The management of the NYC water system on the upper Delaware could only be viewed as negligence in a court of law, if flow management is of no concern, potential law suits should be.
Since NYC cares little for people or property damage, we should ask our legislators to have the EPA step in as well, given the amount of ecological damage.
Since NYC cares little for people or property damage, we should ask our legislators to have the EPA step in as well, given the amount of ecological damage.
NYC must be held legally accountable for the down stream impacts of its water management. If done so, NYC would be forced to perform a cost-benefit analysis and may be willing to invest the necessary capital to raise the dam level.
I'm all in favor of asking nicely. But I doubt NYC will listen. Stronger measures will probably be required. All of us who are adversely affected by NYC's arrogance will have to consider stronger political and legal options in order to resolve this impasse.
it doesn't take an enviromental engineering degree to realize that snow turns into water-duh! releasing it GRADUALLY over a period of time will reduce this deluge and is much more considerate to your downstream neighbors
than flooding them out of their homes. or maybe you just don't care?
I watched the river recede from my basement door during the April flood... right on schedule at 1:30 AM. WE breathed a sigh of relief and went to bed. At 6:30 AM when we got up, the basement was flooded. Yes... water was released DURING THE FLOOD! Unbelievable.
Although I doubt the Dept. of Socalled Environmental Protection will pay any attention to a petition for action as logical and as beneficial to the environment as this one, I enthusiastically endorse this request.
The environmental disaster that occured in early April along the shores of the Delaware River from Hancock, NY to Northeast Philadelphia could have been easily avoided with proper water flow management.
A total disregard for trout fishery is one thing, but there is no excuse for disregarding the safety of human beings who happen to live or work downriver from the NYC reservoirs!
The Delaware River System has been, and always will be, an important and vital resource, not only for drinking water or downstream flows, but for the local economies in the watershed.
It is about time that NYC's political apparatus started managing the reservoir system with some degree of common sense. If they want to avoid building a drinking water treatment plant to the tune of 8 billion dollars, they should be willing to work with upstate communities, so as to benefit everyone. If they don't want to play ball, then to heck with them. Let them build the plant.
This is also a good time to address a bottom release from the Ashokan Reservoir as well to help control the flows in the lower Esopus Creek and Kingston area.
The US Army Corp. regulates the Fingerlakes to reduce potential devastating floods in the spring time, why not the NYC reservoirs or hold them (NYC)partially liable for the damage inflicted.
The DEP needs to draw down the resiviors from 100% capacity to 75%, 2 times of the year, March+April during snowmelt/spring rains and during the peak huricane season September+October. It certainly is a no brainer...
If the DEP would release water during the months that need it.(june,july & Aug) like Tu,FUDR and the FFoundation would like it would not to be so concerned about the winter & spring over flows.The summer releases would have a two fold effect. It would create great fishing during the summer and prevent overflow during the winter.
This proposal makes sense and the cost is minimal. Its time for the State & NY City to start making appropriate river flow management decisions that will benefit the Delaware River enviroment.
It's a crime that this wonderful resource cannot be properly managed for the benefit of many. With proper management the Delaware river basin could easily result in a financial boom for the surronding communities. Instead of building casino's lets fix what we already have. The recent flooding, and damage could have been avoided if proper flows were instituted.
