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The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) board elected Damascus Township, PA Representative Jeffrey R. Dexter as its 2013 chairperson at the non-profit organization’s annual meeting held January 3 in Narrowsburg.
A swearing-in ceremony and public reception will take place at the Feb. 7 UDC meeting, at which time Chairperson Dexter; Vice-Chairperson Andrew Boyar, Town of Highland, NY; and Secretary-Treasurer John B. Niflot, Town of Fremont, NY, will take their oaths of office.
Jeff Dexter began his Council service in January 2010 as a first alternate before he assumed the role of Damascus’s UDC representative two years later. He was elected as the UDC’s vice-chair in 2012.
As chairman of the Damascus Township Board of Supervisors on which he has served since 2006, Dexter was influential in the Wayne County municipality’s vote on July 21, 2008 to join the Upper Delaware Council.
The 63-year-old Cochecton, NY native graduated from Narrowsburg Central School in 1967 and earned a 1971 Bachelor’s degree in Resources Management from the College of Forestry at Syracuse University, including one year of study at SUNY Alfred Agriculture and Technical College.
Retired after 33 years working in the Arizona State Parks System, Dexter is the Volunteers-in-Mission Team Leader for disaster recovery projects through the Damascus Methodist Church, the sponsor’s representative to the Northeast Council of the Boy Scouts of America for Troop 122 in Damascus, a member of the Penn State Extension Agricultural Board for Wayne County, is active with the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and belongs to numerous local historical societies.
Jeff and his wife, Linda, are the parents of three children, Bethany, Jonathan, and Kari. The couple resides in a log home they built in Damascus.
2013 UDC Vice-chair “Andy” Boyar re-joined the board in January 2010 after becoming his town’s first representative from March 15, 1990 when the Town of Highland joined the Council under his leadership as town supervisor, through the UDC alternate representative positions he held from 1991 to 1993.
Boyar was re-elected as Highland’s town supervisor in 2010 after having previously held that office for 13 years starting in 1981. He is a former chairman of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors.
In addition to being a member of the UDC’s Water Use/Resource Management Committee, the Eldred resident currently serves as president of the Trout Unlimited Upper Delaware Chapter; trustee and officer for the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum; and is a member of the Federation of Fly Fishers and Ducks Unlimited.
“Jack” Niflot was elected as 2013 UDC secretary-treasurer for his 12th, non-consecutive term. He filled the position from 1997-99 and 2005-2012. Niflot was first appointed to the UDC as an alternate in 1994 and became the town’s representative in 1997.
The Mileses resident has served as a councilman on the Fremont Town Board since 1994.
Niflot is a founder, the current president, and newsletter editor of the Basket Historical Society of the Upper Delaware Valley, which operates a seasonal museum in Long Eddy, and is also secretary-treasurer for the Fremont Center Community Church.
The Upper Delaware Council was established in 1988 under a Cooperative Agreement partnership with the National Park Service to oversee the coordinated implementation of the River Management Plan for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, a component since 1978 of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
For more information on the organization and its activities, visit the Council’s website at
www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or call the Narrowsburg office at (845) 252-3022.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Plug Gets Pulled on Lower Woods Pond
Lower Woods Pond is part natural and part manmade. It's the manmade part that's become the problem.
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) announced that due to concerns about the integrity of the dam that transformed this 50 acre natural lake into a 91 acre man-made lake, the lake will be drawn down to it's original size.
“Failure of the dam does not appear to be imminent, but the dam’s earthen embankment and its spillway do not meet current engineering or regulatory standards,” said Jack Rokavec, PFBC chief of engineering. “In addition, observed seepage paths may be indicative of internal erosion which could represent a serious dam safety condition.”
“The Commission takes its regulatory and public safety responsibilities very seriously,” he added. “The Commission is drawing down the reservoir to protect the lives and property of the 25 residents living downstream."
The lake is expected to drop at the rate of half a foot per day. This shrinking of the lake has caused the PFBC to lift all regulations as to size limits. creel limits and seasons on the lake through March 31, 2013. This should be an interesting place to fish with the Wild West atmosphere that could ensue.
