At the March meeting of the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), Phil Chase expressed delight that the City of New York was releasing more reservoir water.
“I’m glad the need for flood control is being recognized,” said Chase, who is the UDC delegate from the New York Town of Deerpark. The City, which owns and operates the reservoirs feeding the Upper Delaware for their water supply, announced March 3rd that more water would be let out due to the high snow pack.
The snow pack in the Catskill/Delaware watershed in places reached as deep as four feet from the big snow storms the last week of February. To deal with the unusual snow pack, the City is increasing the releases into the Delaware River from the Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink reservoirs. The purpose is to create voids in the reservoirs to accept runoff and help avoid a damaging flood.
UDC Chairman Harold Roeder added, “We hope that the snow pack dissipates very peacefully so we won’t have any problems.”
Chase has faulted the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) for not issuing stricter resolutions in the face of the City of New York being able to issue what may be a lone nay vote. The City, and the four basin states (PA, NY, NJ and MD) each have a vote in the DRBC, which must be unanimous. Among others, Chase has voiced concern over the need for flood control by the City, which jealously protects its water levels. “How things can change quickly,” Chase remarked.
Roeder called it “a step in the right direction.”
Editor’s Note: Chairman Roeder commented on an initial story (March 6-7-8 issue) on the letter the UDC agreed to send to the DRBC on the Stone Energy Corp. natural gas application. He clarified that although he signed the letter, he did not write the letter, which contains the opinion collectively reached by the full Council.
The UDC meets on the first Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the UDC offices, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY.
Narrowsburg, NY —
