UDC letters address electric lines and gages

Salazar response sought on transmission line siting; gage removal protested

By SANDY LONG

NARROWSBURG, NY — Members of the Upper Delaware Council voted to approve two draft letters and to develop a third at their monthly meeting on April 2.

The first letter will be sent to United States Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and addresses the issue of the potential conflicts between the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 and the National Energy Policy Act of 2005, specifically National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors and the siting of major electric transmission lines. The UDC seeks to know Salazar’s position on this issue as it relates to the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (UDSRR).

The letter notes that land-use decisions within the UDSRR corridor are primarily determined by local and state regulations in conformance with the River Management Plan. The letter specifies, “The plan characterizes major electric transmission lines as an ‘incompatible use’ anywhere in the river corridor,” and continues, “As per the Energy Policy Act, there is a potential that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could override the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the states’ traditional siting authority over major electric lines.”

The letter calls upon Salazar to resolve the potential conflicts between the federal laws and “ensure that the UDSRR corridor will continue to be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.”

The second letter will go to Suzette Kimball, acting director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), regarding the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (NYC DEP) proposed reduction of funding for USGS stream gages. The UDC affirms its support of the continued operation of the gages for their “critically invaluable information for flood protection, recreational use, and biological needs for aquatic habitat,” and requests notification and the opportunity to provide comment on the removal of any gages.

Copies of both letters will be sent to 28 federal and state government agencies and representatives.

The council also voted to draft a letter to the NYC DEP highlighting the importance of the gages and protesting the funding reduction.