Sorensen and Crandall named admirals

UPPER DELAWARE VALLEY — Daniel Skinner is known in Upper Delaware Valley history as the first man to navigate a raft of logs down the Delaware River. He was a strategist who employed the unlimited power of the stream to convey his timber to the world market. For most of his life, Skinner was addressed as Admiral.

The Delaware River Sojourn is an annual event intended to heighten awareness and appreciation for the historical, recreational and economic significance of the river, which flows through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. It is also about conservation education.

Each day during the Sojourn, someone who has played a role in protecting the river will be designated as either Lord or Lady High Admiral of the Delaware River Sojourn with great flourish and ceremony and will wear a special Delaware River Sojourn Admiral’s hat. This year, the Admirals will be Richard B. Crandall and Alan J. Sorensen.

Since March of 1997, Sorensen has been the Commissioner of Planning and Community Development for Sullivan County. He is being recognized for his work in establishing the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and Sullivan County’s Main Street Redevelopment Center. Sorensen developed the small grant guidelines and secured $200,000 in state funds to make the program a reality.

Richard B. Crandall is being recognized as Lord High Admiral for his work in the Town of Tusten, particularly for his leadership in committing to the rehabilitation of the Tusten Stone Arch Bridge after it was damaged in a torrential downpour on August 12, 2000.

Crandall is the Town of Tusten Supervisor.

For more information on the Sojourn visit drbc.net.

Audubon Society plans
trip to Wangum Falls

HONESDALE, PA — The Northeast PA Audubon Society is organizing a field trip to Wangum Falls on Saturday, June 14 at 8:00 a.m. Activities will include bird watching with Barbara Leo, observing the wild flowers with Floyd Schankenberg and learning the history of the Pennsylvania Coal Company’s gravity railroads in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Meet at the Salvation Army Store parking lot on Willow Avenue on Route 6. For more information call 570/253-0639.

Animal underpasses fail

ALBANY, NY — According to a new study, co-authored by New York State Museum researchers, underpasses designed to keep wildlife off of the Adirondack Northway (I-87) are not working.

Researchers set up camera traps and used tracking techniques to record animals using 19 drainage culverts and underpasses specifically designed for wildlife and human use.

Only four raccoons passed through a single culvert. Researchers suspect raccoons are not using the culvert for passage; instead, they are hunting for crayfish or amphibians in the wet tube.

Scott LaPoint, lead author of the study, said, “Many animals do not cross the road and this isolates populations on either side.” A greater danger of local extinction results from isolation on either side of the highway.

The results of this study indicate that new interstates planned for the region, including the proposed Rooftop Highway to connect 181 and 187 from Watertown to Plattsburgh, would take a heavy toll on wildlife, said the authors.

For more information call 518/474-5877.

A mighty river calls for safety

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER — Since the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River began river operations in 1980, there have been 41 victims of drowning. Presently, one boater is missing and presumed drowned. In 42 cases, every victim was not wearing a properly fitted life jacket.

Many boaters and swimmers will take to the Delaware in the coming weeks, and to ensure an enjoyable trip and a quick response in the event of capsize, the National Park Service offers the following tips:

Always wear a properly fitted life jacket. All vessels on the Upper Delaware are required to have a readily accessible Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board. Inner tubes are considered vessels. Children 12 and under are required to wear their life jackets when boating on the river.

Never tie a life jacket into a vessel. This will not save your life. If your boat capsizes, be ready to help yourself.

Call before you go. Before you go on the river, find out what to expect by calling the river information hotline at 845/252-7100. This recording is updated daily with reports of air and water temperatures, river heights, and local weather conditions.

If you capsize, keep upstream of the craft. A canoe, even filled with water, is a good floatation device, but be sure to stay upstream of your vessel. The force of the water can easily pin a person between their vessel and a river obstacle.

Float on your back with your feet forward and close to the surface to fend off any rocks. Never stand up in fast-moving water; your feet or legs could become trapped, allowing the current to pull you under.