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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
