystem, including its trout, according to its board chairman, Dan Plummer.

Under the Delaware River Basin Commission’s new Flexible Flow Management Program, releases from Cannonsville Reservoir were fixed at 500 cubic feet per second for the summer months and bumped up to 600 cfs a few weeks ago. The new release plan is providing nearly twice as much water than had been released the past four years under the old program.

The 600 cfs figure is sometimes called the “FUDR number,” due to the fact that the original FUDR board has for years advocated a minimum flow of 600 cfs out of Cannonsville.

River temperatures depend largely on the amount of cold water released from the reservoirs. Releases come from the bottom of the reservoirs at temperatures as low as 42 degrees, and at sufficient levels this keeps the rivers cool for miles downstream.

But it became clear that 600 cubic feet per second was insufficient with air temperatures approaching triple digits and with climbing water temps recorded by the river gauge at Lordville.

The conservation group discussed its options.

“The 600 cfs out of Cannonsville should take care of the fishery most of the summer, but it is a minimum release figure, not an ideal,” said Bob Bachman, a Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissioner and FUDR board member. “There will be times when we’ll need more cold water, and last week was a perfect example.”

With all three Delaware River reservoirs at more than 90 percent of capacity, FUDR and its partners in the Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition decided to ask government policymakers to temporarily increase the Cannonsville releases to 1,000 cfs—something that has been done only rarely in the past.

“With soaring air temps, rising water temps threatening the trout, and plenty of water in the system,” said Diane “Dee” Maciewjewski, chairman of the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited, “we’ve got to ask for the extra water.”

Other groups that supported the effort included Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Federation of FlyFishers, and the Pennsylvania State Council of Trout Unlimited.

Jeff Zimmerman, FUDR’s attorney, contacted DRBC commission members–government officials from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware-to explain the situation. As a result, the conservation groups got their extra cold water.

The water spigot was opened on the afternoon of July 22. Within 36 hours, the river’s temperature downstream at Lordville had dropped by more than 10 degrees, to the mid-60s.

Plummer said any of the DRBC commissioners could have vetoed the increased flow. He credited the support of Paul Rush, with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and John Hines of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

“These two guys took the lead and got it done,” Plummer said. He noted that Rush followed up with a phone call to make sure all knew the increased flow plan had been executed and hoped it was having the intended results. The flow rate was backed down to 600 cfs after the heat wave passed.

FUDR received many emails and calls congratulating everyone who had helped secure the cold water.

A message from Andy Boyar of the Catskill Flyfishing Center summed it up: “On behalf of the trout, aaaaaah! Thanks.”

Plummer said conservationists and policymakers alike are still sorting out how the new release program will play out in the long run. But he said the conservation groups appreciate the current working relationship with all parties involved.

“Things are looking good,” Plummer said. “Guides and fishermen up and down the river are claiming this is the best season we have had in a long, long time

Visit http://fudr.org for more information and insights on preserving the Upper Delaware River

Kayaks, Canoes, Inflatable Rafts and Paddleboards: What You Need to Know Before You Use Them on the Upper Delaware River

2011-07-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Kayaks, canoes, inflatable rafts and paddleboards are increasing in popularity with the summer heat. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding operators of these watercraft that it is important to know what safety equipment and regulations apply.

“Currently, unpowered boats are not required to be registered, unless they are being used at a state-owned access such as a Commission access area or lake or Pennsylvania state parks and state forests,” said Ryan Walt, PFBC boating and watercraft safety manager. “In these cases, you must either have your non-powered boat registered or have a launch permit issued by the Commission or the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.”

The cost to register a non-powered boat or to buy a launch permit is the same - $10 for one year or $18 for two - but registration provides additional benefits to the owner, Walt added. “By registering your boat, the information is recorded in our system and we can help you and the authorities locate it if it is ever lost or stolen.”

Registration also makes the renewal process easier. “Once your boat is registered, we will send you a renewal notice three months before the period is up,” said Walt. “It’s convenient and allows the owner to spend more time thinking about paddling and less time worrying about whether they renewed their registration or have a current launch permit.”

In addition to the registration requirement, important life-saving equipment is required to be carried on non-powered crafts.

Life jackets:
Every person in a kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard must have on board a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard-approved, wearable type I, II, III, or V life jacket of appropriate size. Children 12 years of age and younger must wear their life jackets while underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and on all canoes and kayaks. Life jackets save lives, so Wear It!

Sound producing device:
Unpowered boat operators are required to carry a device capable of sounding a prolonged blast for 4-6 seconds that can be heard by another boat operator in time to avoid a collision. An athletic coach’s whistle is an acceptable sound producing device. Clip it to your life jacket for easy access.

Lights:
Any kayak, canoe, inflatable raft or paddleboard on the water after dusk must have a hand-held or installed white light to be displayed in time to avoid a collision with another craft. When anchored or moored after dusk, an all-round white light must be displayed where it can best be seen 360 degrees.

Additional information about paddleboards:
Paddleboards are considered boats as defined by the U.S. Coast Guard if they are used outside the narrow limits of a swimming, surfing, or a bathing area. As such, they are subject to regulations administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and the PFBC, including life jacket, sound producing device and navigation light requirements.

Additional information about inner tubes, float tubes, and inflatable rafts:
Pennsylvania has no general law prohibiting the launching of inner tubes or tubing on Pennsylvania rivers. Whether it is legal to launch or retrieve inner tubes at a particular access area depends on the regulations for that site. For instance, it is unlawful to launch or retrieve swimming aids, such as inner tubes and similar devices, from access areas managed for fishing and boating by the PFBC.

However, on PFBC-controlled lakes, float tubes can be used if the user is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, is lawfully fishing, and is not propelled by a mechanical device. A float tube is defined as a device constructed to provide stable flotation and a level ride to a single angler in a manner that minimizes the possibility of capsizing. If using an inflatable raft on Commission property the raft must be at least 7 feet in length, made of durable, reinforced fabric and have at least two separate buoyancy chambers exclusive of any floor or bottom.

“As the summer continues to heat up, paddlers and tubers will be hitting the water to cool down,” Walt said. “Remember, safe boating saves lives, so know the waters you’re boating, always be on the lookout for what’s happening around you, and ‘Wear It!’”.

Registrations and launch permits may be purchased through PFBC offices, most county courthouses, boat dealers or through any other PFBC issuing agent. The DCNR launch permit can be purchased from any state park office. For more information see the Boat Registration Section at: http://fishandboat.com/registration.htm.

Summer trout and smallmouth bass fishing on the Upper Delaware River

2011-07-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

Cross Current Guide Service & Outfitters has introduced a new summer fly fishing guided twilight special.

In addition to their full and half day float trips for trout and smallmouth bass Cross Current has added an evening twilight fly fishing special for the wild rainbow and brown trout of the Upper Delaware River. Check out the announce below for more details:

Trout Fishing on the Upper Delaware River

It’s been a high water year so far and that has resulted in some excellent fishing on the Delaware. The Main Stem trout fishing hasn’t been this good, this time of the year for many years!

Sulfurs, Olives, Slate Drakes (as many Delaware fly fishers call, Isos), and Cahills have been on the trout’s menu offering some wonderful late evening fishing. This has prompted us to offer a new float trip package for as long as these conditions hold together.

Staring now, join us for a Magic Hour evening float trip where you can try your hand on twilight fishing for the Delaware’s famed wild rainbow trout. This 3 to 4 hour float trip begins with meeting us around 6:00 PM and fishing until dark from the safety and comfort of a drift boat. Catch the excitement of evening spinner falls for just $200 for one or two anglers.

Our Full Day guided trip for up to 2 people is still available for $395. A five hour Half Day’s trip is $295.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing on the Upper Delaware River
Field & Stream Magazine names the Upper Delaware as one of the top five smallmouth bass Rivers in the US - July 2007
The number one reason you should fish for smallmouth bass with us is because it's just downright fun! Perfect for the novice or expert. On spin tackle or on a fly rod the smallmouth is inch for inch and pound for pound, the sportiest fish in freshwater. As soon as they're hooked a smallmouth lets off with an exciting series of runs and jumps, fighting against the rod and giving the impression that it's a far bigger fish than it is.

Our Full Day guided Smallmouth trip for up to 2 people, 8+ hours, snacks, soft drinks, and lunch included, is $350.

Call us at 607-241-7000 or email crosscurrent@optonline.net

River Herring Season to be Closed on The Delaware River and Other Waters

2011-07-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

At their quarterly meeting on July 12, 2011 The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) approved A final rulemaking order imposing a closed season on river herring in the Delaware River and Delaware Estuary; the Lehigh and Schuylkill rivers and their tributaries; and the Conowingo Reservoir on the Susquehanna River.

The changes are being made in cooperation with N.J., N.Y. and Delaware as part of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s interstate management plan for shad and river herring, which states that the river herring population remains at a depressed level.

The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act

2011-06-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release
June 23, 2011
Contacts:
Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, Delaware Riverkeeper Network,
215 369 1188 ext 102 (office & cell)
Sue Currier, Executive Director, Delaware Highlands Conservancy, 570 226 3164
Tim Dillingham, Executive Director, American Littoral Society, 732 291 0055
Jennifer Adkins, Executive Director of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, 302 655 4990
Laura Craig, Associate Director of River Restoration, American Rivers, 856 786 9000
Kelly Mooij, Director of Government Relations, New Jersey Audubon, 609 577 1434
Kevin Case, Northeast Program Director, Land Trust Alliance, 518 587 0774
Dan Plummer, Chairman, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, 607 363 7848
Al Sample, President, Pinchot Institute for Conservation 202 797 6582

Delaware River Protection Legislation

Introduced by Federal Lawmakers

Washington, D.C.: Thursday, June 23, 2011, Congressional leaders from the Delaware River region introduced, in both the U.S. House and the Senate, new legislation focused on the protection and restoration of the Delaware River watershed. The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2011 would bolster efforts in the region to coordinate the restoration and enhancement of important river-related habitat, to reduce flood damages, and to improve water quality for the people, fish and wildlife of the region.

Senate cosponsors include: Tom Carper (D-DE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Robert Casey (D-PA).

House cosponsors include: John Carney (D-DE), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Congressmen Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Charles Dent (R-PA). Robert Andrews (D-NJ), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA), Jon Runyan (R-NJ) and Patrick Meehan (R-PA).

“The Delaware River is the largest drinking water supplier in the MidAtlantic and is the basis of a multi-billion dollar economy that supports our region. When the River’s critical habitats, such as floodplains and wetlands are protected, the River can better protect communities from flood damages. And our River is home to species recognized the world over. The leaders advancing this legislation are ensuring a healthy future for our communities and our children,” says Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper, leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

"The Delaware provides drinking water for millions; a great fishery for trout, bass and other game fish; recreational opportunities for canoeists, kayakers and other boaters; world-class scenery; and habitat for iconic creatures like the bald eagle and Atlantic sturgeon. Any river that gives so much to so many is certainly entitled to "river of the year" designation, and deserves all the protection that we can give it." Gregory R. Belcamino, President, Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

“The Delaware River is home to some of our nation’s most valuable natural resources and special places. Protecting the land of the Delaware Basin protects our drinking water, our bay and our world class wildlife resources This legislation provides a critical tool in our efforts to protect, and where necessary, restore those irreplaceable lands. The sponsors show great leadership and vision in moving this legislation forward ” said Tim Dillingham, Executive Director of the American Littoral Society, a coastal conservation organization with a Delaware Bay program.

"As the National Estuary Program, our focus is on keeping the tidal Delaware River and Bay healthy and productive," says Jennifer Adkins, Executive Director of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary. "That's becoming more and more difficult without the level of investment and coordination with upper-watershed partners that the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act would provide."

“From the cool, clear headwaters in New York to the bustling Delaware Bayshore fisheries, this River is key to the health and livelihood of so many- people, wildlife and businesses. We applaud the tremendous leadership shown by members of the NJ federal delegation and their continued commitment to protecting this nationally significant River Basin,” said Kelly Mooij, Director of Government Relations for New Jersey Audubon. “It is clear that coordination and planning between the states and various federal agencies will be critical in protecting this great River, now and in the future.”

“The Delaware River basin provides clean drinking water to 15 million people, supports diverse wildlife and economically important fisheries, and provides numerous recreational opportunities. This legislation will provide a critical tool in the coordination of future conservation and restoration activities so that we may continue to enjoy the river’s bounty,” says Laura Craig, Associate Director of River Restoration for American Rivers.

"I don’t believe there has ever been a more thoughtful, insightful proposal to make resources available to help the Upper Delaware River Basin," said Dan Plummer, Chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River. FUDR is behind the proposed legislation 100 percent. We believe the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act would fund precisely the sorts of projects that we all have been working on, including stream restoration, economic impact studies, and protecting this near perfect resource from any environmental threats. We need to form new basin-wide partnerships going forward and this bill encourages and supports just that. The Upper Delaware River Basin has lacked a coordinated federal/state/local oversight effort for far to long, even though it is home to more than 8 million people and provides drinking water for close to 15 million. The lack of this coordination leaves the Basin vulnerable, something we just can't allow.

“The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act will help spur a coordinated effort and new partnerships to adopt a basin wide management strategy that would benefit millions of people in four states. As an advocate for local, non-profit land trusts working throughout the Delaware River watershed, we applaud this initiative to secure dedicated funding for conservation and strategic grant making in the region,” said Kevin Case, Northeast Program Director for the Land Trust Alliance.

"The Delaware River Basin provides critical habitat for North America's waterfowl and incredible outdoor opportunities for sportsmen and women in the region," said Bernie Marczyk, Governmental Affairs Representative for Ducks Unlimited. "The bipartisan sponsors of this legislation should be praised for their leadership as they protect a national treasure like the Delaware River Basin. Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 94,000 acres of waterfowl habitat in the Basin states, and this legislation will enable conservation groups to protect and restore many acres for future generations."

“We strongly support the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act”, said Pinchot Institute President, Al Sample "Alongside the diversity of organizations forming the Common Waters Partnership in the upper reaches of the Delaware, we urge more concerted effort to conserve the forests, rivers, and streams that provide enjoyment, jobs, and drinking water to millions of people."

Jan Jarrett, president and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture), praised the proposal, saying “it is time the river, our local waterways and the entire basin receive the federal attention and resources to protect water quality, improve public access and ensure flood control.”

The proposed legislation would secure federal resources to encourage, advance and support basin-wide coordination of habitat, water quality and flood damage reduction initiatives. The legislation employs a non-regulatory, voluntary approach to improving conservation and restoration throughout the Delaware River Basin, from the Catskills to the Delaware Bay.

Key elements of the proposed legislation include a program run by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that would develop a strategic investment strategy to efficiently address the highest priorities for conservation and restoration in the Basin, and a competitive grant program that would support locally-driven, on-the-ground projects by non-profits, universities, state and local governments, community organizations and others. The bill would bring additional resources to the entire Basin; the Delaware watershed has historically received comparatively little federal attention despite being home to more than 8 million people and providing drinking water, recreation, and $22 billion in annual economic benefit to nearly 16 million.

Upper Delaware River Fishing Guides

2011-06-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Fishing guides on the Upper Delaware River fall under the juristiction of three and sometimes four government agencies. The first three are the states of New York and Pennsylvania, and the National Park Service. The fourth is the US Coast Guard if the guide uses any type of motorized vessel on the main stem of the Delaware River.

There is no reciprocity for guide licenses between NY and PA, so fishing guides must be licensed by both states whenever they are guiding within the boundry waters. These waters include the Delaware River which is entiely boundry water and also National Park Service Water so add in a National Park Service required authorization. The West Branch is aproximately half border water so both states licenses are required by a guide on this lower section of the West Branch. The East Branch of the Delaware is entirely under NY juristiction so only a NY state guide license is required on that river.

Professioanl guides will not guide or take clients on water they are not licensed for. To help the angling public know what guides are licensed where, each of the three entities, NY, PA & the NPS maintain a website that supplies that information.

New York
Pennsylvania
National Park Service

Because someone is licensed in one juristiction doesn't necessarily mean they are licensed in all. Pennsylvania and the National Park Service have strict insurance requirements. New York doesn't, so it's a good idea to ask for an insurance certificate from a NY only licensed guide to be sure you as a customer would be covered in the event of any injury or property loss.

Sure, it can get a little confusing but try to keep it simple by just remembering that a fishing guide needs to be licensed by each state he is guiding in and the National Park Service on NPS water. When PA is one side of the river and NY the other, both states licenses are required by the guide. If on the main stem of the Delaware, both states and the National Park Service. I guess I could have left out the first three paragraphs and said it that way to begin with.

Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum Celebrates 30th Anniversary

2011-05-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Livingston Manor, NY.  On Saturday May 28, 2011 The Catskill Fly Fishing
Center and Museum will celebrate its 30th Anniversary and Annual Meeting.

A full day of activities and events will culminate with the annual fund
raising dinner and auction (see below) to be held at Kings Catering,
Livingston Manor, NY.

10:00 AM, The Annual Members Meeting will be held in the Paul Dahlie
Education Building.   President Miriam Stone will officiate with a review of
the past year, followed by officer reports and the election of trustees.  

Also at 10:00 AM, World Fly Tying Ambassador, Ted Patlen will host a fly
tying demonstration in the museum and will later be joined by Lee Weil as
the guest fly tyer.  

1:00 PM-  Misako Ishismura, co author of  TENKARA, will hold a book signing
in the museum until 2 PM.

The Hardy Bros. Cup bamboo rod casting competition will resume from 1:00 PM
- 4 :00 PM in the lower field.  Competitors are required to bring their own
bamboo fly rod with reel lined with a WF or DT Floating fly line and 7.5' or
less leader.  This will be the last time to compete before the August 6
competing schedule and award.  

5:30 Cocktails and Silent auction begins at Kings

7:00 PM   MC Jim Callahan will welcome guests at the 30th Annual Dinner 

8:30 Live Auction of 20+ lots.  To include: *  A  special casting lesson for
two with Joan Wulff, * A 1:1 day on the Delaware with Al Cauuci,  * A 1:1
afternoon fishing the Potatuck Club Water in CT with Member Keith Fulsher  *
Trips for two to Chile or the Restigouche River, * The Catskill Rodmakers
Gathering fly rod, *  Fishing for Two on the De Bruce  Club Water with
Anthony "Willowemoc" Magardino,   * Two nights in the Catskills with dinner,
New equipment, * Original art works, and...see all details at
<http://www.cffcm.net> www.cffcm.net

For more  information call 845-439-4810

Conversation Groups Say They Are Optimistic as Expiration Nears for Delaware Flow Plan

2011-05-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Delaware River conservationists say they are optimistic that the government agencies responsible will take appropriate action as the expiration date draws near for the flawed plan that governs releases from the New York City-owned reservoirs.

The infamous Flexible Flow Management Program - regarded as a disappointment by scientists, river residents and recreational users alike - is due to expire on June 1.

Government officials are now well-aware that the Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition is supporting an alternative known as the Joint Fishery White Paper, produced last year by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

The White Paper proposal would bring more consistent flows from the reservoirs, protecting the river’s habitat against the yo-yo releases common under the expiring flow plan. The White Paper plan would keep more life-sustaining cold water in the rivers during the hot summer months, when it is needed most.

The wet spring this year has provided a lesson in water management, said Dan Plummer, a member of the coalition and board chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River.

“We have shown repeatedly there is plenty of water to go around if the resource is managed properly, and this idea is supported by many highly respected conservation groups,” he said. “Members of the watershed coalition have pleaded our case over and over again, and now it’s in the hands of the powers that be.”

So far this spring, reservoirs have had some voids to store most of the excess rainwater, yet spillage from the reservoirs added to conditions that reached very near to flood stages.

Decisions about the expiring water-release plan will be made by the Delaware River Basin Commission, whose members include representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York City.