“We have chosen to temporarily lift the regulations in order to reduce the number of fish in the lake in anticipation of a reduced lake size,” said Dave Miko, chief of the PFBC Division of Fisheries Management. “We want anglers to fish the water and harvest and make good use out of as many fish as they can.”
Maybe some fish relocation to other lakes in the area would have been a more sporting alternative.
Due to the draw down the boat ramp has been closed too.
Lower Woods Pond is located in Lebanon Township, Wayne County. It is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the PFBC. Construction costs to repair the facility are estimated at $2 million.
The lake’s dam is one of 11 dams managed by the PFBC which are classified by the state Department of Environmental Protection as high-hazard and unsafe. Nine of the dams do not have funding. Fixing the nine unfunded dams would cost about $43 million.
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) announced that due to concerns about the integrity of the dam that transformed this 50 acre natural lake into a 91 acre man-made lake, the lake will be drawn down to it's original size.
“Failure of the dam does not appear to be imminent, but the dam’s earthen embankment and its spillway do not meet current engineering or regulatory standards,” said Jack Rokavec, PFBC chief of engineering. “In addition, observed seepage paths may be indicative of internal erosion which could represent a serious dam safety condition.”
“The Commission takes its regulatory and public safety responsibilities very seriously,” he added. “The Commission is drawing down the reservoir to protect the lives and property of the 25 residents living downstream."
The lake is expected to drop at the rate of half a foot per day. This shrinking of the lake has caused the PFBC to lift all regulations as to size limits. creel limits and seasons on the lake through March 31, 2013. This should be an interesting place to fish with the Wild West atmosphere that could ensue.
“We have chosen to temporarily lift the regulations in order to reduce the number of fish in the lake in anticipation of a reduced lake size,” said Dave Miko, chief of the PFBC Division of Fisheries Management. “We want anglers to fish the water and harvest and make good use out of as many fish as they can.”
Maybe some fish relocation to other lakes in the area would have been a more sporting alternative.
Due to the draw down the boat ramp has been closed too.
Lower Woods Pond is located in Lebanon Township, Wayne County. It is owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the PFBC. Construction costs to repair the facility are estimated at $2 million.
The lake’s dam is one of 11 dams managed by the PFBC which are classified by the state Department of Environmental Protection as high-hazard and unsafe. Nine of the dams do not have funding. Fixing the nine unfunded dams would cost about $43 million.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Oil Slick Could Reach Delaware River
The former Erie-Lackawanna Railroad site is now owned by the city of Port Jervis, NY on the southern end of the Upper Delaware River National Scenic & Recreation River. This also happens to be on the northern end of another national park, The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Between these two National Parks there is over 110 miles of river supposedly protected.
I say supposedly because the latest thing to surface (no pun) is an underground oil slick made up of more than 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel that could contaminate the special protection water of the Delaware River.
The NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) plans on building an interceptor trench to prevent the oil slick from reaching the river. The oil slick is currently located about 1/4 mile from the site and officials estimate that it could take 20 years for the oil to reach the river. I don't know about you, but that makes me feel much better since we all know "officials" are always right.
Why doesn't the state use some of the modern technology that exists in the oil & gas industry to suck this diesel fuel from the ground. It's 10,000 gallons of already refined crude oil that should have a better use somewhere else. Or is it the technology that can extract natural gas from thousands of feet below the surface not capable of extracting an oil slick from several feet below the surface? Is it not a safe technology?
We can expect to see more of these situations if fracking for natural gas is ever allowed in the Delaware River Basin. It might be diesel fuel or some other harmful product or by-product the gas industry will leave behind. That's one thing history has taught us about that industry, they don't discriminate.
I say supposedly because the latest thing to surface (no pun) is an underground oil slick made up of more than 10,000 gallons of diesel fuel that could contaminate the special protection water of the Delaware River.
The NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) plans on building an interceptor trench to prevent the oil slick from reaching the river. The oil slick is currently located about 1/4 mile from the site and officials estimate that it could take 20 years for the oil to reach the river. I don't know about you, but that makes me feel much better since we all know "officials" are always right.
Why doesn't the state use some of the modern technology that exists in the oil & gas industry to suck this diesel fuel from the ground. It's 10,000 gallons of already refined crude oil that should have a better use somewhere else. Or is it the technology that can extract natural gas from thousands of feet below the surface not capable of extracting an oil slick from several feet below the surface? Is it not a safe technology?
We can expect to see more of these situations if fracking for natural gas is ever allowed in the Delaware River Basin. It might be diesel fuel or some other harmful product or by-product the gas industry will leave behind. That's one thing history has taught us about that industry, they don't discriminate.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Delaware Watershed Conservation Coalition’s Suggested Changes/Additions to FFMP/OST
Changes are definitely needed in the current water management plan and the Friends of the Upper Delaware River was at the most recent Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC) Regulatory Flow Advisory Committee's (RFAC) meeting adding their two cents for the health of the river and fish.
You can read their comments and input here: http://www.fudr.org/blog/2012/12/12/delaware-watershed-conservation-coalitions-suggested-changesadditions-to-ffmpost/
You can read their comments and input here: http://www.fudr.org/blog/2012/12/12/delaware-watershed-conservation-coalitions-suggested-changesadditions-to-ffmpost/
Friday, December 7, 2012
Delaware River Basin Commission Rejects Petition To Regulate Pipelines
The Delaware River Basin Commission officially rejected the request that it exercise its existing authority over pipelines. This decision is in response to a request for a hearing submitted on August 9 and a petition submitted on September 12 by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and signed on to by 52 environmental, civic, community and faith organizations.
13 new pipeline projects (including expansions) are proposed for the Delaware River watershed. There is no state or federal agency that is considering the cumulative impact of all of these new projects. The DRBC is the one agency that has the jurisdiction and mission that would support a cumulative impacts assessment and ensure compliance with special protection water regulations of the agency.
“DRBC’s decision not to review pipeline projects is pure cowardice; the agency is more interested in protecting contributions to its budget from the states than carrying forth the mission for which it was created, which is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin for us all, not the gas drillers and pipeline companies,” said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.
“Pipelines are a known and growing source of air pollution that is contributing to climate change, to water pollution from polluted runoff, and to the devastation of wetlands, streams, and healthy forests critical for flood and species protection,” said van Rossum. “They are also responsible for the increased taking of private and public lands through the exercise and/or threat of their eminent domain authority. They are the big bully partners of the gas drillers and it is sad to see the DRBC duck their responsibilities.”
According to a map handed out by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network at the meeting, new pipelines and expansions are proposed to cut through the counties of:
Pennsylvania: Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lebanon, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne
New Jersey: Gloucester, Hunterdon and Sussex Counties
Delaware: New Castle and Kent Counties
New York: Broome, Delaware, Orange and Sullivan Counties
13 new pipeline projects (including expansions) are proposed for the Delaware River watershed. There is no state or federal agency that is considering the cumulative impact of all of these new projects. The DRBC is the one agency that has the jurisdiction and mission that would support a cumulative impacts assessment and ensure compliance with special protection water regulations of the agency.
“DRBC’s decision not to review pipeline projects is pure cowardice; the agency is more interested in protecting contributions to its budget from the states than carrying forth the mission for which it was created, which is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin for us all, not the gas drillers and pipeline companies,” said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.
“Pipelines are a known and growing source of air pollution that is contributing to climate change, to water pollution from polluted runoff, and to the devastation of wetlands, streams, and healthy forests critical for flood and species protection,” said van Rossum. “They are also responsible for the increased taking of private and public lands through the exercise and/or threat of their eminent domain authority. They are the big bully partners of the gas drillers and it is sad to see the DRBC duck their responsibilities.”
