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At the February meeting of the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), delegate from the Town of Deerpark, Phil Chase, again offered remarks about the need for flood control on the Upper Delaware. He bemoaned what he described as control by the City of New York, over what happens in the watershed. The City aims to keep water in its reservoirs for their water supply. Too much water in the Cannonsville and Pepacton reservoirs, however, can lead to downstream flooding should there be a heavy snow pack that suddenly melted, or an ill-timed major storm.
“New York City is running our watershed, not the DRBC (Delaware River Basin Commission),” said Chase, noting that the City, along with the four Basin states (PA, NY, NJ and DE) have equal votes. Unanimous votes are needed to pass a measure. Chase called on DRBC to enact tougher resolutions; if the y are voted down by the City, then the public can be educated on who really manages.
“The Supreme Court Decree of 1954 needs to be changed so that a majority vote rules, not New York City,” Chase added. “We’re not worried until a flood occurs.” He reminded the Council of the yearly river corridor flooding in the mid-2000’s.
As of Feb. 4, the Cannonsville was at 92.2 percent capacity, and Pepacton at 96.9. The reservoirs were holding 257.5 billion gallons, 116.2 billion above the DRBC drought watch line.
What was desired, he said, was to keep a 20 percent void in the reservoirs to hold more runoff and storm water.
UDC Director William Douglass reminded that the 22nd annual UDC Awards Banquet will be held Sunday, April 25, at Eldred Preserve. Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther is the keynote speaker. Public nominations will be sought for award recipients.
The UDC meets on the first Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at their offices, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg. For more information call (845)252-3022.
At the February meeting of the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), delegate from the Town of Deerpark, Phil Chase, again offered remarks about the need for flood control on the Upper Delaware. He bemoaned what he described as control by the City of New York, over what happens in the watershed. The City aims to keep water in its reservoirs for their water supply. Too much water in the Cannonsville and Pepacton reservoirs, however, can lead to downstream flooding should there be a heavy snow pack that suddenly melted, or an ill-timed major storm.
“New York City is running our watershed, not the DRBC (Delaware River Basin Commission),” said Chase, noting that the City, along with the four Basin states (PA, NY, NJ and DE) have equal votes. Unanimous votes are needed to pass a measure. Chase called on DRBC to enact tougher resolutions; if the y are voted down by the City, then the public can be educated on who really manages.
“The Supreme Court Decree of 1954 needs to be changed so that a majority vote rules, not New York City,” Chase added. “We’re not worried until a flood occurs.” He reminded the Council of the yearly river corridor flooding in the mid-2000’s.
As of Feb. 4, the Cannonsville was at 92.2 percent capacity, and Pepacton at 96.9. The reservoirs were holding 257.5 billion gallons, 116.2 billion above the DRBC drought watch line.
What was desired, he said, was to keep a 20 percent void in the reservoirs to hold more runoff and storm water.
UDC Director William Douglass reminded that the 22nd annual UDC Awards Banquet will be held Sunday, April 25, at Eldred Preserve. Assemblywoman Aileen M. Gunther is the keynote speaker. Public nominations will be sought for award recipients.
The UDC meets on the first Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at their offices, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg. For more information call (845)252-3022.