Plummer and other environmentalists have had a series of meetings in the past month with principals involved in the upcoming water-flow decision, including John Plonski, assistant commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Conservation; John Hines, deputy secretary for water management with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Paul Rush, deputy commissioner for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

“We have had constructive conversations with a number of people, and a group of us are heading to Washington, D.C., this week to meet on the Hill with many of our senators and representatives to gauge our support for issues connected to the health and safety of the Delaware River and its tributaries,” said Plummer.

He noted that some river advocates have charged that a secret deal has been struck to extend the flawed FFMP for yet another year

“We have been assured that this is not the case,” said Plummer. “We are optimistic that all possibilities are still in play, but all we can do is count on the honesty of our government officials.”

Plummer noted that various conservation groups have invested heavily in the river’s well-being, including vocal opposition to hydrofracking of gas in the Delaware watershed.

Friends of the Upper Delaware River, for example, has been key in helping to protect the river against many environmental threats to the area. The group has dedicated thousands of hours and vast sums of its own money on restoring streams in our area, often in partnership with government agencies that may not have the funds or manpower to get the job done on their own.

Plummer said the coalition groups were allied with the New York City DEP in the effort to prevent unsafe drilling practices in the Delaware watershed.

“I believe that we all want the same thing, from New York City to the Catskills and downstream all the way to Delaware Bay and estuary,” Plummer said. “We all want a healthy Delaware River. It is in the best interest of everyone involved, whether you are river resident, a Manhattan resident, a water bureaucrat or a flyfisherman.”

In April, the Delaware was designated a “Great Water,” joining 18 other waterways nationwide selected for that honor by a national coalition formed to protect waterways of high economic, social and environmental importance.

The America’s Great Waters Coalition, based in Washington, was formed in 2009 to advocate for the restoration and protection of lakes, bays, rivers and marshes that are rich in natural resources and have a significant impact on their surrounding regions.

The Delaware River is the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi, flowing for 330 miles from Hancock, N.Y., to the Delaware Bay, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. More than 15 million people in four states depend on the river’s water for drinking, agricultural and industrial use. The Delaware includes natural wonders - three stretches along its course are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers program - and important commercial assets.

DRBC meets on May 11, 2011

2011-04-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Delaware River Basin Commission has posted the Notice of Commission Meeting and Public Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, 2011 on the Commission’s web site at www.drbc.net that may contain a project of interest to you.

May at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum

2011-04-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

May is here and is simply the best month to be trout fishing in theCatskills and visiting the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum(CFFCM).The Catskills are alive with activities and events for all. Take aMaycation and take advantage of the discounts by local merchants.

May 7, join the Long Island Fly Rodders to give back to the areaand clean the Willowemoc Creek and Beaverkill River. Co opting in the 2011Stream Clean will be the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Long Island Boy Scouts,and Member of the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce. Clean up begins at 9:00AM,LIFR BBQ at 1PM and fishing immediately after. FFF Professional Castinginstructors Floyd Franke and Gail and Paul Gallo will hold a free CastingClinic from 11AM to 1PM and Classic Trout's JB Martin will demonstrate flytying in the museum.

May 14, Mike Hogue, Badger Creek Fly Tying owner will bedemonstrating his latest creations at the vise and author Joe Perrone, Jr.will be signing his great Catskill Mystery Opening Day.

May 21 & 22, America's premier international fishing tackle craftsevent, Woodstick will be held. Visit the Center for a two day gathering oftoday's finest tackle craftsmen from Europe, Japan, and the USA as theyexchange and share creations of classic tackle today. A contingent fromJapan will represent their countrymen in this event. Please visit and showyour support and concern. In coordination of this great event, The HardyCup will be unveiled and attendees will be given the opportunity to competein the first annual bamboo casting competition from Noon - 4 PM on Saturday,May 21. FFF Professional Casting instructors Floyd Franke and Gail & PaulGallo will hold a free Casting Clinic from 11 Am to 1PM and Scott Cesari willdemonstrate his innovative realistic fly tying in the museum.

May 28, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum will celebratetheir 30th Annual Fund Raising Dinner and Auction at King's Catering at5:30. The day is preceded by the Annual Members Meeting at 10AM; the lastopportunity to cast in the Hardy Cup bamboo rod fly casting competitionbefore the final day on August 6, and a great opportunity to see many of thelong time pioneers who started the CFFCM in 1981.

Call the CFFCM at845-439-4810 to make your reservation.Join fellow fly fishers at this dinner to support the CFFCM to continue itswork to preserve, protect and promote fly fishing. The Catskill Fly FishingCenter and Museum is all about fly fishing, and the center of it all. The CFFCM recognizes the Press for keeping fly fishing and outdoors sportsalive and well.

For any additional details on the May happenings at the CFFCM call845-439-4810.

Upper Delaware River Fishing Reports

2011-04-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Upper Delaware River Report

East Branch Delaware River Report

Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum 29th Summerfest and Anglers Market

2011-04-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

Livingston Manor, NY.   On August 6, 2011 Hardy USA and The Catskill Fly
Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) will hold the first annual Hardy Bros. Cup
casting competition, at the 29th  Summerfest and Anglers Market at the
CFFCM.  This annual casting event will be open to all individuals and the
only requirement is to use a bamboo fly  rod 9' in length or smaller.  This
casting contest will be based on two distance casts and one accuracy cast.
Handicaps will be applicable to rods under 8' in length and a tie breaker
will be determined by the age of the rod.  Casters should be able to cast a
sight fly 50 feet with a 7.5' leader.  Leaders and sight flies will be
provided.

This contest was created by Hardy USA and CFFCM  to celebrate the 100th
Anniversary of the introduction of the. Hardy C.C. de France Fly Rod   by
Hardy Bros. Ltd.   The over all point champion will receive a Commemorative
100th anniversary C.C. de France  hand crafted by Hardy master rod makers,
Tom Moran and Callum Gladstone.  Second and third place finishers will
receive a Hardy classic fly reel.  The winning caster's name will be
engraved on the Tiffany designed "Hardy Bros. Cup" that will remain on
display in the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum.  An  award ceremony will take
place  at 6:30PM on Saturday, August 6, at a complimentary barbeque hosted
by Hardy at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum.

This annual event has been designed to share in the pleasures of casting
bamboo fly rods.

No fee or advanced registration required.  

A casting field will be laid out at upcoming CFFCM events:

May 21 & 22, Woodstick- a field show devoted to the classic fly fishing
tackle and accessories by today's traditional craftsmen.

May 28 & 29 for the CFFCM Annual Dinner Weekend.

For complete details on scoring and handicaps, please visit www.cffcm.net
<http://www.cffcm.net/>  .

NJ DEP Anounces Modification in Delaware River Water Management Plan

2011-04-07T09:57:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 7, 2011

Contact: Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994

Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795

Michael Saucier (NYC DEP) (718) 595-6600

DEP NEGOTIATES IMPROVED NEW YORK CITY RESERVOIR OPERATING PLANTO BETTER PROTECT DELAWARE RIVER'S RESOURCES

(11/P49) TRENTON - New York City has agreed to modifications of releases of water from its reservoir system in the Catskill Mountains to better protect the ecology of the Delaware River in New Jersey and other downriver states, and help provide drought relief and flood protection, Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.

The agreement worked out with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and approved by the four states that share the river basin - New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware - will better control the river's salt line, typically found in an area around the Delaware Memorial Bridge in Salem County, thereby better protecting aquatic life, as well as drinking-water suppliers and industries that utilize fresh water from the river.

The agreement enables water purveyors in a broad swath of central New Jersey to tap into a larger share of Delaware River water via the Delaware & Raritan Canal. It also calls for the city to test a procedure to help to alleviate threats of flooding along upper portions of the Delaware River.

"This agreement is a perfect example of agencies working together and across state lines to reach a goal that is good for the entire region, one that is consistent with good water supply practices,'' said Commissioner Martin. "I must commend New York City for working with us toward resolving our concerns with its operating plan for its reservoir system and recognizing that the way the city releases water from its reservoirs is felt many miles downstream."

"This landmark agreement protects New York City's water supply, and at the same time, increases the amount of water available to New Jersey, and will better protect the river's ecology, and help reduce flooding throughout the basin,'' said New York City Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway.

These steps will take effect June 1. After one year, all the parties will evaluate the reservoir management plan to see how it can be improved.

New York City operates three reservoirs in the Catskill region of southern New York State that are located in the headwaters area of the Delaware River. These reservoirs can store more than 276 billion gallons of water.

New Jersey, New York City, and the states of Delaware, New York and Pennsylvania are all parties to a 1954 federal court Consent Decree allowing for shared management of the Catskill reservoirs. New York City releases water from its Delaware Basin reservoirs as part of court-approved Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP). Releases from the city's Delaware reservoirs have been governed by that plan since it was approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in October 2007. The modifications are an update to the FFMP.

Under terms of the modifications:

Fishery officials from all four states and the city will form a panel to advise the city on maintaining water flows and temperatures to maintain a healthy and vibrant fishery.
New Jersey can increase its diversion via the Delaware & Raritan Canal during drought warnings from 85 million gallons per day to 100 million gallons per day. During drought emergencies, the diversion will remain at 85 million gallons per day.

New York City has set an operational goal to maintain its reservoirs at 10 percent below capacity from Sept. 1 to March 15, and an average of five percent below capacity from July 1 to Sept. 1 and from March 15 to May 1. That step could help alleviate river flooding during periods of major storms and heavy snow melt.

Using a high-tech modeling tool, the city's Department of Environmental Protection developed a new formula that dramatically improves the ability to forecast and model water conditions, and make decisions on use of shared resources of the Delaware River in a new and better way. That can improve conditions for fish and other aquatic life in the Delaware River and keep the river's salt line in check. During droughts, this area of brackish water can move up the river and potentially affect industrial and drinking water intakes in southern New Jersey.

Catskill Fly Tyers Guild's Fly Tyers Rendezvous

2011-04-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

April 16, 2011 at the Rockland House in Roscoe, NY from 9AM to 4PM is when the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild will be holding this years Fly Tyers Rendezvous. You will have a chance to sit and talk with some of the best tyers in the country and learn some of their techniques as well.

The Catskill Fly Tyers Guild was formed in 1993 by Floyd Franke and Matthew Vinciguerra as a way to preserve, protect and enhance the Catskill fly tying heritage. Members of the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild believe the development of fly fishing in the Catskill Mountains of New York is synonymous with the development of fly fishing in the United states. This rich heritage is seen as the foundation of the Guild's present efforts in promoting the development of future generations of Catskill fly tyers and in providing a forum for the sharing of information.

For more information on the rendezvous and on the guild, visit their website at: http://www.catskillflytyersguild.org

Delaware River Designated as National Great Water

2011-04-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

Designation highlights the river’s nationalsignificance

TRENTON N.J. – The Delaware Riverhas been designated a “Great Water,” joining 18 other waterways nationwide selectedfor that honor by a national coalition formed to protect waterways of higheconomic, social and environmental importance.

TheAmerica’s Great Waters Coalition, based in Washington, D.C., announced its 2011selections last week. The coalition was formed in 2009 to advocate for therestoration and protection of lakes, bays, rivers and marshes that are rich innatural resources and have a significant impact on their surrounding regions.

TheDelaware River is the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi, flowingfor 330 miles from Hancock, N.Y. to the Delaware Bay, where it empties into theAtlantic Ocean. More than 15 million people in four states depend on theriver’s water for drinking, agricultural and industrial use. The Delawareincludes natural wonders -- three stretches along its course are included inthe National Wild and Scenic Rivers program – and important commercial assets.

“We welcomethe news that the Delaware River has been recognized as a Great Water ofnational significance,” said KellyMooij, Director of Government Relations for New Jersey Audubon. “We lookforward to working closely with our partners in the Delaware River BasinCommission and the coalition to find regional solutions to the challenges ofprotecting the river and its basin. One state acting alone can’t address thecomplex issues involved in managing the resources of a river vital to theinterests of four states.”

Besidesthe Delaware, eight other Great Waters were named by the Coalition on March 22,World Water Day. They are: the New York/New Jersey Harbor, Albemarle PamlicoSound, Colorado River, Galveston Bay, Missouri River, Narragansett Bay, OhioRiver and the Rio Grande. Ten more waterways were honored last year. While the Great Waters vary in geographic locationand physical characteristics, they are plagued by similar problems such astoxic pollution, altered water flows, habitat loss, and destructive invasivespecies.

The Delaware additionally faces newthreats from hydraulic drilling for natural gas, a controversial process knownas fracking.

“Hydrofrackingin the Marcellus Shale formation is one of two imminent threats to the riversystem’s well-being,” said Dan Plummer,board chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River and a member of thecoalition. “A second threat is the inadequate water releases from New YorkCity-owned reservoirs, an issue that has plagued river residents, anglers andother visitors, and the habitat and fisheries in the Delaware system fordecades.”

Other conservation advocates focusedon the significance of the river to wildlife, including threatened andendangered species.

“The Delawareis vitally important to wildlife, too,” said Mooij. “The largest population of breeding horseshoe crabs in theworld comes ashore in Delaware Bay, laying eggs that are an important food foras many as a million migratory birds, including the endangered red knot.”

Margaret O’Gorman, executive director ofConserve Wildlife, also noted the habitat value of the Delaware’s watersand shores.

“Of course the Delaware River is a ‘GreatWater,’ sustaining an incredible diversity of wildlife, both common and rare,along its length,” she said. “The Delaware River has been key to the recoveryof the bald eagle, which has seen statewide populations grow from one pair in thelate 1980s over 80 pairs breeding in New Jersey today. The river also providescritical habitat to the Atlantic sturgeon and sustains shorebird populationswhose continued decline is cause for alarm.”

Thenation’s Great Waters are the backbone of America’s economy, impacting people,businesses, communities and wildlife but, the coalition warned, these watersare under attack. Landmark legislationand funding for restoration efforts that have protected our nation’s waterwaysfor more than three decades are now at risk. Honoring specific waterways is oneway to lend fresh impetus to conservation efforts.

“The ‘Great Water’ designationconfirms the Delaware’s status as a national natural treasure,” said Plummer. “It further inspires us tooppose drilling practices that could sterilize miles of pristine water and tofight for a rational water-release plan that will preserve the Delaware Riverfrom its headwaters to the bay and beyond.”

Across the country, restorationefforts funded by the federal government are producing on-the-ground results. Inthe Delaware River, for example, the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA) made $27.5 million available for restoration projectsthat compensated for a 2004 oil spill by a cargo ship. Projects included damremovals, wetlands upgrades and improvements along the shoreline. Part of another$20.3 million award from the Oil Spill Liability Fund made last year will beused to create 50 acres of oyster reefs off Cape May County. But the work isfar from done, and critical decisions lie ahead, advocates said.

"The Delaware River has anirreplaceable role in this nation's past and present — whether it can have ahealthy and contributing role in our future will be determined by the actionsand decisions of today,” said Maya vanRossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper. “Dangerous gas drilling, irresponsibledredging and increasing pollution are threatening the ability of the DelawareRiver to nourish and support our communities with healthy water, food andjobs. The Great Waters program couldplay an important role in helping us to protect the river for the benefit ofall, now and into the future."

The Coalition calls for prompt actionto ensure the health, safety, and livelihoods of the millions of Americans thatdepend on our Great Waters. These waterways benefit everyone not only becauseof their economic, social, and environmental importance, but because they arenational treasures that support our nation’s economy and provide rich resourcesfor future generations.

“From theGreat Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Puget Sound to the Everglades, GreatWaters are the lifeblood of our nation, driving regional economies, preservingour national heritage, and shaping the daily lives of Americans,” said Theresa Pierno, co-chair for the America’sGreat Waters Coalition and executive vice president for the National ParksConservation Association. “Wecannot afford not to protect our nation’s Great Waters. Whether it is fordrinking, fishing, transportation, recreation, trade, or energy, keeping theDelaware River clean and accessible is essential to our health, happiness, andfinancial well-being.”

The Great Waters Coalitionworks to illustrate to the American public and decision-makers that our waterresources must become a national priority for the security of our economy andway of life. Three main goals drive theCoalition’s work: (1) making therestoration of our Great Waters a national priority, (2) securing sustainablededicated funding for restoration, and (3) enacting and ensuring soundimplementation of restoration. To learn more about the Great Waters Coalition,and to view a complete list of America’s Great Waters, please visit: www.nwf.org/greatwaters

Coalition Formed to Support Delaware River "White Paper"

2011-03-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition made up of the following members, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Trout Unlimited National, New Jersey State Council of Trout Unlimited, New York State Council of Trout Unlimited, Pennsylvania State Council of Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, the Federation of Fly Fishers and Wild Trout Flyrodders is expected to continue growing in it's support for the Joint Fisheries White Paper.

Read the letter below from Dan Plummer, Board Chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River:

March 23, 2011

Dear Friends:

I’m writing to share some very exciting news and to, once again, ask for your help.

For the first time ever, a coalition of key conservation groups has formed to speak with one voice on behalf of the Delaware Watershed. We are uniting behind a proposal that would replace the flawed plan that now governs water releases from New York City-owned reservoirs: the infamous Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP), due to expire (finally and mercifully) on June 1.

The Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition (DWCC), which grew out of an historic meeting last November, was formally introduced in March. Coalition members have agreed to support the fundamentals of the Joint Fishery White Paper as a one-year alternative to the Flexible Flow plan. The White Paper was produced last year by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as an alternative to the FFMP.

The White Paper is not perfect. But it’s much better than the inadequate, irrational yo-yo releases our precious rivers have experienced under the FFMP. Here is what a few of our allies had to say about the White Paper plan:

“Though it’s imperfect, the White Paper is a good starting point for improved resource management for the coming year,” said Stephen Lieb of Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, a New York City-based angling organization that is one of the coalition groups.

Glenn Erikson of the Federation of Fly Fishers, another venerable coalition member, said the increased flow of 20 cubic feet per second recommended in the White Paper for fall and winter would have a positive impact. Speaking about the East Branch, he said the increase would diminish the likelihood of “anchor ice” during winter and would help keep the river cooler in the early fall, when limited flow can cause dangerous temperature spikes.

Like Lieb, Erikson said the plan is not perfect – for example, flow levels could decrease in early September. “This is a real problem,” he said, adding that a proposal that resolves that glitch “should be closely considered.”

“I believe that improving the other rivers is important, but the East Branch already took a hit when the current flow-management plan was implemented, and I would hate to see it take another,” Lieb said.

Before I delve into the background of the new coalition, let me get to the second part of the purpose of this letter: your help.

Even though the White Paper is based on solid science and was created by two government agencies responsible for the health and well-being of the rivers, its approval as the official flow plan is far from assured. Those of us who have observed the mysterious methods of the Delaware River Basin Commission and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection over the years understand that nothing is certain when it comes to water issues.

So we need public support, and we need it now. We are barely two months away from the expiration of the FFMP, so the timing is critical.

We ask that individuals or groups join us in supporting the White Paper plan. It is by far the best choice currently available to replace the FFMP, and it would make a real difference in keeping our ecosystem, habitat and fishery alive. Please contact me at catskilldan@mac.com to join us or for information on how you can help. We are open to all suggestions, including petitions, chain emails, letters to the editor and DRBC commission members, and personal contacts with politicians.

And now some background on the new Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition. I’m pleased to say that the members now include Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Trout Unlimited National, New Jersey State Council of Trout Unlimited, New York State Council of Trout Unlimited, Pennsylvania State Council of Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, the Federation of Fly Fishers and Wild Trout Flyrodders. Other groups are expected to join us, and a number of government entities that cannot publicly acknowledge their support are pulling for us behind the scenes.

I asked leaders of some the coalition partners to share their thoughts about this effort. Here are a few responses:

“The conservation community encompasses a diverse set of organizations, though we share common goals,” said Lieb of the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers. “It is important that decision-makers understand that we have come together on this issue.”

“I feel there are two primary benefits,” said Erikson of the Federation of Fly Fishers. “First is the opportunity for increased discussion between all of us on how we can find the best route to our shared goal, while at the same time respecting the diversity of opinion among us. Second is the potential for added impact if we can truly learn to speak with one voice (without quarreling). I don’t believe I have to add how closely related these two are.”

