LACKAWAXEN - To highlight the importance of rivers in the year 2000, a paddle that is being dipped into watersheds throughout all 50 states will pass from Pennsylvania to New York across the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River on Friday August 25.

A public ceremony will begin at 12:00 noon on the PA side of Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct in Lackawaxen and conclude at approximately 1:00 p.m. with a light lunch. River enthusiasts, conservationists and canoeists are expected to attend.

Participants will gather on the bridge overlook to hear remarks by officials from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State of New York, Upper Delaware Council and National Park Service.

The official passing of the paddle will take place mid-way across the Roebling Bridge after a symbolic dip. A complimentary lunch will follow at the NPS's Margold House, headquarters of The Eagle Institute, located on Scenic Drive in Lackawaxen.

Prior to its Upper Delaware appearance, the paddle entered Pennsylvania from Ohio. Pass the Paddle began in Washington, D.C. on April 1 and has already visited 38 states on its seven-month journey across North America. Over 200 rivers will be visited. On October 7, the paddle will return to Washington for presentation to President Clinton before making its eventual home in the Smithsonian Institute.

This ceremonial activity is part of a river-based new millennium initiative led by the River Management Society with a coalition of national, state and regional partners. Visit the www.rivers2000.org web site to learn more.

While no reservations are required for the outdoor Pass the Paddle noon ceremony on August 25, those interested in staying for the light lunch are asked to contact Sandra Schultz in PA at 570/729-8251 or Laurie Ramie in NY at 845/252-3022 by August 23.

REGION - Superintendent Calvin F. Hite announced that the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River will waive the interpretive tour fee at the Zane Grey Museum on Friday August 25 to commemorate the 84th anniversary of the National Park Service. Only 37 parks and historic sites were included in the system when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act on August 25 1915; today there are 378 park units in the National Park System, encompassing over 80 million acres.

The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River was established in 1978 to conserve, protect and interpret the river, its surrounding landscape and other values that qualified the Upper Delaware River for inclusion in the National System of Wild and Scenic Rivers

The Zane Grey House/Museum was the home of famous author Zane Grey, the "Father of the Western Novel." Grey was an outstanding baseball player and, as an angler, set a dozen world records. The National Park Service acquired the house and museum in 1989. It is open Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through Labor Day, then weekends through October. Other than for the National Park Day commemoration, a nominal fee is charged for ranger-guided tours, with no charge for children under ten years of age.

BEACH LAKE - The National Park Service (NPS) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have pooled resources to fund and conduct a survey to determine the diversity, abundance and distribution of freshwater mussels in the Upper Delaware River.

The study began in early July and will continue through the summer months, with a goal of completing the entire 73.4 miles of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Survey work is being done by USGS personnel out of the Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, office, with assistance from NPS staff from the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. The study is conducted primarily by snorkeling, with NPS divers surveying the deeper pools on the river.

The study will provide detailed information about types of mussels, their numbers and distribution throughout the river. Permanent monitoring transects will also be established so that mussel populations here can be assessed on an annual basis. A report will be completed when the study is finished and the data obtained is analyzed.

Freshwater mussels are an important part of the river's natural filtering system. A single mussel can siphon and strain up to 5 gallons of water a day, filtering bacteria, algae and other particulate matter from the water and contributing to water quality and clarity. They serve as overall indicators of water quality by their presence, and also provide a food source for other animals.

North America historically had about 300 species of freshwater mussels, by far the highest diversity in the world. Today they are the most rapidly declining animal group in the United States, about half of which are extinct, endangered, threatened or potentially justifying federal protection. PA alone has lost 22 species of mussels since 1900. Fifty-eight species are currently listed as threatened or endangered nationwide.

For more information contact Don Hamilton at 570/729-7842.

LIVINGSTON MANOR - The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum on Old Route 17 between Roscoe and Livingston Manor is the place to be on Saturday August 26 for the Annual Angler's Summerfest from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This all-day festival features a flea market, guest fly tyer John Roetman from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., casting competition for distance and accuracy, a chance to see the Museum, book signing with Pouf Jorgensen from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. and casting demonstration by Joan Wulff at 2:00 p.m. by casting pond. Guests can stroll on SO beautiful acres or fish in bordering Wulff Run on the Willowemoc Creek.

Everyone is welcome. For more information call Tracey or Sue at 845/439-4810.