Conservation leaders honored at dinner

Student film about Tocks Island Dam Project screened

By SANDY LONG

MATAMORAS, PA — In addition to great food, good conversation and awards aimed at recognizing the importance of conservation and planning, the Pike County Conservation District’s (PCCD) annual dinner offered something extra this year: a screening of the video documentary, “Controversy on the Delaware: A Look Upstream at the Tocks Island Dam Project.”

The film was produced in 2006 by former Delaware Valley High School students Ryan Balton, Nick Troiano and Brett Fuchs. It traces the history of the controversial project and features local officials, residents and business people like Ruth Jones of Kitattinny Canoes, whose family, along with many others, fought to maintain the Delaware River as one of the longest undammed rivers in the Northeast.

The dinner was held at the Riverview Inn in Matamoras and was attended by community leaders, government officials, members of various state agencies and environmental organizations, as well as PCCD staff members and volunteers.

The PCCD is charged with conserving Pike County’s soil and water in order to preserve the county’s abundant natural resources and protect the health and welfare of its people. The agency provides related information and educational materials, as well as state and federal regulatory and permit information.

The agency maintains an inventory of maps, technical manuals, books, videos, slides and curricula, along with growth management and watershed planning information with details on conservation design for residential and commercial development. Most resource materials are available on loan and technical assistance is conducted free of charge.

Visit www.pikeconservation.org or call 570/226-8220 for additional information.