The power of the coalition is already clear. We were publicly credited with prompting the March 8 Regulated Flow Advisory Committee meeting.

“We wouldn’t be here today discussing any of this if it wasn’t for all of you getting together to make this happen,” said Joe Miri of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and former chair of the committee.

As many of you know, the various groups that advocate on behalf of the Delaware River system have not always agreed on everything. Advocates do not tend to be shy people, and perhaps we have spent too much time and energy focused on our differences rather than our common goals.

At the encouragement of two of our friends, Pete Grannis, former commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and John Arway, executive director for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, we convened a meeting of more than 30 leaders of the various conservation groups last November, after most fly-rodders had put away their gear for the season.

The meeting, called “Water, Water Everywhere: The Future of the Upper Delaware River System,” was held at the Delaware River Club in Starlight, Pa. We had one theme on the agenda: How do we get more cold, clean water in our local rivers? Friends of the Upper Delaware River, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving the ecosystem and cold water fishery of the Upper Delaware system, served as host. In addition to the coalition members named above, participants included representatives from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the National Park Service, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York DEC, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Fish and Wildlife Services, Upper Delaware Council, the U.S. Geological Service, Columbia University and a number of local river guides.

A meeting like this had never happened before, and it was long overdue. We wanted to get as many of the key conservation groups as we could in one room to flush out our differences, capitalize on where we agree, and try to create a single, unified voice that could be used to help save this world-class fishery and bring some much-deserved attention to the area.

The meeting was costly, at $7,000, and complicated to organize. But it was money and time well spent. The session was led by a professional facilitator, Alicia Korten, of Washington, D.C., who was brought in to ensure an effective exchange with a neutral moderator. Korten pre-interviewed many of the players and researched the issues thoroughly, including a review of the 1954 Supreme Court Decree that defines the legal water rights and a careful look at the Flexible Flow Management Program. Participants were locked in the meeting room for 10 hours, even voting to work through lunch. Everyone wanted to take advantage of our precious time discussing a topic they are all very passionate about.

Presentations outlined release plans and legal options. Many topics were discussed openly that had not been touched on in any prior public forum. I believe a new trust was established between certain groups that had been divided by old fissures. Momentum began to build for the united groups to finally achieve their common goal: more water. When the meeting was adjourned and doors unlocked, the group went outside for some much-welcomed fresh air. Outside the lodge in a maple tree, we had hung an 8′ x 10′ canvas painting of an American flag with a leaping trout painted where the stars would normally be. The bottom of the canvas bore the words, “Give Us Water or Give Us Death.” A group photo was taken in front of the flag.

Five months after the “Water, Water” meeting, and after numerous conference calls, emails and many meetings (both private and public), we have a new coalition. We also have an opportunity to strike real change by supporting a common-sense alternative to the FFMP.

Please join us in the fight and pledge your support for the Joint Fisheries White Paper.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

Dan Plummer

FUDR Board Chairman

catskilldan@mac.com

Upper Delaware Council's 23rd Annual Awards Ceremony

2011-03-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

NARROWSBURG – The Upper Delaware Council, Inc. (UDC) will honor individuals, organizations, and projects that have enhanced the quality of life or protected the resources of the Upper Delaware River Valley at its 23rd Annual Awards Ceremony on Sunday, April 17, in Beach Lake, PA.

Reservations at $24 per person are due by April 8 for the banquet that will take place at Central House Family Resort located at 81 Milanville Road in Beach Lake. A cash bar reception begins at 3 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. buffet dinner featuring prime rib, baked salmon, and ham. Pennsylvania Representative Sandra J. Major (111th District), will deliver the keynote address prior to the presentation of awards.

The UDC will bestow awards in the following categories:

Distinguished Service Award – Peter E. Nye, who retired in September 2010 as leader of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Endangered Species Unit, for his successful bald eagle restoration efforts since 1976;

Robin M. Daniels Memorial Lifesaving Award – Lumberland Volunteer Fire Department (NY), Port Jervis Fire Dept. (NY), Port Jervis Volunteer Ambulance Corp. (NY), Sparrowbush Engine Co. (NY), Huguenot Fire Co (NY), Westfall Township Volunteer Fire Dept. (PA), Mill Rift Fire Dept (PA), Matamoras Fire Dept. (PA), and Regional EMS (NY & PA), for their July 31, 2010 night-time rescue of two rafters involving personal injury from an attempted cliff climb at the Hawk’s Nest in the Town of Deerpark, NY;

Partnership Award – Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, for collaboration on the “Recommended Improvements to the Flexible Flow Management Program for Coldwater Ecosystem Protection in the Delaware River Tailwaters” White Paper report released on Feb. 17, 2010;

Volunteer Award – John and Yoke Bauer DiGiorgio of Narrowsburg, NY and Rockaway, NJ, for founding the 10th Annual Narrowsburg EagleFest, and their efforts through programs, publications, and photography to raise public awareness of wildlife conservation and the natural environment;

Recreation Achievement Award – Paul Weamer of Coburn, PA, for his book, “Fly Fishing Guide to the Upper Delaware River” that offers messages on water safety, river etiquette, and conservation, while attracting anglers to the waterways of the Upper Delaware region;

Cultural Achievement Award – Town of Lumberland Cultural Series of Glen Spey, NY, for celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010 of offering diverse cultural programming for the public;

Community Service Award – Friends of the Upper Delaware River, Inc., for advocacy to protect the Upper Delaware River fishery and to support stream restoration work in the Town of Hancock, NY;

Special Recognition Awards (2) – Dorothy Moon, of the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, for overseeing all aspects of the Zane Grey Museum’s renovation from funding to exhibit development for its May 2010 re-opening in Lackawaxen, PA; and Kathleen Michell of Narrowsburg, NY, for her numerous contributions since 1985 to the Narrowsburg and greater river valley communities;

Oaken Gavel Award – Harold G. Roeder, Jr. of the Town of Delaware, NY, for his leadership as Upper Delaware Council chairperson in 2010

All are welcome to attend the UDC’s Awards Ceremony. A download-able reservation form is available at www.upperdelawarecouncil.org. For more information, please contact Public Relations Specialist Laurie Ramie at P.O. Box 192, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY 12764; phone (845) 252-3022; fax (845) 252-3359; or e-mail laurie@upperdelawarecouncil.org.

Upper Delaware Council Responds to Natural Gas Drilling Regulations

2011-03-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

Upper Delaware Council (UDC) approved a letter to the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) stating natural gas drilling should be considered as “heavy industrial uses” therefore not compatible with the river.

The letter refers to the 1986 River Management Plan for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. “We do not believe that [the Plan] ever envisioned horizontal drilling or high-volume, slick-water hydraulic fracturing,” it says in the letter.

The entire seven page letter can be read at: http://www.upperdelawarecouncil.org/press/pdfs/UDC_03032011_DRBC_NGDR.pdf

Forum to Address Threats to Water Supplies in Delaware Basin

2011-03-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

Connecting Four States for Drinking Water Protection

PHILADELPHIA (March 2, 2011) – Threats to sources of drinking water and public health for more than 15 million people in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York will be the focus of a high-level forum in Philadelphia and five satellite locations on March 10.

Government leaders and national water experts will highlight challenges to the quality and quantity of water fed from the Delaware River Basin, a 13,000-square-mile area that includes 838 municipalities in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York.

The Delaware River Basin Forum will feature a central session at the WHYY Hamilton Public Media Commons on 150 North 6^th St., Philadelphia, where speakers will describe current and emerging impacts on water resources basin-wide. The forum will feature state-of the-art interactive technology to link live to five satellite locations, in four states outlining local drinking water concerns.

At the WHYY venue, Tufts University Professor Jeffrey K. Griffiths, one of the nation’s leading experts on waterborne disease and public health, will make the keynote presentation on “Drinking Water: Fact, Fears and the Future” at 12:15 p.m. Morning presentations will include the impacts to public health in the Delaware River Basin from water use, population growth and climate change, and will feature model water protection efforts in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington Township, NJ. EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin will provide opening remarks at 8:15 a.m.

The satellite locations are in Newark, DE; Reading and Stroudsburg, PA; Bordentown, NJ; and Loch Sheldrake, NY.

Information on the forum, including a full lineup of speakers at the Philadelphia location, agendas and directions for each satellite location and background on issues facing the Delaware River Basin is available at http://www.delawarebasindrinkingwater.org/

Nearly 1,000 community water systems depend on water resources in the Delaware Basin, and the water is used extensively for recreation, fisheries and wildlife, energy, industry and navigation.

The Delaware River Basin begins in the Catskill Mountains in New York State and courses through 13,500 square miles of rural and urban landscapes to the Atlantic Ocean.

The forum is sponsored by the Source Water Collaborative, a coalition of 23 national organizations and agencies united to protect sources of drinking water. Local hosts for the forum include the US EPA (Region II and Region III), state environmental and health agencies of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, and the Delaware River Basin Commission.

New York State, City Announce Landmark Agreement To Safeguard New York City Drinking Water

2011-02-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

New 15-Year Water Supply Permit Allows New York City to Continue Acquisition of Sensitive Watershed Land to Protect Largest Unfiltered Drinking Water Supply in the World; Broad Agreement Resolves Numerous Issues to Assist with Economic Vitality of Watershed Communities

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced a new 15-year Water Supply Permit for New York City that continues the successful Land Acquisition Program in the New York City Watershed, which provides safe drinking water to more than nine million New Yorkers, including one million upstate residents in Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. The agreement provides more than $100 million in funding toward an array of programs to limit water pollution. Agreement was also achieved on a number of taxation assessment and hamlet growth areas to assist with the economic health of the watershed towns. Last year, roughly 12,000 acres (some 18.75 square miles) were protected by the New York City DEP and its partner, the Watershed Agricultural Council, making 2010 the most successful year since the inception of Land Acquisition Program in 1997. Since the start of the program, New York City has protected more than 116,000 acres of watershed land that supply more than one billion gallons of drinking water to New York City and upstate residents each day. Prior to the start of the land acquisition program in 1997, the City owned 44,600 acres surrounding its reservoirs. The new permit will allow New York City to continue to acquire undeveloped, environmentally-sensitive lands that are important to the long-term protection of the watershed from willing sellers at fair market value. New York State owns and protects over 200,000 acres of watershed lands.

"Protecting New York City water at its source is the single most effective way to maintain high-quality water," said Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway. "The new 15-year Water Supply Permit will do just that, continuing the highly successful Land Acquisition Program that has been instrumental in maintaining New York City's status as one of only five large cities to receive the majority of its water from unfiltered sources. Since its inception in 1997, the city has invested $541 million in the Land Acquisition Program; in 2010, we acquired 11,978 acres of watershed lands — the most acreage of any year to date. I want to thank the State Department of Environmental Conservation and many other stakeholders for working with the city to extend this vital program. Our cooperation and collaboration with our neighbors upstate will continue as we work together to protect water quality, and at the same time, contribute to the economic vitality of watershed communities."

"There is no substitute for clean water, and through this permit, we enhance safe drinking water protections for over nine million New Yorkers and dramatically expand recreational opportunities throughout the watershed," said DEC Acting Commissioner Joe Martens. "This milestone agreement is the national model for watershed protection, exemplifying the collaborative partnerships we need to make progress. By working together, the State, the City, Towns, farmers and environmentalists have taken a major step forward for our public health, our economy and our future."

"The New York City watershed provides a clean source of drinking water for millions of New Yorkers, and its continued protection is critical to their health," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck. "The renewed water supply agreement limits water pollution in the watershed and provides additional protection through the acquisition of sensitive watershed land. EPA applauds the work of New York City, communities in the Catskills and New York State to safeguard this huge unfiltered drinking water supply for years to come."

This action updates the 1997 Water Supply Permit issued by DEC, when the Memorandum of Agreement was signed by New York City, New York State, EPA, environmental groups, and 77 counties and municipalities in the watershed.

The new Water Supply Permit includes the core provisions of the original 1997 permit. In addition to the city's purchase of land, the Watershed Agricultural Council will continue to purchase conservation easements on farms. Once the land has been purchased, New York City will continue to allow certain recreational uses of the land it acquires. To date, more than 71,000 acres of watershed lands have been opened for such activities as hunting, fishing, hiking and trapping. New York City pays taxes on all lands and easements acquired. The Land Acquisition Program has been a fundamental component of New York City's ability to secure and maintain the Filtration Avoidance Determination, last issued in 2007 by the EPA and now overseen by the New York State Department of Health, which saves New York City at least $10 billion in filtration plant construction costs alone.

The new permit also reflects agreements reached by a large stakeholder group regarding a number of important refinements to the Land Acquisition Program to focus acquisition on properties that contain wetlands, water courses, steep slopes and other land features important to the protection of water quality. Communities west of the Hudson River were given the opportunity to modestly expand their existing hamlet areas to limit New York City's acquisition of land in areas that towns deem essential for future economic growth. Other program refinements include provisions for pilot riparian buffer acquisitions, which allows New York City or a partner land trust to purchase small corridors of land along sensitive streams or rivers that feed upstate reservoirs; and an enhanced land trust program to support efforts to buy special properties in the watershed.

In addition, as part of the agreement, the city and the west of Hudson watershed communities have reached agreement on a program to resolve and avoid tax assessment lawsuits associated with the valuation of the City's wastewater treatment plants, reservoirs, dams, and other city-owned infrastructure. This agreement will help ensure that New York City facilities are taxed appropriately and minimize the potential for future disagreements over assessments, removing a major obstacle to partnership efforts.

The agreement also includes more than $100 million in additional funding commitments to extend or expand protection programs to limit farm runoff, repair residential and commercial septic systems, and assist with stormwater retrofits to preserve water quality by reducing polluted runoff. Funding includes:

* Septic Remediation and Replacement: An estimated $44 million for the remediation and replacement of a minimum of 300 septic systems annually.

* Small Business and Cluster System Program: $4 million to fund repair or replacement of commercial septics for small businesses; $2 million to identify and install wastewater treatment and disposal systems for small groupings of residences.

* Polluted Runoff: Up to $15.5 million in new funding to improve water quality by reducing phosphorus runoff into reservoirs located in Putnam and Westchester counties.

* Septic Maintenance: $1.5 million to provide 50% matching funds to pump out residential septic systems.

* Watershed Agricultural Program: $32 million to install water quality best management practices on farms throughout the watershed.

"The Water Supply Permit is a tangible example of a strengthened partnership," said Coalition of Watershed Towns Chair Dennis Lucas. "The collaboration that took place among the parties that constructed the permit — the watershed communities, the Catskill Watershed Corporation, DEP, NYS DEC, DOH, DOS, the EPA and the environmental communities — has provided for the continuation of water quality programs, expanded areas for future growth and created additional tools to address the concerns of all involved. I am pleased to have been part of the group that produced this new agreement and proud of the accomplishment of those who came together to meet the challenges of a 'Living Watershed' going forward with the new Water Supply Permit. Thank you to everyone for your efforts in problem solving and for giving life to the intent of the Memorandum of Agreement."

"The issuance of this permit represents a major watershed protection milestone; it should help protect the quality and cost of the downstate water supply for decades to come," said Eric A. Goldstein, senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "We commend DEP Commissioner Holloway and his staff, and New York State and watershed community officials, for their vision and commitment and for reaching an agreement that will truly advance the region's best long term interests."

"This water supply permit will allow the land acquisition program and other vital 1997 Watershed Memorandum of Agreement programs to continue protecting New York City's critical drinking water supplies while providing important economic stability for watershed towns," said Cathleen Breen, Watershed Protection Coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group.

"This agreement assures continued funding for CWC programs that benefit both water quality and people in the Catskill-Delaware Watershed," said Catskill Watershed Corporation Executive Director Alan Rosa. "Since its formation 13 years ago, the CWC has worked hard on behalf of member towns and villages, and the residents and businesses of the watershed, and we're pleased that the agreement will allow us to continue this work for many years to come."

"The City's new water supply permit represents yet another major step forward for the cooperative upstate-downstate partnership that took shape in the 1990s, when stakeholders and regulators agreed that the City should avoid the billion-dollar price tag of filtration and instead focus on protecting land and keeping pollutants out of our drinking water," said Paul Gallay, Executive Director for Riverkeeper. "By establishing programs for upstate economic development, infrastructure improvements, conservation, and agricultural and forest easements, this permit maintains the essential ingredients that make the New York City Watershed an international model for ecosystem protection and sustainable development."

"The Delaware County Board approved the Water Supply Permit," said Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Eisel. "The changes introduced by our involvement reflect significant improvement over the originally proposed permit language by introducing measures to secure important economic protections for the towns of Delaware County."

New York City's Watershed Protection Program has been so successful at protecting the integrity of the city's water supply that the United States Environmental Protection Agency awarded the City a 10-year Filtration Avoidance Determination (FAD) in 2007. The 2007 FAD requires the city to continue an active land acquisition program, focusing on properties selected for their water quality protection benefits. The success of the City's Watershed Protection Program overall is one of the main reasons why New York City remains one of only five large cities in the United States that is not required to filter its drinking water. The other cities are Boston, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Since the beginning of the 1997 FAD, the city has committed $541 million to purchase land to protect its unfiltered drinking water which supplies roughly half the population of New York State. DEP has also made unprecedented efforts to balance water quality preservation with the interests and economic vitality of watershed communities. Most properties acquired by the City will be available for public access for compatible activities such as hunting, hiking, trapping and fishing; other land will be opened for economic activity such as timber management, maple syrup harvests, and hay cropping that helps local community businesses.

Delaware River Annual One Bug

2011-02-22T07:57:00.000-08:00

The snow is melting and we are all gearing up for another great year of fishing this spring. With April just around the corner we are happy to announce the dates for the fourth-annual One Bug™ fundraiser. The event will be held on the weekend of April 29, 30 and May 1 and will again be headquartered at the famous Old Capitol Theatre, 170 Front St. in Hancock, NY. As always, the weekend will begin with a reception, banquet and auction on Friday night at the decked-out theatre, followed by two days of team fishing led by the country’s best guides.

The One Bug™ is the most important fundraising event of the year in support of the charitable work of Friends of the Upper Delaware River. Proceeds will be used in our ongoing battle for consistent reservoir releases, habitat and stream improvements and the enhancement and protection of the Upper Delaware’s wild trout fishery and flood mitigation.

The event, which raised more than $50,000 in 2010, celebrates the sport and camaraderie of fly-fishing while boosting the regional economy. We are also pleased to say that the One Bug™ has been a much-needed shot in the arm for the local economy.

Many residents, weekenders, and visitors will receive the 2011 One Bug™ Program allowing your ad to be seen by a select group of people that help support or local economy. We hope you will consider placing an ad with us to help support FUDR’s ongoing efforts to protect and enhance all our community has to offer.

In addition to placing an ad, please consider joining us Friday night – a limited number of tickets are available at $100 each. For more information, go to www.fudr.org , call FUDR at 607-363-7848 or email Dan at catskilldan@mac.com

Thanks – see you at the ONE BUG™!

Dan

Advertising Info:

Full page color ad $100.00 8” x 10”
½ page color ad $ 55.00 8” x 5”
¼ page color ad $ 30.00 4” x 5”

Please email your ad to sherri@fudr.org, with name of business, contact info., and ad size.
Mail your check, made out to, Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR), 1645 Bump Road, East Branch, NY 13756

The Delaware River Management Plan

2011-02-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has released their draft of the The Delaware River Management Plan. The goal of the plan is to protect the river's resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities while also focusing on conservation and aquatic resourses.

The plan's Executive Summary can be read at: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/water/rivers/delaware/delaware_river_plan_exec_draft.pdf

The PFBC is looking for the public to comment on this plan. A web based form is located on the commission's website: http://www.fish.state.pa.us/promo/form/river_plans_delaware.htm

Pennsylvanians Choose Delaware as 2011 River of the Year

2011-01-13T18:03:00.000-08:00

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The people have spoken: the Delaware River is Pennsylvania's River of the Year for 2011.

