TRR photo by David Hulse DRBC official Pamela Bush told the Upper Delaware Council Thursday that the drought is not over. (Click for larger image)

DRBC may keep drought

By DAVID HULSE

NARROWSBURG — June brought a big comeback in New York City’s Delaware system reservoir storage, but a dry July and little rain in the future has Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) officials concerned.

Timeframes for downgrading drought intervention measures would allow the DRBC to return the river to normal release planning in August, but DRBC spokewoman Pamela Bush told the Upper Delaware Council on August 1, that it isn’t likely.

While the reservoirs remain in normal storage ranges currently, Bush pointed out that after a strong spring recharge, storage levels have dropped off by some 30 billion gallons in July and could soon approach drought-watch levels again.

Welcome to the valley

The honeymoon ended quickly last week for Upper Delaware National Park Service Superintendent David Forney, as Upper Delaware Council (UDC) members took him to task for limiting their input on details for the planned Mongaup Visitor Center.

After a month on the job, Forney was welcomed at his first monthly UDC session with a presentation of a UDC pin, by chair Lewis Schmalzle.

Then it got interesting. In his report, Forney noted that with the completion of “scoping sessions” to gather public input, NPS contractors and planners would move to the detail work at the chosen site, opposite Hawk Mountain Road in Deerpark.

Forney replied that public interaction would continue during the project, but was firm in saying that NPS would call the shots.

The unilateral decision on the site and the apparent closure of the project to further input, surprised some members. Deerpark delegate Phil Chase recalled Forney’s predecessor Calvin Hite’s promising that the UDC would have a continuing role. Chase said he could not recall having been involved at all.

Cochecton’s Larry Richardson took up Chase’s argument recalling that the UDC has in past had a closer relationship with the NPS “than the public.”

Forney assured the council that he would work to see that a close relationship continues.