According to a map handed out by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network at the meeting, new pipelines and expansions are proposed to cut through the counties of:
Pennsylvania: Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lebanon, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne
New Jersey: Gloucester, Hunterdon and Sussex Counties
Delaware: New Castle and Kent Counties
New York: Broome, Delaware, Orange and Sullivan Counties
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Petitioners want more oversight on pipelines in the Delaware River watershed
With tens of thousand of miles of new natural gas pipelines expected to transverse the Delaware River watershed through PA, NJ & NY to move the Marcellus natural gas being fracked from wells, conservation groups have petitioned the Delaware River Basin Commission to take jurisdiction over pipeline proposals by using the existing authority granted to the multi-state commission.
"The DRBC should use its existing authority, or establish new authority, to ensure … no new pipelines will be constructed that might adversely affect water quality,” said Kate Sinding, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council who, along with 51 other organizations, has signed onto the petition.
The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is made up of the governors of PA, NJ, NY and DE along with a representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The DRBC can enact rules and regulations to protect the watershed.
"The DRBC should use its existing authority, or establish new authority, to ensure … no new pipelines will be constructed that might adversely affect water quality,” said Kate Sinding, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council who, along with 51 other organizations, has signed onto the petition.
The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is made up of the governors of PA, NJ, NY and DE along with a representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The DRBC can enact rules and regulations to protect the watershed.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Another way a river is mismanaged
New York City hoards water only to dump it
when it could have been released without threat to water supplies to
protect the health of the rivers. This shows what an absolute failure
their OST management plan really is. A plan looks ahead. This is totally
reactionary. It's a plan that gives the river water when it doesn't
need it and doesn't give it water when it does need it.
New York City Reservoir Drawn Down to Prepare for Hurricane Sandy
Residents along Delaware River Should Expect Higher Water Levels
HARRISBURG -- The partner governments who cooperatively manage the
Delaware River—Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and New York
City—announced today that more than 120 million gallons of water per
day are being released from the Neversink Reservoir in Sullivan County,
New York.
The water is being released from the reservoir, located in the Delaware River basin about 75 miles northwest of New York City, in order to make room for rainfall from Hurricane Sandy.
“While modeling forecasts show the storm may lose strength when it makes landfall, there are still large volumes of rain that are expected to come down,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “In order to create more capacity in the reservoir to capture stormwater and prevent spilling, everyone has agreed that a release at Neversink Reservoir is in all of our best interests.
“Residents along the Delaware River may see higher than normal river volumes in the coming days in advance of the storm,” he said. “But this release now will help prevent the possibility of much higher river flows and flooding later on in the course of the storm event.”
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania and its partners signed an extension of a water management agreement that allowed for such releases in advance of storms. The agreement also includes measures to protect the habitat in the waterways and to balance the drinking water needs of millions of residents in the four states.
The two other New York City-owned reservoirs in the Delaware River watershed, Pepacton and Cannonsville, are at about 70 percent capacity. Additional releases at these reservoirs will not be conducted at this time. The Cannonsville Reservoir is along the West Branch of the Delaware River, and the Pepacton is on the East Branch.
The water is being released from the reservoir, located in the Delaware River basin about 75 miles northwest of New York City, in order to make room for rainfall from Hurricane Sandy.
“While modeling forecasts show the storm may lose strength when it makes landfall, there are still large volumes of rain that are expected to come down,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “In order to create more capacity in the reservoir to capture stormwater and prevent spilling, everyone has agreed that a release at Neversink Reservoir is in all of our best interests.
“Residents along the Delaware River may see higher than normal river volumes in the coming days in advance of the storm,” he said. “But this release now will help prevent the possibility of much higher river flows and flooding later on in the course of the storm event.”
Earlier this year, Pennsylvania and its partners signed an extension of a water management agreement that allowed for such releases in advance of storms. The agreement also includes measures to protect the habitat in the waterways and to balance the drinking water needs of millions of residents in the four states.
The two other New York City-owned reservoirs in the Delaware River watershed, Pepacton and Cannonsville, are at about 70 percent capacity. Additional releases at these reservoirs will not be conducted at this time. The Cannonsville Reservoir is along the West Branch of the Delaware River, and the Pepacton is on the East Branch.
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