Chosen for the first time through a public vote, the Delaware bested five other candidates in an online contest that saw more than 10,000 ballots cast from across the state. The Delaware received 2,520 votes.

"The Delaware River is the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi and is steeped in history, diverse in resources, and is vital to protect," Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary John Quigley said. "Its waters serve the needs of more than 15 million people from four different states, including more than 5 million Pennsylvanians. It boasts the largest freshwater port in the world, as well as threatened and endangered species, and a thriving tourism industry.

"A goal of the River of the Year designation is to raise awareness of the river and its conservation needs. The public voting format used to nominate and select the River of the Year for the first time this year certainly generated local enthusiasm for conservation and recognition of the importance of our waterways," Quigley said.

The five other finalists were: Clarion River, Conewango Creek, Kiskiminetas River, Pine Creek, and the Stonycreek River.

DCNR and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, or POWR, administer the River of the Year program. Local organizations submit nominations.

"Although we could only have one winner, each of the waterways that were nominated is special and important in its own way," Quigley said. "Congratulations to all the local groups who nominated their rivers, and rallied support for them not only for this vote, but through all of their activities and advocacy."
POWR helps train and organize local watershed associations, as well as the groups who lead a dozen sojourns on rivers around the state each year.

"The Delaware River is simply an incredible resource – not just for Pennsylvania, but for the nation as a whole," said POWR Executive Director Jon Meade. "To honor it with the River of the Year award reflects the importance of preservation to those who live near it and experience it every day."

There are a number of organizations that work in partnership to support conservation and recreation activities along the Delaware, including: the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC); Delaware Canal State Park; National Canoe Safety Patrol; National Park Service; and Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition.

These groups will organize several events throughout the year, including the 17th annual Sojourn paddling trip, a symposium, photo contest and river legacy fundraiser. The eight-day sojourn will include educational programs, and give paddlers a chance to experience the Delaware River to encourage greater understanding of the river and stewardship needs.

"On behalf of the steering committee and all our partners, I would like to thank everyone who voted for the Delaware. Having the Delaware be Pennsylvania's 2011 River of the Year is truly an honor, especially since it is the people's choice and with this the DRBC's 50th Anniversary year," said Kate O'Hara, co-coordinator of the Delaware Sojourn Steering Committee. "This designation will not only showcase the Delaware and all it has to offer, but also highlight the numerous organizations, agencies, and individual volunteers who work together to protect and enhance the river for future generations."

The Delaware also will be celebrated with an annual Rivers Month poster issued in June.

Pennsylvania's River of the Year has been presented annually since 1983.

For more sojourn event information, visit POWR's website at www.pawatersheds.org or contact Jon Meade at info@pawatersheds.org.

To learn more about DCNR's Rivers Program, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/brc/rivers.
Media contacts: Christina Novak or Terry Brady, 717-772-9101 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 717-772-9101 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

A Bit of a Mid Winter Update From the Upper Delaware River

2011-01-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how the New Year sneaks up on me. The season begins in April chasing rainbows and browns on the Upper Delaware and with a few diversions for striped bass, false albacore, bluefish and steelhead, bang, it's time to shout "Happy New Year!"

January catches me off guard after a busy year of meeting many new fish. The colder days the month brings make it the perfect time to take a short break and reflect back on the past year. It also allows time to look forward to the coming season with all the exciting new plans laid down. Relaxing hours spent at the tying vise daydreaming of hungry fish with the completion of each new fly.

2010 was as interesting as any with some spectacular days on the water and other days that presented a host of challenges not all that different from other years. The one common denominator on each and every day was the camaraderie and the good times we shared.

This coming season there are a few new things coming up. First, not really new, but worth mentioning again is our trip to Patagonia this February. We’ll be hosting several weeks at different locations in Chile. If you’re interested in coming along drop an email or call for more details. There's only a couple of spots open.

This summer is a trip fishing for Atlantic salmon on the Gaspe peninsula in Quebec with my good friend, Glenn LeGrande at his Camp Bonaventure Lodge. This is an excellent Atlantic salmon destination with access to some outstanding water, top notch guides and excellent food and lodging. A trip not to be missed! Drop me a note at crosscurrent@optonline.net if you want to learn more.

There's a new guide on our Delaware River line up. Ryan Furtak is joining us this coming season. Some of you know Ryan from Border Waters Fly Shop where he worked the last couple of seasons and from guiding on the Lake Erie tributaries also. Check the guide page on our website where Ryan’s complete bio will be posted in the near future. Ryan is a hard working, personable and knowledgeable guide whose training as an engineer at Penn State University has him paying attention to the details others often miss.

Some “reel” excitement comes with the unveiling of the Double Haul Club. This has been a yearlong project that has finally come together. We’ll be sending out a separate announcement real soon, but briefly the Club will provide its members with many benefits including discounts on goods and services, savings on sporting travel, and private access on the Upper Delaware and other locations. All the information will be available at the two fly fishing shows we'll be at this winter or drop us a note at crosscurrent@optonline.net for more info.

We’ll be at the Somerset, NJ Fly Fishing Show January 21, 22, 23, 2011 and at the new Philadelphia Fly Fishing Show on March 5, 6, 2011. Stop by our booth for a visit and learn about the new programs we’re offering.

Capt. Joe Demalderis
2010 Orvis Endorsed Freshwater Guide of the Year
www.CrossCurrentGuideService.com

The Colorful World of Black & White

2011-01-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

In the latest issue of Catch Magazine, Colin Archer shares his unique black & white photo essay on the Upper Delaware River System.

Go to: http://www.catchmagazine.net/ and click on the table of contents, then click on Colin's article/essay, In the Shadow of Civilization. You could just browse your way through the magazine too; not a bad idea for some good reading and excellent photography. But when you get to Colin's essay check out the second to last photograph. It's one of my favorites.

The Mercury's Rising

2010-12-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued an updated advisory today about eating fish from waters in the commonwealth. It's not all bad news as seven waterways had their warnings either lifted or eased. But it there is some bad news for the Upper Delarew River.

The DEP has issued a new warning for smallmouth bass in Pike and Wayne Counties. These two counties encompass the entire Upper Delaware River and include all the border water between Pennsylvania and New York. In the case of Pike County part of the border is also shared with New Jersey. All total, this is somewhere around 100 mile of river. What the DEP suggests is that no more than two meals per month be from smallmouth bass from this section of river due to mercury contamination.

Mercury from emissions is thought to be a major contributor. A 2008 study published by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation revealed a similar pattern on the New York side of the river in several lakes in the Delaware River Basin.

Other Pennsylvania waterways with new advisories are:

• One meal per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Shohola Lake in Pike County;
• Two meals per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Lackawanna Lake in Lackawanna County;
• Two meals per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Stephen Foster Lake in Bradford County;
• One meal per month advisory for Smallmouth Bass in the Susquehanna River in Bradford and Wyoming counties;
• Two meals per month advisory for Smallmouth Bass in the Allegheny River in Warren, Forest, and Venango counties;
• One meal per month advisory for Northern Pike in Conneaut Lake in Crawford County; and
• One meal per month advisory for Largemouth Bass in Crystal Lake in Crawford County.

To read the entire press release, including waters with lifted or eased advisories check out this link: DEP Issues Updated Fish Consumption Advisories for 2011

Trout Unlimited Supports Governor's Horizontal Fracking Moratorium in New York, But More Protection Needed

2010-12-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

Arlington, Va. - "On December 11, Gov. David Paterson took a step in the right direction by executing an order placing a moratorium on the issuance of permits for horizontal, hydraulic fracturing until July 2011," said Katy Dunlap, Director of Trout Unlimited's Eastern Water Project. "However, by excluding vertical wells from the moratorium, Gov. Paterson has carved out an dangerous exception and has ignored the will of the people - as expressed by the New York legislature - as well as his earlier statements that gas drilling won't be allowed in New York until we can be sure that it won't harm the environment," Dunlap said.

"The impacts of hydraulic fracturing have not yet been fully assessed by the state and all types of drilling using this technology should be suspended until the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has determined that is safe for the environment and humans. Trout Unlimited calls on Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo to expand the executive order when he enters into office to include vertical wells and to fully protect New York's natural resources from the impact of gas drilling and hydraulic fracturing," Dunlap said.

Trout Unlimited is the nation's largest coldwater conservation organization, with 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America's trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.

The Delaware River Needs Your Vote

2010-12-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

While the Lackawaxen River completes its tenure as Pennsylvania’s 2010 River of the Year, the Delaware River is poised to wrest the title/mantle for 2011. Nominated for this recognition by the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee and Delaware River Basin Commission, the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi is one of six finalists for the designation.

As highlighted in the river’s nomination, ‘Its waters serve the needs of over 15 million people from four different states and hundreds of communities, as well as provide healthy ecological habitat to all forms of life.’

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers administer the River of the Year program, which culminates in a year-round slate of activities and events celebrating the river, including a special extended paddling trip.

The honor is bestowed to raise public awareness about the resource and recognize important conservation needs and achievements. Earlier this year, the Delaware was selected as America’s Most Endangered River by the American Rivers organization for the threats posed to it by natural gas development.

Delaware River lovers can read statements for each of the rivers and cast a vote for their favorite at surveymonkey.com/s/9YM8TSK . Voting ends January 3, 2011 and the winner will be announced later in the month. Spread the word!

Japanese Knotweed

2010-11-04T21:03:00.000-07:00

A group called The Sullivan Renaissance has awarded a grant to Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Inc. for a public education project targeting Japanese Knotweed. This $1,900 grant will go towards meeting the required matching funds required by The Federal Highway Administration National Scenic Byways Program grant that will kick in another $12,900 toward a knotweed education campaign. A series of 4 seminars will be offered at no charge. Participants in these seminars will receive information on mechanical and chemical control of Japanese Knotweed. Also eight information panels will be set up along the route 97 corridor; one for each municipality.

Japanese Knotweed , often called bamboo or monkeyweed is an invasive plant that the World Conservation Union calls one of the world's 100 worst invasive species. That should give you an idea how nasty this stuff is.

Knotweed grows like crazy in dense colonies that choke everything else out. It easily reaching heights of 8 to 12 feet. Once it shows up it's very hard to control let alone eradicate, though there has been some success with herbicides and more recently biological controls like leaf spot fungus and Aphalara itadori which is a psyllid from Japan. Psyllids are plant eating bugs that are usually host specific.

The Delaware River valley is loaded with knotweed. The large colonies have taken over huge expanses of riparian ecosystems driving out native plants. The roots of these plants can go as deep as nine feet and with a cold tolerance of 30 below zero F. One more illustration of how hard it can be to get rid of Japanese Knotweed.

Pennsylvania's Oil & Gas Industry Becomes More Transparent

2010-11-01T10:18:00.000-07:00

DEP Makes Oil and Gas Operations More Transparent with New Online Resources

Information on Well Production, Waste Products, and Violations Now Online

HARRISBURG -- For the first time, Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry production and compliance information is available online as part of the commonwealth’s ongoing effort to make the industry’s operations more transparent.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said the oil and gas public reporting website, which debuted today, allows access to production statistics for oil and gas wells in the state, including historical data. A new, separate webpage also lets users view violation data, by operator, as well as the department’s enforcement measures.

“The public reporting website will create much needed transparency that allows for citizens and policymakers to be aware of the increasing amount of natural gas being generated in Pennsylvania,” said Hanger. “This is an industrial activity that is taking place widely throughout the state. It’s important that families know what is happening in their backyards and whether or not the company drilling there has a good track record of safe and environmentally sound operations.”

The public reporting website, www.marcellusreporting.state.pa.us/ogrereports/, enables users to search all oil and natural gas production data by operator, county or a specific well number. Information on industry-generated waste can be viewed by operator, county or processing facility.

Act 15 of 2010 required Marcellus operators to report to DEP their well production totals from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 by Aug. 15. Subsequent reports on Marcellus production are due every six months. All other oil and gas production besides Marcellus wells must be reported annually.

“It is absolutely essential for the oil and gas industry to be excellent in their operations to protect public health and our environment,” Hanger said. “This information will allow the public to see which operators are leading the way in a safe and environmentally conscious manner and which ones need to address their operating procedures.”

The violation, inspection, and enforcement information is available for 2008 through 2010 to date, including resolved violations for the three-year span. Information for 2010 is available year-to-date or monthly. To view the violation reports, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click on the button that says “Gas Well Violations.”

For more information about oil and gas operations in Pennsylvania, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us and click on “Oil and Gas.”

Stream Bank Stabilization

2010-10-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

The Friends of the Upper Delaware River are currently involved in a stream bank stabilization project that when completed will enhance not only a spawning tributary, but will eliminate much silt from entering the West Branch during rain events and Spring run off.

This tributary is also a critical water supply to the West Branch and many times during periods of minimal reservoir releases can supply the majority of water to the river.

Support this project and others like it by becoming a member of FUDR:

http://fudr.org/?page_id=38

Of Flow & No Flow

2010-10-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

The rains from tropical storm Nicole have passed and left behind a good amount of water in the parched mountains of northeast Pennsylvania and New York's Catskill Mountains. This storm didn't just slip in and out with its life giving water but unfortunately took lives and property from the Caribbean to the US East Coast.

It seems ironic that just a few days ago the powers that be reduced the flow of the Upper Delaware River to a mere trickle threatening the lives of the rivers wild inhabitants. Yet, today the rivers flood. The flow reduction is how the Delaware River Basin Commission and the parties to the 1954 US Supreme Court Decree attempt to hoard the water in New York City's Delaware reservoirs. They see a forecast of rain so they immediately starve the river of water under the assumption that the rain will continue the flow.

What they don't realize is the same same rain that is projected to flow down the river will also flow into the reservoirs thus offsetting any slower, ramped down release from the dams they could have provided. The man-made destruction of aquatic life that occurred this past week was not necessary. And it assuredly was not needed preserve any water in the reservoir.

As the so called water management plan that's in place, known as the Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP) reaches its expiration date, it is urgent that a more common sense plan be adopted. Of all the conservation groups that care about the health of the river there is only one that has the Upper Delaware River as its only focus, and that is The Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR)

I encourage everyone who cares about this wonderful part of the world to join FUDR in its objective 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."

West Branch Flow Is Cut 90 Percent Overnight!

2010-09-28T14:30:00.000-07:00

Reckless Watercrats Endanger Delaware Trout As West Branch Flow Is Cut 90 Percent Overnight

As the critical brown trout spawning season arrives on the upper Delaware River, the government water bureaucracy throttled back the flow out of Cannonsville Reservoir by 90 percent this week—a reckless and irrational act.

“It is incomprehensible how the authorities charged with the stewardship of this famous fishery and its magnificent environment could be so reckless,” says Al Caucci, vice president of Friends of the Upper Delaware River, a nonprofit environmental conservation group. “Under current conditions, more than 50 miles of prime wild trout water on the West Branch and main stem Delaware, from Deposit to Callicoon, N.Y., is in serious jeopardy.”

Water releases from Cannonsville were cut from 1,100 cubic feet per second to 115 cfs overnight Sunday. Within hours, gravel beds were exposed downstream.

If trout spawning has begun, the exposure of the eggs is probably fatal, said Caucci, who has written three reference books about the relationship between trout and aquatic insects, including the seminal “Hatches.” Also imperiled are aquatic insects, dwarf wedge mussel beds and the shad fry trying to make their way downstream to the ocean.

This is the fourth time since May that FUDR has been prompted to issue a “Crisis Alert” over irrational yo-yo dam releases by the water bureaucracy.

“They have proven once again that there is absolutely no stewardship whatsoever by the water authorities in matters of the fishery,” says Caucci.

The Delaware River Basin Commission, a multi-state entity, is charged with overseeing the river system. Also to blame is the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which has extraordinary influence with the DRBC.

Protocols for water-release rates are spelled out in the so-called Flexible Flow Management Program, approved in 2007 by the commission.

FUDR has long been a critic of the program, which leads to heavy flows when trout need it least and a trickle when the fish need it most, like now and during heat waves. FUDR advocates a common-sense release plan that would benefit the wildlife as well as those who live on and visit the river for recreation.

The simple solution, supported by environmental groups and fishery experts, is a steady release of a minimum flow rate of about 600 cubic feet per second out of Cannonsville into the West Branch from April through September. For the past month, water was being released in a muddy torrent at nearly double that rate. As of Tuesday, the flow was measured at one-fifth of FUDR’s target rate.

Last year, FUDR gained assurances from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that any early-fall flow reductions would be done gradually to protect spawning trout.

“And now they close the spigot 90 percent overnight, without warning,” says Dan Plummer, FUDR’s board chairman. “It’s frustrating that our endless discussions with–and promises from–the water bureaucracy lead us right back where we started.”

FUDR has called upon the DRBC to devise a rational water-release plan. The organization is urging the river’s residents, fishing enthusiasts, those who use the river system for recreation, and those in the region who earn a living from outdoors tourism to contact their elected officials or the DRBC to let them know that they value a healthy river and oppose the flawed flow plan.

For photographs of the main stem Delaware River below Hancock, N.Y. that show some of the results of the sudden and unannounced drop in water release from Cannonsville Reservoir, visit www.fudr.org

American Shad Migration in the Delaware River: 2010

2010-09-28T05:36:00.000-07:00

The biologist's at the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission released their annual American Shad Migration Report. Findings show the shad run was the fourth highest since 1997. Good news for a fish that has seen a decreasing trend taking place throughout its range from Florida to Nova Scotia. The decline that has been so bad that the fishery was completely closed this year in New York's Hudson River.

Interesting is the size of females shad have shrunk to 2.4 – 4.9 pounds or 17.1 – 22.2 inches. This has the biologists scratching their heads. Possibilities include a combination of gear avoidance, more younger females from the 2007 year class as three year olds, natural mortality of larger females from the spawning population (i.e., the loss of the 2005 female year class as five-year-olds or they simply did not return to spawn this year), poor young of year survival from the record June 2006 flood, slow growth in the ocean, etc. In contrast, the size of males from the 2010 run were about the same as in past years.

Hopefully the shad run will continue to increase and we can look forward to seeing the abundant runs of the past.

Marcellus Shale Funding Support for Fish and Boat Commission Reccomended By Budget & Finance Committee

2010-09-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Harrisburg, PA - In releasing its triennial performance audit of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today, the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) recommended that the General Assembly “consider providing additional resources to the PFBC so it can continue to make efforts to protect water resources from potential degradation by Marcellus Shale drilling efforts.”

The LBFC audit specifically cited results from PFBC and state Department of Environmental Protection inspections which showed environmental and water quality problems. “These statistics suggest that, in all likelihood, Pennsylvania will continue to experience high rates of environmental, health, and safety violations at Marcellus Shale drilling sites,” the LBFC reported. “Given this new threat, we recommend the General Assembly take action…to ensure the PFBC…has sufficient resources to carry out its mission.”

PFBC Executive Director John Arway, testifying before the committee this morning, reminded lawmakers that the Commission relies almost entirely on fishing license sales, boat registration fees, and federal funding tied to fishing and boating to support everything it does.

“This includes trying to keep pace and stay ahead of the current and projected impacts of energy development to fishing and boating recreation and on the resources the PFBC is mandated to protect,” said Mr. Arway. “If the Commission received a portion of a severance tax, we would be in a much better position to work with industry and other agencies to ensure that aquatic resources are protected during the planning, development, and production of the Marcellus Shale natural gas field.”

Bringing attention to the ongoing debate in Harrisburg, Mr. Arway asked the legislature to take advantage of the “historic opportunity to allocate a portion of the proceeds to conservation and to dedicate a part of its revenues to the Commission to protect the future health of our aquatic resources and the fishing and boating recreation they provide.”

The Marcellus Shale drilling industry has come into Pennsylvania in full force and has substantially increased the responsibilities of conservation agencies like the PFBC. Since 2001, the PFBC has tripled the number of oil and gas well permit reviews it conducts each year, and Mr. Arway said his staff are struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing volume. Within the past year, PFBC staff also have conducted approximately 175 field views of gas well sites and have observed water quality degradation from a number of these facilities.

“This limited field presence is completely inadequate if we are expected to live up to the charge given to us by the General Assembly in 1909 to enforce water pollution laws and – just as importantly – to work with other agencies and the industry to try to prevent problems before they occur," Mr. Arway said.

Referring to the Commission’s formal response found in the appendix of the audit, PFBC Board of Commissioners President William Worobec explained that “we must diversify our funding streams if we are going to meet the growing expectations being placed on the Commission as we implement our mission on behalf of all Pennsylvanians, visiting anglers and boaters, and our fragile natural resources.”

The LBFC’s audit is available online at http://lbfc.legis.state.pa.us.

Fish & Boat Commission to Host Special Session on Marcellus Shale at Quarterly Meeting

2010-09-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will hold its fall quarterly meeting on Oct. 4-5 at the Genetti Hotel and Suites in Williamsport. In addition to the regular meeting, the PFBC will host a special public meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Genetti to discuss water quality issues surrounding the Marcellus Shale drilling industry.

The evening session allows members of the public who cannot attend during normal business hours the opportunity to hear about current issues and to interact with Commissioners, the executive director and agency staff. Titled “Water Quality and Marcellus Shale: An Aquatic Resource Perspective,” the evening meeting will feature several guest speakers.

The agenda includes:

Welcome - John Arway, PFBC Executive Director
Pine Creek Water Dogs - Jerry Walls, Retired Director, Lycoming County Planning Commission
In-Stream Data Loggers - Len Lichvar, District Manager, Somerset Conservation District and PFBC Commissioner
Perspectives, Concerns, and Responses of a Municipal Water Supply - Walt Nicholson, Interim Executive Director, Williamsport Sanitary Authority and Williamsport Municipal Water Authority
Fish and Boat Commission Roles, Observations, and Recommendations - Tom Kamerzel, PFBC Director of Law Enforcement, and Mark Hartle, Chief, Aquatic Resource Section, Division of Environmental Services, PFBC
Closing Remarks - Bill Worobec, President, PFBC Board of Commissioners

Commission committees will meet beginning at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 4, and again at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Formal consideration of the agenda by the full Commission will begin at approximately 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5. All committee meetings and the formal meeting are open to the public.

Commissioners will address a variety of issues during Tuesday’s formal meeting, including property acquisitions in Huntingdon and Blair counties; boating regulation changes; and a final rulemaking order to prohibit the collection of live, freshwater mussels.

A complete copy of the meeting schedule and the full agenda for the meeting can be found on the Commission’s web site at www.fishandboat.com/minutes.htm.

The mission of the Fish and Boat Commission is to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities. For more information about fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, please visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.

Trout Unlimited’s NJ, NY and PA Councils Seek Federal Intervention to Manage the Delaware River

2010-09-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

Bedminster, N.J. - Trout Unlimited’s (TU) New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania Councils are requesting that the federal government intercede to better manage the flows in the Delaware River system.

In order to ensure that a fair and equitable apportionment of the limited resources provided by the Upper Delaware system’s reservoirs is safely afforded to all Parties, Trout Unlimited has formed a three state council workgroup whose mission has been to review the cause & effect impacts to the upper Delaware Watershed. This workgroup’s primary focus has been to review the Delaware River Basin Commission’s (DRBC) Flexible Flow Management Program (which was established in 2007 as a means to regulate flows which dictate the amount of water within the Delaware Watershed) and insure the “program” is indeed providing the water needed for a well balanced watershed.

“The FFMP as a model for water distribution is inadequate and has failed on several occasions over the past two plus years of its existence,” said Richard Thomas. Richard Thomas, the tri-state council chair for TU’s Delaware Conservation Workgroup “We have seen water levels drop and, as a result, expose critical aquatic wildlife and warm water conditions through areas of river which once ran cold, all while reservoir capacity levels are above normal,” Thomas said.

The three TU councils have developed a position paper called, “Root Causes” that spells out the reasons for this request for federal intervention. One reason is “over-drafting” taking more water than is needed, and “withholding,” retaining more water than is needed. Also, the paper addresses practices by New York City as the primary cause of release/flow issues from its dams that have been impacting the Delaware River for more than 40 years.

At issue is the “safe-yield,” that is, the measure of how much water can be continuously withdrawn as an out-of-basin diversion, from the system without causing a detrimental effect of the Upper Delaware system. It also looks at New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection and its inaccurate calculation of its water usage when determining the amount of water to release downstream from its three reservoirs. It is the belief by the TU Councils that New York City has been overdrafting the system and inflating water usage estimates in order to hoard water. The paper explains that this is adversely impacting the ecological health of the balance of the Delaware River and puts this national treasure at risk.

“Without intervention, these TU councils are concerned that the management of the Upper Delaware system will not change and thus the ecological conditions of the balance of the river will continue to deteriorate,” said Ron Urban, New York’s TU Council Chair.

2011 One Bug Dates Announced

2010-09-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) have selected April 29, 30 and May 1, 2011 as for the 2011 One Bug Fly Fishing Tournament on the Upper Delaware River.

Since the very first One Bug, three years ago, FUDR has raised over $150,000 slated specifically for spawning habitat improvements on the tributaries of the Upper Delaware River System. Work has been completed on both Sands and Cadosia Creeks with additional restorations and improvements planned in the near future.

To compete in the 2011 One Bug call Dan Plummer at 607-363-2001or email catskilldan@mac.com

Mismanagement of Upper Delaware River Again Imperils Trout

2010-09-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

September 2, 2010

For more information:
Dan Plummer, FUDR chairman
catskilldan@mac.com
(607) 363-7848

Summer 2010 Crisis Alert No. 3:

The summer season is ending the way it began, with the upper Delaware River’s wild trout at peril from rising water temperatures. Government mismanagement of this precious natural resource is largely at fault.

Friends of the Upper Delaware River, a nonprofit environmental group, is again calling on officials to respond to this emergency by ordering additional releases of cold water from the New York City reservoirs that feed the river.

“We are going to relentlessly keep the pressure on the water bureaucracy until they use some common sense to deal with this recurring crisis,” said Al Caucci, FUDR vice president and a legendary flyfisherman, guide and author. “All they need to do is open the spigot to allow more life-sustaining cold water to flow from the reservoirs. There is plenty of water to go around.”

On Monday, as water temperatures on the river reached 70 degrees in places, the New York City reservoirs were 75 percent full overall, with Roundout at 94 percent of capacity and the Croton system at 86 percent.

Water temperatures were expected to go even higher as air temperatures in the Hancock, N.Y., area were forecast to reach the 90s through Thursday. The river stretch from Hancock downstream to Lordville, N.Y., is regarded as the heart of the Delaware’s wild trout fishery.

Trout are subjected to potentially lethal stress when water temperatures rise above 68 degrees. The aquatic insects essential to keeping the trout healthy are at risk, as well.

FUDR is issuing its third water temperature “Crisis Alert” of the summer. Temperature spikes in late May and a sustained heat wave after July 4th took a deadly toll on the brown and rainbow trout that thrived in the Delaware’s main stem for more than 100 years.

Caucci says it has become abundantly clear that this federally designated National Wild and Scenic River has been subjected to mismanagement by the Delaware River Basin Commission, the multi-state entity charged with overseeing the system. Also to blame is the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which has extraordinary influence with the DRBC.

Water temperatures are based largely on the volume of cold-water releases from the bottom of reservoirs, and protocols for the rates of release are spelled out in the so-called Flexible Flow Management Program, approved in 2007 by the commission.

FUDR has long been a critic of yo-yo water releases from the New York City reservoirs, which often flow heavy when trout need it least and are throttled down to a trickle when the fish need it most. FUDR advocates a common-sense release plan that would benefit the wildlife as well as those who live on and visit the river for recreation.

The simple solution, supported by environmental groups and fishery experts, is a steady release of water that will keep the water temperature below 68 degrees at Lordville.

FUDR and other interested parties have suggested a minimum flow rate of about 600 cubic feet per second out of Cannonsville Reservoir into the West Branch of the Delaware from April through September. Currently, the flow rate often is throttled back to about half that.

Even those who devised the flow plan now admit its shortcomings, but the water bureaucracy has refused to make the adjustments it knows are needed.

At the very least, the bureaucrats must devise a new water-release agreement that includes a rational emergency response mechanism to deal with these inevitable heat crises, or more preferably get a plan in place that actually works.

“It’s time, once and for all, to revamp and modernize the management plan to take into account the health of the river corridor, its fish life and the millions of folks who live here,” said Joe Demalderis, an upper Delaware River flyfishing guide and FUDR board member.

FUDR is urging the river’s residents, fishing enthusiasts, those who use the river system for recreation, and those in the region who earn a living from outdoors tourism to contact their elected officials or the DRBC to let them know that they value a healthy river and oppose the flawed flow plan.

Public Meeting on Hydraulic Fracturing to Take Place in Binghamton, NY

2010-08-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

New York, NY – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has selected a new venue and dates for the public meeting on EPA’s upcoming hydraulic fracturing study originally scheduled for August 12, 2010. The meeting will now be held at the Broome County Forum Theater in Binghamton, New York, on September 13th and 15th, 2010.

Meeting Information:

EPA will hold four identical sessions during a two day session at the same location:

Date: Monday, September 13, 2010

Location: Broome County Forum Theater, 236 Washington St., Binghamton

Time:

• 12:00pm – 4:00pm (pre-registration begins at 10:30am)

• 6:00pm – 10:00pm (pre-registration begins at 4:30pm)

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Location: Broome County Forum Theater, 236 Washington St., Binghamton

Time:

• 12:00pm – 4:00pm (pre-registration begins at 10:30am)

• 6:00pm – 10:00pm (pre-registration begins at 4:30pm)

Transition from the Postponed August 12 Meeting

The four sessions scheduled for September 13 and 15, 2010 will be identical to those already convened in Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The agenda will match that of the meetings previously scheduled for August 12. As with all previous meetings, EPA will make a short presentation at the beginning of each session and registered speakers will then have the opportunity to provide verbal or written comments directly to EPA.

All individuals who pre-registered for the August 12 meetings will retain their registration for the September 13 and 15 meetings. Because the timing of the sessions has changed from a one-day event to a two-day event and EPA has added another meeting session, EPA needs pre-registered individuals to specify the session they would like to attend.

1. Pre-registered speakers for the August 12 session will be sent an e-mail from the Cadmus Group requesting they select one preferred session in which to provide verbal comment. The email notification will provide instructions on how to choose a session. Speakers who pre-registered using the telephone registration will be contacted by Cadmus by phone to confirm their preferred session.

2. Pre-registered attendees (those who opted not to give verbal comment) will be asked to indicate the session they would like to attend via the registration website. The registration website is located at http://hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com and will open beginning at 9:00 am on Friday, September 3, 2010.

EPA is expecting room-capacity crowds at the Binghamton meeting sessions. Pre-registering to attend the meetings will help EPA plan the meeting logistics and increase the likelihood that individuals will be able to attend their preferred sessions. Individuals may pre-register for the meetings online at http://hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com or by calling 1-866-477-3635 (toll free). Online and telephone registration will remain open through 5:00 pm, September 10, 2010. Those who are not pre-registered may still register to attend or provide verbal comment on the day of the meeting. Verbal comments from individuals registered on-site will be accommodated as time allows.

EPA encourages the public to submit written comments on the proposed study, and relevant information and data by e-mail at hydraulic.fracturing@epa.gov through September 28, 2010. Please write “Hydraulic Fracturing Study – Comments” in the subject line of the message. Written comments may also be hand-delivered at the public meetings or sent to EPA at the following address:

Jill Dean

1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Mailcode 4606M

Washington, DC 20460.

EPA looks forward to receiving more public input on the upcoming research study on the potential relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water.

For additional questions or comments, please email hydraulic.fracturing@epa.gov or call 1-866-477-3635. Meeting information may be found on the EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study website at http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/wells_hydroout.cfm.

Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP to senn.john@epa.gov by 5:00 pm, September 10, 2010. There will be a separate media registration table at the venue. The Forum Theater will be equipped with a mult box and Internet access

PA Fish and Boat Commission to Make Case for Severance Tax

2010-08-31T10:48:00.000-07:00

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director John Arway will be the featured speaker at a special evening program being hosted by the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Clean Water Institute of Lycoming College to discuss Marcellus Shale. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on September 22 in Room D-001 of the Academic Center on the Lycoming College campus.

Joining Mr. Arway at the meeting will be William Worobec, president of the PFBC Board of Commissioners. Mr. Worobec represents the Commission’s 5th District, which includes Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga and Union counties.

Mr. Arway will offer the Fish and Boat Commission’s perspective on the current and potential impacts of Marcellus development to aquatic resources, fishing and boating. He will explain the Commission’s role as it relates to enforcing pollution laws and advising on Marcellus activities and make the case for enactment of the proposed severance tax. He will also describe the authority to enforce water pollution laws vested in the Commission as far back as 1909 and the important roles that Commission staff continues to play in making sure that Marcellus and other projects are designed and implemented with as little impact to the resource as possible.

Mr. Arway will explain how the Fish and Boat Commission wants to help the industry protect our waters and habitats and comply with the environmental laws that the General Assembly promulgates. Most people do not realize that the Commission relies almost entirely on fishing licenses, boat registrations, and federal funding tied to fishing and boating to pay for everything it does. This includes trying to keep pace and stay ahead of the curve on the current and projected impacts of Marcellus development to fishing, boating, and the resources the Commission is entrusted to protect.

In a sneak preview of his talk, Mr. Arway noted, “If we received a portion of a severance tax, we could take a collaborative approach with both the industry and the other agencies that are reviewing and advising on projects. Ultimately, we would like to have Commission staff in position to spend the necessary time reviewing and commenting on projects, working in the field with developers and other agencies and enforcing the water pollution laws of the Commonwealth to make sure our resources are protected. I truly believe that the public expect that service from us, and the resources under our jurisdiction depend upon it to survive.”

Mismanagement Imperils Trout

2010-08-30T18:22:00.000-07:00

With the National Weather Service forecasting high temperatures for the Upper Delaware River Region approaching or reaching 90 degrees through next Thursday, the Upper Delaware River can find itself in peril of over-heated river temperatures threatening the survival and health of its wild trout population.

Similar crisis of high water temperatures earlier most of the summer have already taken a major toll on the Main Stem brown and rainbow trout that that have called this river home for more than 100 years.

It's not the high temperatures alone that create this peril, but the continued mismanagement of this National Wild and Scenic River by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and its adherence to its adoption of a proven failed river management plan known as the Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP). Low releases throughout most of the summer, followed by erratic high releases, then drops to lower releases are harmful to the trout and the environment.

What is needed, and what leading environmental groups and fisheries agencies are advocating for a robust fishery, is a constant release that will keep the water temperature at Lordville on the Mainstem under 68F degrees. It has been proven that this can be accomplished without jeopardizing the NYC water supply. Even the authors of the current plan now admit to major short comings and yet the water authorities refuse to make any changes.

Inaction has resulted in serious degradation of the riverine ecosystem and not only places the trout at harm but many other fish species and benthic wildlife. It's time, once and for all, for the complete revamping and modernization of the management plan to take into account the health of the river corridor and its fish life and the millions of people that live downstream. The Delaware River is the longest free flowing, un-dammed river, east of the Mississippi.

It's no wonder that American Rivers, a leading river environmental group placed the Upper Delaware River #1 on its list of imperiled rivers this year.

Fly Fishing Hall of Fame 2010

2010-08-26T18:43:00.000-07:00

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) is proud to present the Fly Fishing Hall of Fame Class of 2010 to be honored in a ceremony and dinner at the CFFCM at 3 PM on October 9, 2010.

The new inductees are: Louis Rhead, Jack Gartside, John Randolph, and Art Lee.

Read the complete story on the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museums website:
www.cffcm.ne t

Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) Annual Membership Drive

2010-08-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) is holding their annual membership drive. Below is a letter from Dan Plummer, Chairman of the Board of FUDR highlighting some of the accomlpishments and goals of FUDR.

Membership in FUDR is available in several levels:
Individual: $35.00
Family: $60.00
Patron: $100.00
Sponsor: $250.00
Benefactor: $500.00
Grand Benefactor: $1000.00

An easy online membership application can be found at: http://fudr.org/?page_id=38

FUDR started the 2010 season with our third annual One Bug™ fundraiser, held again this year in Hancock. It was bigger and better than ever. Fourteen teams competed, and with your help we raised more than $52,000 to benefit the local economy and support FUDR’s work protecting the fishery and habitat. Many healthy wild rainbows and browns were caught and CPR was performed on all fish: Catch, Photograph and Release. Thanks again to our loyal friends who joined us in this great way of celebrating the new season.

FUDR hired its first employee in January 2010. Sherri Resti of Hancock has joined our team as Executive Secretary. She has already proven to be a huge help in making FUDR operate more effectively and efficiently.

With summer comes the sad reality that the Upper Delaware continues to be subjected to the government’s mismanagement. FUDR remains the leader in challenging officials in our ongoing effort to protect and improve the world-class wild trout fishery on the West Branch, East Branch and Main stem of the Delaware River, while also addressing flood mitigation for the safety of local residents and visitors to the area.

Our greatest challenge is still addressing the inappropriately named Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP). Implemented in September 2007, the program’s shortcomings have become more apparent as time goes by. We have seen little “flexibility,” and we have yet to see any beneficial “flow.” The FFMP simply does not provide the consistent cold-water bottom releases the wild rainbows, brown trout and insect life need to survive. The rivers have recently experienced two stretches in which water temperatures soared into the high 70’s and low 80’s from Hancock to Callicoon. And while the fragile river ecosystem was starved for cold water, the reservoirs that supply the East and West Branches of the Delaware sat at above 90 percent capacity. This simply does not make sense. With water temperatures soaring due to the flawed plan, countless insects were killed, habitat was destroyed and lives of all trout and wildlife disrupted.

FUDR has formed strong partnerships with other conservation groups and several anti-flooding interest groups to contest the current FFMP. FUDR called on the parties responsible for the faulty water release plan to overhaul the program to insure the safety of the residents along the river and to protect the fishery and habitat. Along with your efforts, FUDR helped stop the final approval of the FFMP, and FUDR hopes to be an integral part of the team designing a new release plan that will actually work.

The protection of our wild rainbow trout is a big concern. According to New York State catch records, the population of the rainbows has significantly dropped in recent years. The decline is attributed to high summer water temperatures in the Main stem and the loss of crucial spawning habitat in our tributaries. FUDR’s One Bug™ annual fundraiser over the last three years has raised nearly $100,000. We have committed to spending the majority of these funds on restoring Sands and Cadosia Creeks. FUDR, the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Delaware County and the Town of Hancock have partnered to protect the lives and property of local residents and our precious wild rainbow and brown trout through continued stream restoration efforts in our area.

FUDR has taken a strong stand to protect residents and our resources from the threats of hydrofacking in the Marcellus Shale formation. We feel the industry is not ready to drill safely in our communities and the threats far out way the benefits at this time. FUDR agrees with many other residents and environmental organizations that the gas industry is not ready to drill in our basin safely and we will do all we can to prevent an accident that could cause harm to our health or pollute our waters.

We have hard work ahead if we are to meet our goals, and we need your help! Your donations, ideas and efforts are crucial as we try to convince government agencies that, when smartly managed, there is ample water available to satisfy all downstream users while allowing our fishery to reach its full potential. We are closer than ever to getting a release plan in place that will work, so continued diligence is crucial at this critical stage. I would like to thank all of you who have helped FUDR in the past and welcome all willing to help us in the future. We can’t do this alone, so please join us in protecting this amazing resource.

I am sure this letter contains too much information for some and not enough for others. Please know that I am personally available by email or phone to address any concerns or questions you may have. I’m always willing to listen. FUDR has extremely dedicated board members who receive no financial compensation for the countless hours they spend on this work. No other organization understands the needs of the Upper Delaware River better than FUDR. With your help, we can continue to fight valiantly for the health and safety of local residents, visitors and our beloved Delaware River system.

FUDR is a non-profit 501c-3 organization so please consider a tax-deductible donation; anything you can do will help. Please visit the FUDR web site at www.fudr.org for more information. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Dan Plummer, Chairman of the Board
Friends of the Upper Delaware River
catskilldan@mac.com
607-363-7848

Mid August 2010 Upper Delaware River Fishing Report

2010-08-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

Releases from Cannonsville Reservoir on the West Branch of the Delaware have been very consistent for the past two weeks with releases exceeding 1,000 CFS. These heavy releases have resulted in the Main Stem of the Delaware becoming cold enough to trout fish almost as far down river as Callicoon.

Hatches have been good on most days with overcast and partly cloudy days providing dry fly fishing almost all day long on the West Branch. Flies hatching are tricos, olives, some sulfurs, Cahills and isonychia. As the end of the month nears, flying ants should start showing up in big numbers. These ants are readily eaten by the trout and run from a size 10 to 22 in both black and brown/cinnamon.

When there is no apparent insect activity fish can be taken on nymphs and streamers. Pheasant tail nymphs, copper Johns and princes are good go to flies for nymphs and white zonkers and woolly buggers should turn some heads when streamer fishing.

Smallmouth bass fishing on the Delaware has been very good to excellent. On the fly rod, Clouser's, woolly buggers, meat sticks, zonkers and various saltwater style streamers have all been working well. Poppers and sliders bring their share of fish to the surface. For the spin or bait caster, sienko's, swim jigs, tube jigs, stick baits, jerk baits and surface lures all produce well. This time of year the bass start to key on the thousands of baby shad in the river so choosing a size and color become easier but don't hesitate to change if the action slows.

Our weekly fishing report for the Upper Delaware can be found at: Delaware River Report

Real time water flow date along with other information can be found here: Delaware River Water Flow Data

The Nature Conservancy in Delaware - Delaware River Basin

2010-08-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

The Nature Conservancy in Delaware - Delaware River Basin

The Delaware River begins its 400-plus-mile journey in New York’s Catskill Mountains, where cool springs establish the river’s East and West branches. Further south, the branches meet in Hancock, New York to form one of the only free-flowing major rivers remaining in the eastern United States.

With more than 300 miles designated “wild and scenic,” the Delaware is a river of tremendous biological, economic and cultural significance. Nearly 20 million people along the East Coast rely on its water for drinking and industrial purposes. They share the resource with shad, sturgeon, eel and other species that migrate through the river. Anglers and kayakers enjoy the Delaware’s scenic beauty, protected in places by five national park properties.

Read the rest at: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/delaware/preserves/art31831.html

Stream Surveillance Training in Marcellus Shale Region

2010-08-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Trout Unlimited Provides Stream Surveillance Training to Pa. Members in Marcellus Shale Region

For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Deb Nardone, Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited (814) 359-5233
Trout Unlimited Provides Stream Surveillance Training to Pa. Members in Marcellus Shale Region
Anglers will learn how to conduct water quality assessments.

Pleasant Gap, Pa.-- Trout Unlimited (TU) and its Pennsylvania Council have initiated a new program to train Pa. volunteers to use stream surveillance activities that monitor the impacts of Marcellus Shale development on streams where gas drilling is occurring.

Aimed at monitoring water quality in rivers and streams throughout Pennsylvania’s Marcellus region, the program will train volunteers to become part of its Coldwater Conservation Corps (CCC), a group that will serve as stream stewards. They will conduct routine surveillance and monitoring of local waters by taking water samples, measuring stream flow and conducting visual assessments.

“Protecting coldwater fisheries is an integral part of TU’s mission and with over 11,000 TU members in Pennsylvania, we have the opportunity to take an active role in stream surveillance activities throughout the Marcellus Shale region,” said Elizabeth Maclin, TU’s Vice President for Eastern Conservation. “As gas drilling activities increase, so does the potential for accidents and errors. It’s important to train anglers and other sportsmen and women to be the eyes and ears in their home waters,” Maclin said.

TU will conduct a series of these trainings throughout the Marcellus region. The first training for TU volunteers was held on July 17 in Emporium, Pa. Additional trainings will be scheduled this fall.

Rivers and streams face numerous risks from drilling and extraction of gas, including increased erosion and sedimentation, water quantity and quality impacts due to water withdrawals for hydraulic fracturing and potential contamination problems associated with wastewater.

“We want to ensure that sportsmen and women play an integral role in preventing the destruction of important headwater habitats—the places where we fish and hunt,” said Dave Rothrock, president of TU’s Pennsylvania Council. “We must make sure that these rivers and streams remain healthy for future generations.”

TU is piloting the program in the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed through a grant from the Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council and its Sinnemahoning Watershed Grant Program. Additional funding provided by The Heinz Endowments will allow TU to implement the program statewide.

The Endowments supports efforts to make southwestern Pennsylvania a premier place to live and work, a center for learning and educational excellence, and a region that embraces diversity and inclusion.
For additional information about the TU CCC program, contact Deb Nardone at (814) 359-5233 or dnardone@coldwaterheritage.org [1].

Hot Water Conditions Display Fatal Flaws In Delaware River Water Release Plan

2010-07-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

Unprecedented warm water temperatures on the upper Delaware River this summer prove that the current river management plan does not work and must be revised, according to a nonprofit conservation group.

“The water bureaucrats will try to blame the weather,” said Dan Plummer, board chairman of Friends of the Upper Delaware River. “But after a wet and chilly spring and early summer, river temperatures reached a crisis level after just a few days of above-average temperatures. That points to mismanagement.”

FUDR says the hot water temperatures have placed fish, aquatic insects and the general well-being of the river system at peril due to insufficient cold-water releases from the region’s reservoirs. Water temperatures have consistently exceeded 80 degrees during July on the main stem of the Delaware at Callicoon, N.Y., where fishing traditionally has been great this time of year.

“I made a living guiding in that part of the river for years,” said Joe Demalderis, the 2010 Orvis Guide of the Year. “That stretch is lost to fishing under the release plan. The fish need cold water, and 80 degrees won’t cut it.”

Water temperatures are based largely on the volume of cold-water releases from the bottom of reservoirs, and protocols for the rates of release are spelled out in the so-called Flexible Flow Management Program, approved in 2007 by the multi-state water bureaucracy.

Longtime river observers, including a number of respected guides and the likes of FUDR board member Al Caucci, say the FFMP does not satisfy the needs of the fishery. FUDR has long advocated for a minimum release of 600 cubic feet per second from the Cannonsville Reservoir on the West Branch of the Delaware from April through September.

In recent weeks, vast numbers of dead fish—mainly white suckers but including some trout and American shad—have been observed in the river. Incredibly, some have publicly touted this as an example of the effectiveness of the FFMP--fish are dying, they say, but only bottom-feeding suckers.

It’s an absurd spin on a crisis, said Plummer.

“The presence of dead fish, no matter the species, is a clear sign of an emergency,” he said.

On the first day of summer, FUDR issued a “crisis alert” predicting deadly water temperatures as a result of reservoir releases that had been throttled back to 420 cubic feet per second out of Cannonsville, even though the reservoir was 92 percent full.

The crisis came to pass in early July, when air temperatures reached the mid- and upper 90s as a warm front stalled over the area. Water temperatures in the main stem soon spiked above 80 degrees.

On July 4, after intercession by FUDR, River Master Gary Paulachok recognized the potential crisis and gained approval from the water bureaucracy to increase the flow through an “extraordinary needs” provision of the flow management plan. But here’s the catch: the “extraordinary” solution could be used for just three days. After 72 hours of temporary relief for the aquatic life, the Cannonsville release valves were cranked back down.

It was a keystone example of the ineffectiveness of the Flexible Flow Management Program, said Plummer.

On July 9, as the extra water was ending--despite reservoirs at nearly 90 percent of capacity--Plummer donned scuba gear and spent four hours surveying the fish in a pool near the Buckingham Access, fewer than 4 miles downstream from Hancock near the East-West branch junction. He found hundreds of eels, a handful of bass and a few dying American shad. He did not see a single trout, dead or alive. The water temperature in the pool was a consistent 77 degrees, top to bottom.

Once again, Friends of the Upper Delaware River implores the Delaware River Basin Commission and the water bureaucracy to devise a new water-release agreement that includes a rational emergency response mechanism to deal with inevitable heat crises.

“We all have to face the fact that the current plan is not working,” said Plummer. “The inability of the various government entities responsible to respond with a rational, useful solution to the warm July weather makes this painfully obvious, especially to the trout.”

Oil and Gas Drilling Reforms

2010-07-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Arcuri, Hinchey Continue Fight to

Strengthen Oil and Gas Drilling Reforms

Call on House Leadership to Ensure Onshore Drilling and Development .

Regulations are Included in Gulf Oil Spill Response Legislation Headed to House Floor

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Michael Arcuri (NY-24) and Maurice Hinchey (NY-22) continued their fight to strengthen oil and natural gas drilling reforms by calling on House Leadership to ensure that legislation headed to the House Floor in response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico includes regulations and oversight to onshore as well as offshore development activities.

“Natural gas and oil drilling accidents that occur onshore can be just as environmentallydevastating as those that occur offshore,” said Arcuri. “If the BP oil spill has taught us anything, it is that the oil and gas industries are incapable of regulating themselves, and that Congress must act swiftly to enact additional reforms and oversight in order to prevent a future catastrophe—on land or at sea. That is why Congressman Hinchey and I have called on House Leadership to ensure legislation coming to the House Floor in response to the Gulf spill doesn’t continue to allow big oil and gas to cut corners when drilling in our communities as well as offshore.”

“The BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, along with scores of spills related to oil and gas drilling throughout the country, make it clear that we cannot and must not trust industry and lobbyist assurances regarding the safety and risks associated with drilling, regardless of whether they are talking about offshore or onshore activities,” said Hinchey. “That is why Congressman Arcuri and I are urging Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer to ensure that the rules and regulations we put in place toprotect our water resources and local economies from drilling don't stop at the ocean's edge. Local industries and families have already been devastated by the negligence of energy companies in the Gulf. We shouldn't wait for an environmental catastrophe to happen onshore before we pass commonsense legislation that ensures that all drilling companies are held to the highest possible environmental standards.”

On Friday, Arcuri and Hinchey were joined by several other colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer requesting that as legislation considered in response to the BP oil spill, the scope of environmental and safety regulations placed upon the oil and natural gas industries is notlimited to only offshore drilling and development activities. Legislation removing exemptions and increasing regulations and oversight of oil and natural gas development, has come out of the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure and will be considered on the House Floor in the coming weeks.

The oil and gasindustries enjoy exemptions from nearly every major piece of environmental protection law that Congress has enacted to ensure public health by preserving our clean water and air. They are currently the only industries that are exempted from complying with key elements of the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Significant incidents, including spills and well blowouts similar to what happened at the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling site, have occurred recently at onshore drilling sites in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Both Arcuri andHinchey have offered legislation that would remove exemptions granted to the oil and natural gas industries through the Energy Policy Act of 2005 as part of an ongoing commitment to ensure that oil and gas development is conducted in a manner that does not threaten public health or the environment.

Most recently, an amendment authored by Arcuri was included into the Oil Spill Accountability and Environmental Protection Act of 2010 (H.R. 5629), which was reported favorably out of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. This amendment would remove the special exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stormwater permit requirements through the Clean Water Act when constructing oil and natural gas drilling sites, helping to protectsurface water from drilling site runoff contamination.

Additionally, the FRAC Act, legislation co-authored by Hinchey and co-sponsored by Arcuri, would remove an exemption through the Safe Drinking Water Act for the hydraulic fracturing technique administered by the natural gas industry. The FRAC Act would also require the oil and gas industry to disclose the chemicals they use in their hydraulic fracturing processes. The bill is currently before the House Energy and Commerce Commit

Study of Water Impact on Delaware River From Gas Drilling

2010-07-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

Hinchey, Holt, Sestak Secure House Panel Approval of

$1 Million to Study Cumulative Water Impacts of

Natural Gas Drilling in Delaware River Basin

Washington, DC- Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) andCongressman Joe Sestak (D-PA) today announced that they have securedapproval from a key House panel of $1 million for the U.S. GeologicalSurvey (USGS) to conduct a cumulative impact study on water withdrawalsfor hydraulic fracturing of Marcellus Shale natural gas wells in theDelaware River Basin. The House Appropriations Committee Subcommitteeon Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies this week approved thefunding for the study, which would be conducted in partnership with theDelaware River Basin Commission (DRBC).

"The expected scope of hydraulic fracturing in the Delaware River Basinand the prodigious water withdrawals for this process raise importantquestions and concerns about the cumulative impacts of natural gasexploration and drilling in the Basin. It is estimated that more than30,000 natural gas wells could be developed in the Upper Delaware RiverBasin in the coming years, and it is critical that we understand theimpacts of these proposed activities upon the water resources of theBasin," said Hinchey, who in April called on the DRBC to conduct acumulative impact study. "With over 15 million people relying on theDelaware River for clean drinking water, we simply cannot allowdrilling to move forward without first giving full scrutiny to thecumulative effects on water resources throughout the region."

“Hydraulic fracturing poses a possible health and environmental threatto the millions of people who make their home in the Delaware Riverwatershed and the almost 10 percent of the nation’s population who relyon these waters for drinking, recreational, and industrial use. Weshould not put these invaluable resources at risk. This funding wouldensure that the Delaware River Basin Commission assess the cumulativeimpacts of oil and gas drilling before considering hydraulic fracturingproposals,” said Holt.

“There is extraordinary economic potential associated with thedevelopment of Marcellus Shale resources,” said Sestak. “However, asthe oil spill in the Gulf and the recent explosion in ClearfieldCounty, Pennsylvania reminds us, there is also great risk. One way toensure proper development is understand the potential impacts. That iswhy I supported the funding of the cumulative effects of drilling andoperation of gas wells on the water supply in the Delaware RiverBasin. With information from the study, we can make educated decisionson how best to minimize the impacts of drilling, while enhancing thebenefits.”

The study will evaluate the cumulative impacts on water supply andresources from additional water consumption for hydraulic fracturing,landscape alteration due to gas well pad development, and changes inwater quality resulting from water discharges within the Basin.

Over 15 million people, including New York City and Philadelphiaresidents, depend on the water resources of the Delaware River Basin.While property owners and local businesses could benefit economicallyfrom drilling activities in the Basin, the study is necessary to ensurethat these individuals as well as other stakeholders throughout theBasin are not adversely impacted by any Marcellus Shale natural gasdevelopment and that the region's water resources are fully protected. The cumulative impact analysis will help to inform and guide DRBCmanagement policies and practices that both enable economic progressand also ensure protection of public health and the environment. TheDRBC has regulatory jurisdiction over all water withdrawals anddischarges for Marcellus Shale drilling in the Delaware River Basin.

Hinchey continues to be a leading voice in federal efforts to protectdrinking water and the environment from the risks of hydraulicfracturing. In April, Hinchey wrote to DRBC Executive Director Carol R.Collier to urge the agency to conduct a cumulative water impact studyprior to permitting individual gas drilling projects in the Basin. InMarch, the EPA announced that it had initiated a study on theenvironmental risks of hydraulic fracturing based on legislativelanguage Hinchey authored. Last year, Hinchey, Congresswoman DianaDeGette (D-CO), and several of his colleagues introduced the FRAC ACT-- Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act, whichwould close the loophole that exempted hydraulic fracturing from theSafe Drinking Water Act and require the oil and gas industry todisclose the chemicals they use in their hydraulic fracturingprocesses. Holt and Sestak have co-sponsored the legislation.

Hinchey and Holt currently serve as co-chairs of the CongressionalDelaware River Task Force, a bipartisan group of members of the U.S.House of Representatives from all four basin states (Delaware, NewJersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) that coordinate congressionalefforts to promote the restoration and vitality of the Delaware RiverBasin and its communities.

Upper Delaware River Fishing Reports

2010-07-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

The Upper Delaware River System is a diverse fishery that changes seasonally and often times even daily. What is commonly referred to as the Upper Delaware is really three rivers; the West Branch, East Branch and Main Stem.

The Upper Delaware is a tailwater system with bottom release dams feeding the East & West Branches. The West Branch is the shorter river, some 15 miles from the dam to its junction with the East Branch, and as such provides the greatest influence of cold water to the Main Stem. It also can remain cold enough throughout the season to support an excellent wild trout fishery.

The East Branch is longer, about twice the length of the West Branch and provides little or no cold water to the Main Stem. The very upper few miles stay cold all season and provide an excellent spring creek type fishery for wild and hatchery trout. In the Spring & Fall the entire river is cold enough and hosts a fair number of transient spawning fish.

Conditions and fishing activity can be followed here where daily updates are usually provided: Fly Fishing The Upper Delaware River

Real-time water flow information for pertinent USGS river gauges, including water temperature where available are found here: Water Flow Data

Bookmark this page to stay in touch with the conditions and fishing on the Upper Delaware River.

Summer Trout Fishing on the Upper Delaware Delaware River

2010-07-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

The explosion of life that takes place during the first six weeks of each season is truly impressive. Mayflies are hatching everywhere. Fishermen also seem to be hatching everywhere! Then late June arrives. The Glory Hatches are over... or are they?

When you get to the summer months the names of the bugs change. Stenos, Cahill, slate drake, isonychia, and terrestrials enter your entomological vocabulary. You also need to change tactics in order to succeed. Wild trout move into better habitat, call it their summer homes. They adjust their feeding activity to avoid predators and at the same time capitalize on the available food supply.

A good part of the Upper Delaware system is supplied with cold clean water throughout the months when most other eastern trout fisheries are put on hold until the cooling days of autumn. Sometimes the river doesn't receive the amount of water it really needs and other times heavy rains provide too much, but in any event, the fishing remains worthwhile if you match your efforts to the conditions.

The lower East Branch, Main Stem and the lower portions of the West Branch often become warm and unfishable. That's when you do what the trout do; seek out colder water. This time of year your most important piece of equipment is a stream thermometer.

In your search for the cold water the fish call home, your best strategy is to move closer to the source. Moving up river until you find water in the low sixties or colder will do the trick. During heat waves and minimal reservoir releases this is from approximately the New York State Line and upriver on the West Branch, and often in the shadow of the dam on the East Branch.

Time of day is another important consideration. During low water release periods, the mornings and evenings are cooler, and the low light conditions make the trout feel a little more secure from predators. Things change when the reservoir releases 500cfs or more of water for several consecutive days. Daytime insect activity will increase with the higher flows and the abundant food supply brings out the fish throughout the day.

Tackle selection and fly pattern style differ little from earlier in the season. A nine foot, four, five, or six weight still work fine. You may want to lean more towards the four and five weights and a little softer tip to protect the lighter tippets you'll be using, but your favorite rod you use other times will still work fine. Tippet spools of 5X, 6X, & 7X and an assortment of dry flies and nymphs take care of the terminal end.

Your dry fly box should contain sulfurs, Cahills, caddis, isonychia, blue wing olives, tricos, spinners and terrestrial. Emergers, comparaduns, parachutes and thorax styles will be your most productice patterns.

For nymphs and wet flies, an assortment of bead head pheasant tails, regular pheasant tails, partridge and yellows, partridge and greens, isonychia nymphs, zug bugs, princes, leadwing coachman, copper Johns and caddis pupa will cover the subsurface action. Don't forget to have a few streamers stashed in your vest either. During higher water times or when Summer storms dirty the water, stripping streamers is a proven tactic for hooking up with some big browns.

Summer fishing is at a more leisurely pace than the Spring and keeps you on your game for the last hurrah's of Autumn.

For a fun guided day of summertime fly fishing contact Cross Current Guide Service & Outfitters

The Unknown Smallmouth Bass River

2010-07-11T22:24:00.000-07:00

What are some of the rivers that come to mind when talking about smallmouth bass fishing? Do rivers like Maine's Androscoggin River, West Virginia's New River, the John Day River in Oregon and Minnesota's Upper Mississippi enter your mind?

What would you think about a river that local guides claim is the best kept secret in the Northeast?

Healthy populations of smallmouth and prime habitat are what characterize any excellent bass river. But, like many destinations, they seem to always happen someplace too far for a comfortable drive.

The Upper Delaware hosts a world class smallmouth bass fishery yet is only a couple of hours drive from several major metropolitan areas. Its pristine enough to be given special protection by the US Department of the Interior.

In their July, 2007 issue, Field and Stream Magazine named the Upper Delaware River on the NY/PA border as one of the top five smallmouth bass rivers in the US. The four rivers mentioned in the first papagraph complete the line up.

These rivers all share the same common denominator; sizable self sustaining populations of river bred bass and ideal habitat for them to thrive. The Upper Delaware is close enough to New York, Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia and the metropolitan areas that surround them to be reached in a two to three hour drive.

Well known for its wild trout fishery, the Upper Delaware River's reputation as an excellent smallmouth bass fishery has until now, remained mostly local knowledge. From late June to the end of October the smallmouth bass is king. More than sixty miles of prime habitat is the reason these fish have flourished and driven the river into the "top five" status.

The deep pools, riffles, small rapids and deep runs of the Delaware provide an ideal home for these river residents. The abundant insect, baitfish and crayfish populations provide the fuel to these fish that have earned them the reputation as, inch for inch, the hardest fighting fish in freshwater. Whether you are a spin fisherman or fly fisherman the smallmouth bass of the Delaware are always willing to come out and provide excellent light tackle sport.

Cross Current Guide Service & Outfitters are the smallmouth bass experts on this river. Call them for your day on the water.

National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act

2010-07-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes. (Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, October 2, 1968)

What don't they understand?

Marcellus Shale - To Drill or Not To Drill in the Delaware Basin

2010-07-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

In the Spring of 2009 the Columbia University Urban Design Research Seminar prepared a paper on "Visioning the Impacts of Natural Gas Extraction Along the Upper Delaware"

"This report aims to accomplish two goals: to inform broadly and induce involvement. Seeking and implementing strategies in the Catskills that support both sustainable economic development and preservation of invaluable natural resources can only be accomplished wit the support of the individual citizen, elected local officials and regional policy makers. These will be legal, political and scientific solutions that require the work of several generations to undo our past 'era of procrastination'. Instead, in this 'period of consequences', where there is both severe urgency and great optimism, we are charged with - and capable of - solving our energy problems in our own backyard. Be a critical contributor - get the facts and then decide on whether or not to drill." Jennifer Grossman, Open Space Institute

This paper is available from the Open Space Institute in hard copy form by calling them at: 212-290-8200 or you can try contacting them via web-mail

How Much is a Healthy Delaware River Woth?

2010-07-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

Find out how much a healthy Delaware River is worth. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network released a report; River Values-The Value of a Clean and Healthy Delaware River. The link below will take you there:

..\resources\PressReleases\How_much_is_a_Healthy Delaware_River_Worth.pdf (application/pdf Object)

On 1st Day of Summer, Delaware River Trout Are at Peril

2010-06-21T13:10:00.001-07:00

June 21, 2010
For Immediate Release

For more information:

Dan Plummer, FUDR chairman
catskilldan@mac.com
(607) 363-7848

Crisis Alert: On 1st Day of Summer,
Delaware River Trout Are at Peril

As summer begins, the trout on the upper Delaware River are at peril due to deadly water temperatures caused by inadequate cold-water releases from the region’s reservoirs.

In recent days, water temperatures between Hancock and Lordville, N.Y.—the heart of the river’s wild trout fishery--were measured at 75 degrees during the day and 70 overnight. With the long-range weather forecast predicting air temperatures in the 80s and 90s by late June, water temperatures are expected to reach as high as 78 degrees.

Trout are subjected to potentially lethal stress when water temperatures rise above 68 degrees. The aquatic insects essential to keeping the trout healthy are at risk, as well.

Friends of the Upper Delaware River, a nonprofit advocacy group, is calling on government officials to respond to this emergency by ordering additional releases of cold water from the New York City reservoirs that feed the river system. With reservoirs nearly full, there is plenty of water for both the trout and human beings.

“The trout need our help,” says Al Caucci, FUDR vice president, “and the solution lies with motivating the water bureaucracy to simply open the spigot to allow more life-sustaining cold water to flow from the reservoirs.”

Caucci, a legendary flyfisherman, guide and author, has spent his life on the river. He has made a point of carefully monitoring water temperatures and flow rates, and FUDR will use his expertise by issuing a “Crisis Alert” when conditions warrant.

On this first day of summer, water temperatures have reached the crisis stage, and FUDR is compelled to issue its first Crisis Alert.

“We have decided to take the lead on this issue and will disseminate a ‘Crisis Alert’ to government officials, the public, the media and our supporters when our data indicates the need,” said Caucci.

The river system has already suffered through one crisis this year. During an early heat wave from May 21 to June 6, water temperatures soared as high as 78 degrees—deadly for trout. Anglers and guides reported seeing dead trout, almost certainly killed by the heat.

Authorities say that the Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink reservoirs are all at 95 percent capacity. The situation hearkens to the devastating flooding of June 2006, when torrential rainfall had nowhere to go in the full reservoirs.

The current water release level out of Cannonsville Reservoir is 420 cubic feet per second. Caucci says water temperatures in the upper main stem Delaware from Hancock downstream to Lordville will stay above 70 degrees unless the release level is increased to 600 cubic feet per second.

FUDR has been a longtime critic of yo-yo water releases from the New York City reservoirs, which often flow heavy when trout need it least and are throttled down to a trickle when the fish need it most. FUDR advocates a common-sense release plan that would benefit the wildlife as well as those who live on and visit the river for recreation.

DEP to Conduct Timed Reservoir Releases To Prepare for Work on Delaware Aqueduct

2010-06-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2010

CONTACT:

Farrell Sklerov / Michael Saucier (718) 595-6600

New Technology Will Allow Releases to Support Downstream Recreation

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced a planned shutdown of the Rondout-West Branch Tunnel portion of the Delaware Aqueduct this fall to perform the next phase of work related to the long-term repair of the tunnel. In October, DEP will install a backup support — a giant plug — behind an existing hatch that ensures that water in the tunnel does not go into the shaft, which workers need to access to install pumping equipment that will be used during the long-term repair. Ahead of the three-week shutdown, DEP has agreed with the states of Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania on a program, starting today, to manage the incremental release of water from reservoirs during the summer months that otherwise would be diverted during the planned shutdown. The new program is possible in part because of DEP's new computer modeling system that enables water supply operators to better predict water storage levels in the City's reservoirs.

"It's vital that we continue to take the steps necessary to improving our water infrastructure," said Commissioner Holloway. "Under Mayor Bloomberg's leadership, we have made it a priority to prepare for the eventual repair of the Delaware Aqueduct, which provides half of the City's drinking water supply and has been in service since 1944. In advance of the latest round of work, DEP will make incremental water releases to support recreational activities downstream, such as trout fishing. These timed releases are now possible in part due to new technologies we are pioneering to help us better predict and manage our reservoir levels to meet the daily water needs of 9 million New Yorkers."

Because of tools being developed to help better manage the water supply, DEP will be able to divert or release water from its reservoirs at the best times this summer to guarantee the highest quality water is delivered to New Yorkers and to benefit downstream habitat and recreation activities. In February, DEP announced that work had begun on the Operations Support Tool, a cutting-edge, $5.2 million computer system that will enable DEP's water supply operators to more accurately predict water storage levels in the City's reservoirs so that DEP can better manage the movement of water throughout the reservoir system, and ultimately, to the 9 million New Yorkers who rely on the City's drinking water every day. The initiative, the first of its kind in the world, will improve the City's water management systems by predicting events that could affect water quality much earlier than is now possible, and incorporating more data in the computer models used to determine water flows. It is being implemented on a rolling basis and is expected to be complete by 2013.

The 85-mile Delaware Aqueduct is the world's longest continuous tunnel and conveys drinking water from the Cannonsville, Neversink, Pepacton, and Rondout reservoirs to the City's distribution system, and provides approximately 50 percent of the City's daily water needs.

Since 2002, Mayor Bloomberg has invested approximately $493 million in preparation work for the eventual repair of the Delaware Aqueduct. The City has committed another $100 million for additional work over the next four years.

The shutdown will allow workers to perform work on a shaft necessary to ultimately repair the Aqueduct. Earlier this year, divers investigated the area around an existing hatch in the shaft that leads to the Aqueduct. In the fall, this area will be reinforced, which will lay the groundwork for the next phase of work, the installation of a pumping station in the shaft.

Over the next 12 months, DEP will temporarily increase the amount of water available for release from its Delaware Basin Reservoirs as part of the Flexible Flow Management Plan, an agreement between the four basin states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the City of New York to manage the water storage levels and releases of the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs.

DEP manages the City's water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. DEP has invested over $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs — including partnership organizations such as the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council — that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and local economic opportunity. New York City's water is delivered from the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that extend more than 125 miles from the City, and are comprised of 19 reservoirs, and three controlled lakes.

DETERMINATION EXTENDED TO INCLUDE NATURAL GAS EXPLORATORY WELLS

2010-06-14T11:08:00.001-07:00

WEST TRENTON, N.J. (June 14) - Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that she has supplemented her May 19, 2009 determination to include natural gas
exploratory wells.

"My 2009 determination that sponsors of natural gas extraction projects in shale formations must obtain commission approval before commencing such projects expressly did not cover wells intended solely for exploratory purposes," Collier said. "Today, I am extending the provisions of my 2009 determination to include exploratory wells, subject to reservations for exploratory well projects already approved by the states on or before June 14, 2010."

By this supplemental determination, all natural gas well project sponsors, including the sponsors of natural gas well projects intended solely for exploratory purposes, must first apply for and obtain commission approval before commencing any natural gas well project for the production from or exploration of shale formations within the drainage area of Special Protection Waters in the Delaware River Basin.

"For the purpose of this determination, any natural gas well drilled in or through shale is assumed to be targeting a shale formation and is subject to this determination, unless the project sponsor proves otherwise," Collier added. All other aspects of the 2009 determination remain in effect.

Today's action recognizes the risks to water resources, including ground and surface water that the land disturbance and drilling activities inherent in any shale gas well pose. "In light of the commission's May 5, 2010 decision to finalize natural gas regulations before considering project approvals, this supplemental determination removes any regulatory incentive for project sponsors to classify their wells as exploratory wells and install them without DRBC review before the commission's natural gas regulations are in place," Collier said. "It thus supports the commission's goal that exploratory wells do not serve as a source of degradation of the commission's Special Protection Waters."

"Where entities have invested in exploratory well projects in reliance on my May 2009 determination and information from DRBC staff, there are countervailing considerations that favor allowing these projects to move ahead," Collier stated in her supplemental determination. "I am informed that since May of 2009, Pennsylvania has issued a limited number of natural gas well drilling permits within the Delaware River Basin targeting shale formations, while New York State has not issued any natural gas well permits targeting shales in the basin since that date. In contrast to the thousands of wells projected to be installed in the basin over the next several years, the risk to basin waters posed by only the wells approved by Pennsylvania since May 2009 are comparatively small. Not only are these wells subject to state regulation as to their construction and operation, but they continue to require commission approval before they can be fractured or otherwise modified for natural gas production. In light of these existing safeguards and the investment-backed expectations of the sponsors of these projects, this supplemental determination does not prohibit any exploratory natural gas well project from proceeding if the applicant has obtained a state natural gas well permit for the project on or before June 14, 2010."

Most of the shale formations that may be subject to horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques requiring large volumes of water in the basin are located within the drainage area to DRBC's designated Special Protection Waters (SPW). The commission's SPW program is designed to prevent degradation in streams and rivers considered to have exceptionally high scenic, recreational, ecological, and/or water supply values through stricter control of wastewater discharges, non-point pollution control, and reporting requirements. Coverage of the DRBC's SPW anti-degradation regulations includes the 197-mile non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. south to Trenton, N.J. and the land draining to this stretch.

Any person adversely affected by this action may request a hearing by submitting a request in writing to the commission secretary within 30 days of the date of this supplemental determination in accordance with the DRBC's Rules of Practice and Procedure.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information, including the complete supplemental determination, can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

Biologists Recommendation for River Flows

2010-06-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Do your part to help improve the water flows on the Upper Delaware River. Tell the Delaware River Basin Commission to implement the new flow plan recommended by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission ans the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Click here to take action

2010 America's Most Endangered Rivers: Upper Delaware River, PA / NY

2010-06-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

2010 America's Most Endangered Rivers: Upper Delaware River, PA / NY

Millions of people depend on the clean waters of the Delaware River for drinking water. Fish and wildlife, including some endangered and threatened species, rely on the river for spawning habitat. Find out what you can do to help save this national treasure. Visit American Rivers by clicking on the link above.

The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act

2010-05-27T06:07:00.000-07:00

The longest free flowing river east of the Mississippi has a bill in congress to create The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act. This Act if passed, would provide $5 million per year for five years to implement a voluntary, coordinated approach to sustaining and enhancing habitat, water quality and flood control improvements for fish, wildlife and people.

Under the act, the Secretary of the Interior would coordinate a program that would involve all four states in the basin, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. The program would provide support for local, projects by non-profits, universities, state and local governments, community organizations and others. This could support such things as wetlands restoration and protection, flood mitigation and waterfront revitalization.

The Delaware River Basin lacks a coordinated federal/state/local oversight effort, even though it is home to more than 8 million people and provides drinking water to 15 million. Other major American watersheds, including the Great Lakes and the Chesapeake Bay, get tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for conservation coordination. The Delaware Basin get relatively little funding, and the upper basin gets none. This bill can change that.

The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (H.R. 4698) was introduced on Feb. 25 by U.S. Rep. Michael Castle (R-Del.) and has bipartisan co-sponsorship by U.S. Reps. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), Rush Holt (D-N.J.), Charles Dent (R-Pa.) and Joe Sestak (D.-Pa.).

Please send an email asking them to support H.R. 4698, the proposed Delaware River Basin Conservation Act. Here's a handy link to make it easy: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml Also, send an email, to the congressmen listed above thanking them for supporting this legislation.

DEP, Trout Unlimited Help Restore Trout Habitat

2010-04-22T07:39:00.000-07:00

Date:

04/10/2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEP, Trout Unlimited Help Restore Trout Habitat
Plantings Along Banks of Horton Brook to Improve Ecology at Key Spawning Area

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway and Trout Unlimited Director of Land Protection Nat Gillespie today announced the restoration of a key section of Horton Brook which is a known critical spawning area for trout. Representatives from DEP, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and the Beamoc Chapter of Trout Unlimited planted willow stakes at the water's edge along an area that was made into a floodplain last year. The plantings will stabilize the banks of the brook and help protect a trout spawning area by preventing sediment from entering the water.

"This is great day for local anglers. Stabilizing this critical section of Horton Brook will benefit the trout population for years to come. I would like to thank Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and the DEP staff who worked on this vital project that will protect one of the best trout fishing areas in the country," said Environmental Protection Commissioner Holloway. "The important work performed at Horton Brook is yet another example of our efforts to improve the use of New York's waterways for recreational use."

"Trout Unlimited proposed this project in 2000 to reduce flooding and to benefit habitat in Horton Brook and downstream, on the Beaver Kill," said Director Gillespie. "Even though the property is outside the drinking water supply watershed, New York City remained committed to making this project happen. The partnership will have long-lasting tangible benefits to the trout and wildlife habitat here."

During construction of the West Delaware Tunnel in the 1950s and 1960s, excavated soil was stockpiled along Horton Brook, which runs along the length of Horton Brook Road and feeds into the Beaver Kill in the Town of Colchester. The West Delaware Tunnel transports water from the Cannonsville Reservoir to the Rondout Reservoir on its way to New York City.

Over time, the brook meandered toward the stockpiled material, causing sediment to enter the brook as it eroded the bottom of the slope. Trout Unlimited targeted the project because Horton Brook provides the largest cold water refuge for trout in the Beaver Kill Watershed during summer months, when water temperatures can exceed 78 degrees, which means dissolved oxygen levels in stream water are reduced and trout can suffocate.

The floodplain restoration project will reduce erosion of sediments into Horton Brook,
reduce sedimentation on trout spawning areas downstream, slow the velocity of the brook when it floods, and reduce the size of the delta at the brook's mouth which, when too large, can prevent trout from reaching the cold brook waters needed for summer survival.

For the first part of the project last year, approximately 16,000 cubic yards of soil was removed. The excavated section is approximately 450 feet long. DEP provided two dump trucks, a bulldozer, and a Gradall for last year's project. Trout Unlimited provided the excavator, silt fence and grass seed. Delaware County donated the use of a mulcher and Greene County donated the use of a hydro seeder. The Town of Colchester provided two dump trucks to help move the excavated soil. After the earth removal was completed, a group of 32 volunteers and staff from Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, New Jersey Conservation Foundation and DEP planted 600 native trees and shrubs.

Earlier today, Trout Unlimited, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and DEP strengthened the streamside buffer by harvesting native willow stakes from mature willows upstream of the project and installing them at the water's edge.

Trout Unlimited, www.tu.org, is North America's leading coldwater fisheries conservation organization, with more than 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds.

DEP manages the City's water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities as scientists, engineers, surveyors, and administrative professionals, and perform other critical responsibilities. DEP has invested over $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs — including partnership organizations such as the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Watershed Agricultural Council — that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and local economic opportunity.

Contact:
Michael Saucier (DEP), (718) 595-6600
Erin Mooney (Trout Unlimited), (703) 284-9408

Trout habitat at Horton Brook to improve ecology of spawning area | Trout Unlimited - Conserving coldwater fisheries

2010-04-22T07:33:00.000-07:00

Trout habitat at Horton Brook to improve ecology of spawning area | Trout Unlimited - Conserving coldwater fisheries

Gas drilling debate rages in Del. River watershed | Trout Unlimited - Conserving coldwater fisheries

2010-04-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

Gas drilling debate rages in Del. River watershed | Trout Unlimited - Conserving coldwater fisheries

Upper Delaware River Fishing Reports

2010-04-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

We will be doing fishing report updates on the Upper Delaware River and the East Branch of the Delaware River. To see theses reports click here:

Upper Delaware River

East Branch Delaware River

Friends of the Upper Delaware River Endorse NY & PA "White Paper"

2010-04-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

A key stream advocacy group has endorsed an important new “white paper” by officials in New York and Pennsylvania that urges improvements in water releases from New York City‟s three reservoirs into the Delaware River tailwaters.

The white paper analysis was done jointly by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in a report entitled, “Recommended Improvements to the Flexible Flow Management Program for Coldwater Ecosystem Protection in the Delaware River Tailwaters.”

The 36-page report gives a scientific analysis of benefits to the fisheries and ecosystem of the tailwaters and the Upper Main Stem of the Delaware River that could be realized by increased releases while still assuring adequate water is available to meet the drinking water needs of all of the communities that draw water from the river. Currently, releases from the three reservoirs are determined by an agreement called the Flexible Flow Management Program that was adopted three years ago by four basin states and New York City that are the parties bound by a 1954 Supreme Court decree.

“Flows in the tailwaters under the white paper release schedule will be substantially better than they have been under the FFMP,” said Dan Plummer, chairman
of FUDR. “We also anticipate that we will see significant gains in habitat in the Upper Main Stem under this new release program.” Plummer urged the decree parties to immediately adopt the proposed schedule of releases set forth in the white paper.

Al Caucci, vice president of FUDR, said, “We know that there certainly is enough water to go beyond the white paper release levels while continuing to meet everyone‟s needs. But this new release schedule moves us much closer to maintaining a robust trout fishery in the East and West Branch and well down the Main Stem from the beginning of April through the end of October.”

Friends of the Upper Delaware River is a not-for-profit organization that advocates on behalf of the river system, its residents, its businesses and its trout and other marine life. FUDR has been a leader in the battle to get in place a more sensible water-release plan from the area‟s reservoirs, providing both safety from flooding and a sustainable world-class fishery.

“While we‟re pleased to see this cooperative effort by the New York and Pennsylvania fisheries experts, we also are renewing the proposal FUDR, Trout Unlimited and other conservation groups made a year ago for a larger release program that goes beyond the white paper proposal,” said Lee Hartman, FUDR vice president and chairman of the Delaware River Committee for the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. He said the conservation groups‟ renewed proposal would provide substantially larger releases to the tailwaters over a longer period of time than the FFMP while continuing to assure ample water for New York City.

“Obviously, we have more work to do to maximize this incredibly valuable fishery and ecosystem,” said Plummer. “We‟re very pleased to see that the two state agencies view the white paper as a working document to provide release recommendations based on the most current information available.”

Plummer noted that even since the white paper was released, the media reported that New York City‟s water consumption dropped another 12% during 2009, perhaps in response to increased water usage fees. This continuing trend toward lower consumption will further reduce predicted risk levels and support additional releases in the future.

Protect Water Resources from Marcellus Drilling

2010-04-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

PA Must Take Action to Protect Water Resources from Drilling Wastewater, Other Sources of TDS Pollution

Proposed Rules will Help Keep Drinking Water, Streams and Rivers Clean

HARRISBURG -- High levels of total dissolved solids pollution from natural gas drilling and other sources pose a real threat to Pennsylvania’s streams and rivers, including aquatic life, warned Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger today.

“The treating and disposing of gas drilling brine and fracturing wastewater is a significant challenge for the natural gas industry because of its exceptionally high TDS concentrations,” said Hanger. “Marcellus drilling is growing rapidly and our rules must be strengthened now to prevent our waterways from being seriously harmed in the future.”

Hanger pointed to recent examples where TDS impaired streams and affected major sources of drinking water.

In 2008 and 2009, TDS levels exceeded drinking water standards along the Monongahela River, which is a major source of drinking water. Drinking water treatment plants do not have the equipment available to remove TDS, so any water polluted with TDS goes into Pennsylvania’s homes and businesses.

Similarly, in early September 2009, excessive TDS levels led to an environmental disaster that wiped out 26 miles of Dunkard Creek in Greene County, as well as many miles of the creek in West Virginia. These high TDS concentrations, coupled with other factors such as temperature and nutrient concentrations, enabled golden algae to bloom and created an inhospitable environment for aquatic life. The algae released toxins to the water column that literally wiped out aquatic life, including at least 16 species of freshwater mussels and 18 species of fish.

Dunkard Creek is an example of what can happen if TDS is not controlled, said Hanger, and the loss of this important public resource was an environmental and economic tragedy.

TDS is a measure of all elements dissolved in water that can include carbonates, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. In addition to natural gas drilling, other sources of TDS include, abandoned mine drainage, agricultural runoff, and discharges from industrial or sewage treatment plants.
For more information, visit www.depweb@state.pa.us.

DEP Adopts Updated Regulations to Protect NYC Watershed

2010-04-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

April 4, 2010

Amendments Will Align DEP’s Watershed Regulations with Federal and State Laws

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced updated Watershed Regulations for the protection of New York City’s water supply. The new regulations, which will become part of the New York State Health Code, will amend existing DEP regulations covering the upstate watershed to align them with changes made in federal and state law over the past ten years, and address issues that have been raised during the City’s administration and enforcement of the regulations since their adoption. The prior regulations were adopted in 1997 as part of the Filtration Avoidance Determination issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, which allowed the City to continue operating its unfiltered drinking system from the Catskill and Delaware watersheds.

“More than nine million New York State residents depend on New York City’s three upstate reservoirs systems for clean drinking water,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Holloway. “To protect this vital resource, the City has purchased land or easements on more than 108,000 acres upstate. And we work closely with our upstate partners to prevent impacts on water quality from agricultural uses or other development. These updated regulations are another step to ensure that projects in the City’s watershed are designed and constructed in ways that protects water quality.”

Fourteen sections of the Watershed Regulations have been updated to prevent contamination to and degradation of the City’s surface water supply. Highlights of the provisions include:

Enhanced standards for the control of stormwater runoff from certain construction sites. For example, in commercial areas with a large amount of impervious surfaces, the revised regulations will require additional stormwater treatment, such as construction of larger or secondary detention basins. DEP has also adopted the requirements of the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for construction activities to ensure complementary enforcement of the latest regulatory standards for stormwater runoff.
New provisions to allow for sewage treatment plants in certain areas of the Croton watershed. This will authorize DEP to grant variances for new or expanded surface discharging wastewater treatment plants in closer proximity to the Croton reservoir.
Updated criteria defining the quality of drinking water reservoirs consistent with state and federal standards, specifically concerning stricter phosphorus limits for select basins.

These changes take effect on April 4, 2010 and will apply to all counties located within the Croton, Delaware and Catskill watersheds. DEP started the process of revising the Watershed Regulations more than five years ago. The revised regulations that will go into effect on April 4 were published for public review and comment in the City Record in 2008. Public hearings on the proposed changes were held that same year. After carefully reviewing all comments, DEP made revisions and the updated regulations were submitted to the New York State Department of Health in 2009. DEP received approval in February 2010 for final publication in the City Record, which occurred on March 3, 2010. Pursuant to the City Administrative Procedures Act, the regulations will become effective 30 days after final publication.

DEP manages the City’s water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities as scientists, engineers, surveyors, and administrative professionals, and perform other critical responsibilities.

Make a Difference and Support The Upper Delaware River System

2010-03-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

If you fish the Upper Delaware System you already know what a special place this is. Remarkably, it continues to survive as a wild trout fishery, a very good one at that, within a three hour drive form the most densely populated region in the United States. The 75 miles of the Upper Delaware River has been declared a National Wild and Scenic River.

The fish were there before this river became a tailwater over fifty years ago, but over that time span the cold water influence has caused it to increase its wild trout population both in the main river and its two major tributaries. It has its up and downs, sometimes caused by natural events but, more often caused by man made political influences. Without getting distracted here with the politics of water, this river has the potential to greatly improve itself in both fish population and increased river habitat.

The organization that has taken the lead on this mission is the Friends of the Upper Delaware River.

The Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) is currently working with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, The New York State Department of Conservation, Trout Unlimited, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the Town of Hancock, NY, Delaware County, NY Department of Public Works, US Army Corp of Engineers and many professional and corporate sponsors.

This grassroots organization is on the move. They have one concern: the Upper Delaware River. If you share a similar concern please consider becoming part of them. For less than the cost of a days fishing you can help make a difference. Visit FUDR

FUDR to Host Meeting on Creek Restoration Project

2010-03-23T06:45:00.000-07:00

March 19, 2010

For Immediate Release
For more information:
Dan Plummer, FUDR chairman
catskilldan@mac.com
1-607-363-7848

Stream Advocacy Group
Hosts Meeting to Update
NY Creek Restoration Project

Friends of the Upper Delaware River will hold a public meeting next month to update the community on restoration of flood-ravaged Sands and Cadosia creeks in Delaware County, N.Y.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 5 at Emory United Methodist Church, 89 W. Main St., Hancock, N.Y.

The two creeks, important tributaries to the Delaware River, have been the subject of a stream restoration project that began in November 2008. The creeks were severely damaged in a 2006 flood in which homes, roads, bridges and spawning habitat were damaged or destroyed. FUDR, the O’Connor Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funded the first phase, which focused on damage assessment. The second phase, set to begin this spring, is again being led by LandStudies Inc., a Lititz, Penn., firm that specializes in flood plain restoration, in cooperation with the Town of Hancock and the Delaware County Public Works Department.

Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe and Wayne Reynolds, the county’s public works commissioner, have been important partners on the project, said Lee Hartman of Equinunk, Penn., the FUDR vice president who is leading the project for the nonprofit river advocacy group.

“Sam Rowe and Wayne Reynolds have been instrumental in helping push this project forward,” Hartman said. “Without their support, this work would just be sitting in a pile of papers on someone’s desk. Sam and Wayne are keeping this thing alive.”

The April 5 meeting will include a showing of a short film about the damaged tributaries made by FUDR member Dave Morris. In the film, Commissioner Reynolds says, “We thought we could teach Mother Nature a thing or two. Well, guess who got taught?”

LandStudies president Mark Gutshall explains in the film that the typical short-term flood “solution” of digging streams deeper and straighter, then fixing damaged bridges, culverts and roads, makes no financial sense. The sensible long-term solution is “preventative work,” he said, including building overflows into the creek systems so floodwater isn’t simply running down a shoot toward bridges and personal property when the inevitable heavy rain or snowmelt happens.

Hartman said the film is a great tool for educating the public about the persistent problem of creek flooding. It includes interviews with local residents and officials expressing their concerns.
FUDR continues to seek additional funding partners for the creek restorations, said Dan Plummer, the group’s chairman.

“We have found a number of partners who are excited about the project and who have been more than willing to help,” Plummer said. “FUDR plans on seeing this through, but we’ll need continued financial support to complete the project. And when it is finished, the entire community will benefit. Hancock has paid its dues and needs a break

Deeter: The Upper Delaware River is the Best All-Around Fly Fishing River in the U.S.A. | Field & Stream

2010-03-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

Deeter: The Upper Delaware River is the Best All-Around Fly Fishing River in the U.S.A. | Field & Stream

Hydraulic Fracturing Study

2010-03-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

Research News Release (HQ): EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2010

EPA Initiates Hydraulic Fracturing Study

Agency seeks input from Science Advisory Board

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the potential adverse impact that hydraulic fracturing may have on water quality and public health. Natural gas plays a key role in our nation’s clean energy future and the process known as hydraulic fracturing is one way of accessing that vital resource. There are concerns that hydraulic fracturing may impact ground water and surface water quality in ways that threaten human health and the environment. To address these concerns and strengthen our clean energy future and in response to language inserted into the fiscal year 2010 Appropriations Act, EPA is re-allocating $1.9 million for this comprehensive, peer-reviewed study for FY10 and requesting funding for FY11 in the president’s budget proposal.

“Our research will be designed to answer questions about the potential impact of hydraulic fracturing on human health and the environment,” said Dr. Paul T. Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “The study will be conducted through a transparent, peer-reviewed process, with significant stakeholder input.”

EPA is in the very early stages of designing a hydraulic fracturing research program. The agency is proposing the process begin with (1) defining research questions and identifying data gaps; (2) conducting a robust process for stakeholder input and research prioritization; (3) with this input, developing a detailed study design that will undergo external peer-review, leading to (4) implementing the planned research studies.

To support this initial planning phase and guide the development of the study plan, the agency is seeking suggestions and comments from the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB)—an independent, external federal advisory committee. The agency has requested that the Environmental Engineering Committee (EEC) of the SAB evaluate and provide advice on EPA’s proposed approach. The agency will use this advice and extensive stakeholder input to guide the design of the study.

Hydraulic fracturing is a process that drills vertical and horizontal cracks underground that help withdraw gas, or oil, from coalbeds, shale and other geological formations. While each site is unique, in general, the process involves vertical and horizontal drilling, taking water from the ground, injecting fracturing fluids and sands into the formation, and withdrawing gas and separating and managing the leftover waters.

A federal register notice was issued March 18, announcing a SAB meeting April 7-8.

More information on hydraulic fracturing: http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/uic/wells_hydrofrac.html

More information on the SAB and the supporting documents: http://www.epa.gov/sab

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Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.

New York City Watershed Snowpack

2010-03-08T19:16:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE10-21

March 3, 2010

CONTACT:

Michael Saucier/Mercedes Padilla (718) 595-6600

Statement on DEP Watershed Snowpack Levels

NYC Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today released the following statement on watershed snowpack levels in the water supply system

As part of our standard operating procedure, DEP continually monitors the amount of snowpack in the Catskill/Delaware watersheds during the winter season so that we can address potential impacts of higher than expected snowfall. Due to last week’s historic snowstorms, which in some places brought more than four feet of snow, the quantity of water in the snowpack has quickly outpaced its historical average. To put it in context, we experience roughly 60 billion gallons of snowpack water this time of year, but this season we have nearly tripled that level — to 175 billion gallons.

To deal with this, we have enacted a series of initiatives to minimize any negative effects on the surrounding community and on the quality of New York City’s water.

As part of an ongoing program to monitor and manage the water stored above our reservoirs in the snowpack, DEP has taken the following steps:

Release the maximum amount of water allowed under the Flexible Flow Management Plan, which is intended to provide a more adaptive means for managing the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs. DEP includes half of the water content in the snowpack in the total storage for its Delaware reservoirs. Accounting for this snowpack water allows DEP to enhance the flood mitigation already provided by the reservoirs.
Continue running the Ashokan Reservoir Waste Channel that was activated in January, and increasing the release volume to 300 to 350 million gallons per day. The Ashokan Waste Channel is a concrete canal used to convey water released in a controlled manner from the reservoir through the upper and lower gate chambers to the Little Beaverkill stream and the lower Esopus Creek. The release will improve water quality in the reservoir, which saw an increase in turbidity levels as the result of snowmelt and rains earlier this winter, and will enhance flood prevention protection.
Operate siphons at Gilboa Dam at Schoharie Reservoir, which releases approximately 200 million gallons of water a day into Schoharie Creek.

DEP will continue to monitor the snowpack amount and take appropriate measures.

New System to Improve NYC Reservoir Management

2010-03-08T19:13:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE10-18

February 24, 2010

CONTACT:

Michael Saucier/Mercedes Padilla (718) 595-6600

DEP Building New System to Improve Reservoir Management

Cutting Edge Water Supply Computer Modeling System Will Be First of its Kind in the World

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced that work has begun on the Operations Support Tool (OST), a cutting-edge, $5.2 million computer system that will enable DEP’s water supply operators to more accurately predict water storage levels in the City’s reservoirs so that DEP can better manage the movement of water throughout the reservoir system, and ultimately, to the 9 million New Yorkers who rely on the City’s drinking water every day. The initiative, the first of its kind in the world, will improve the City’s water management systems by predicting events that could affect water quality much earlier than is possible now, and incorporating more data in the models used to determine water flows. Understanding the volume and quality of the reservoirs and their feeding waters (rivers, streams, etc.) is critical to isolating and addressing cloudy water that can affect overall quality. When completed, the Operations Support Tool will enable DEP to divert or release water from its reservoirs at the best times to guarantee the highest quality water is delivered to New Yorkers and to protect downstream habitat. The system is expected to be complete by 2013 and will be phased in on a rolling basis. The consultant for the initiative is Hazen and Sawyer.

"The Operations Support Tool will help us make earlier and better decisions about moving water between and out of our reservoirs to ensure the delivery of the highest quality water possible to the 9 million New Yorkers who rely on our water supply," said Commissioner Holloway. "Proactively moving water not needed for supply can help cushion storm impacts that can affect downstream communities and improve the aquatic habit below our reservoirs."

"We look forward to this collaboration with Commissioner Holloway and his team," said Jack Hayes, Ph.D., Director of the National Weather Service. "We help New York manage its regional water resources effectively by providing high-quality precipitation and stream flow forecasts. Implementation of the new Operations Support Tool holds great promise to strengthen this partnership."

The Operations Support Tool will link DEP’s water quality and quantity models; assimilate near-real-time data on reservoir levels, stream flow into the reservoirs, snowpack and water quality in streams and reservoirs; and ingest National Weather Service forecasts. At the same time, it will apply the rules and laws that govern the water supply operations.

DEP manages the City’s water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities.

NYC DEP Expands Initiative To Better Measure Snowpack

2010-03-08T19:11:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE10-07

January 21, 2010

CONTACT:

Anne Canty/Mercedes Padilla/Angel Roman (718) 595-6600

DEP Expands Initiative To Better Measure Snowpack, Mitigate Flooding

Electronic ‘Snow Pillows’ Provide Real-Time Data on Amount of Water in Snowpack

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced it is expanding the testing of electronic "snow pillows" first installed in 2008. The snow pillow is a device that measures the amount of water in snowpack for a watershed area. Snowpack is a crucial indicator of overall water supply because melting snow drains into reservoirs. DEP, the first agency in the country to use this state-of-the-art technology, installed five new snow pillows over the last month on the Catskill/Delaware watersheds. The total cost of this project is $50,000.

"This is a prime example of new technology that will improve our operations by providing real-time information concerning the water content of the snowpack," said Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway. "Data from the snow pillows will supplement the detailed information we already collect in the Watershed, such as stream flow, weather conditions, and reservoirs levels. Taken together, this information increases our operational responsiveness and our ability to protect water quality by helping us better anticipate the likelihood of turbidity events caused by large snow melts."

The electronic snow pillow was initially developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Alaska. Based on knowledge gleaned from the pillows installed by DEP in 2008, DEP developed a simpler design now being used at locations within the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoir watersheds. One of the original 2008 pillows is used at a location within the Schoharie Reservoir watershed. Locations for the pillows were chosen in partnership with the National Weather Service, which is using data from several sites to improve a snowmelt and flash flood forecasting model they are developing.

The new snow pillow design is an aluminum triangle with highly accurate scales that take measurements every 60 seconds, sending the information to a DEP facility every hour via radio transmission. While DEP staff will continue to perform field checks throughout the watershed, the snow pillows provide continuous, real-time data on snowpack water content.

Under the Flexible Flow Management Plan, which is intended to provide a more adaptive means for managing the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs, DEP includes half of the water content in the snowpack in the total storage for its Delaware reservoirs. Accounting for this snowpack water allows DEP to enhance the flood attenuation already provided by the reservoirs.

DEP manages the City’s water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. Approximately 1,000 DEP employees live and work in the watershed communities as scientists, engineers, surveyors, and administrative professionals, and perform other critical responsibilities. DEP has invested over $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs.

MORE INFORMATION

NYC Department of Environmental Protection
Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs

59-17 Junction Boulevard
19th Floor
Flushing, NY 11373

(718) 595 - 6600

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New York City Increases Reservoir Releases to Accommodate Record Snow Pack

2010-03-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said today that New York City has stepped up the amount of water it releases from its reservoirs to reduce the threat of flooding from the historic snow pack throughout the upper Delaware River basin.

This action is one of several new flood-mitigation measures established under a cooperative agreement between New York City and states along the Delaware River. The city controls several large reservoirs in the headwaters of the basin that can affect water levels on the main stem of the river.

“The record-setting snows of February have deposited snow pack amounts up to three times the average in the upper Delaware River basin, creating the potential for flooding along the river in the event of a rapid snowmelt,” Hanger said.
To put it in perspective, the upper basin typically contains 60 billion gallons of snowpack water at this time of year, but recent snowstorms have tripled the water content in the region’s snowpack to an estimated 175 billion gallons.

“To lessen the threat to downstream lives and property, New York City is releasing the maximum amount of water allowed under the Flexible Flow Management Plan to increase the storage capacity in their reservoirs,” said Hanger. “This is the sort of cooperation we hoped for when we created this multi-state agreement to manage water levels along the Delaware, and I applaud the New York City officials for their quick action.”

The Flexible Flow Management Plan for New York City’s reservoirs was adopted in 2007 following major flooding along the Delaware River and is the first operating plan for the reservoirs to include flood mitigation principles, as well as public water supply and in-stream habitat protection. New York City has agreed to operate their reservoirs to provide a measure of flood control for the main stem of the river while ensuring that the city has sufficient water to meet its needs.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.

NY & PA Release Plan to Improve Delaware River Flows

2010-02-20T15:13:00.000-08:00

The "white paper" has been released defining a new and improved release schedule from NYC owned reservoirs. This cooperative effort of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is a definite step in the right direction to improving the flows of the cold water fisheries of the Upper Delaware River. The paper can be read in its entirety at: http://fishandboat.com/water/rivers/delaware/dela_flex_flow.pdf