American Rivers rep visits region

Is the Delaware endangered enough to make the list twice?

By SANDY LONG

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER REGION — In 2007, the Upper Delaware River was awarded the dubious distinction of making the America’s Most Endangered Rivers ™ list due to a massive power line project proposed by New York Regional Interconnect (NYRI). Two years later, the Delaware, one of America’s first Wild and Scenic Rivers, faces a new threat in the form of natural gas extraction, as the oil and gas industry targets the Marcellus Shale play underlying much of the land on either side of the river.

Potential impacts are serious enough to have warranted recent moves to get a better handle on the process.

• New York Congressman Maurice Hinchey has asked the EPA to review its policies on the risk that hydrofracturing poses to drinking water supplies and EPA administrator Lisa Jackson has agreed that her agency needs to do so.

• The Delaware River Basin Commission, which oversees the water-related interests of the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, has instituted an interim policy eliminating review thresholds for gas extraction projects within the Delaware basin’s Special Protection Waters.

• Community boards in New York City have filed resolutions calling for statewide bans on drilling to protect drinking water.

• Pressure for more time and access is being applied to the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) by New York legislators and organizations as the DEC prepares to release its Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Study.

Making the list

The Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition filed the first nomination and the Upper Delaware River landed fourth on the list. NYRI recently announced withdrawal of its application to build the power line.

Today, another local group involved in the effort to protect the river and its watershed has announced its intention to re-nominate the river. “When the Upper Delaware River was designated a Most Endangered River in 2007, we never imagined that a threat even more ominous than power lines would present itself within the year,” said Barbara Arrindell, a founder of Damascus Citizens for Sustainability. “Because gas drilling has devastating effects on water purity and wildlife, not to mention quality-of-life issues like the clean air and the rural character we now enjoy in the Upper Delaware region, Damascus Citizens will nominate the river once again for Most Endangered status in 2010.”

The 2010 list marks the 25th anniversary for the annual report, which is published in April. The deadline for nominations has not yet been set, but will soon be posted on the organization’s website.

Longtime American Rivers supporter and resident of Long Eddy, NY, Don Downs, who is also a member of the 104-year-old Mohawk Canoe Club, invited American Rivers deputy vice president Wilke Nelson to join members of the club on the river beginning at Hancock, NY on May 23. “I was able not only to enjoy the beauty of the place and the day, and the good company of fellow river lovers, but also to get a sense of some of the conservation struggles of the past, present and future presented by insuring the river stays wild, vital and healthy for the benefit of wildlife and communities,” said Nelson.

“It was hard to believe this beautiful place is only a few hours from New York City and Philadelphia. It reminded me just how important it is for all of us to save rivers. I was pleased to learn that American Rivers had a role in helping to draw attention to the threat to the river presented by the construction of power lines.”

This time, the Delaware River is not alone, as rivers in other parts of the country are being called upon to assimilate the impacts of massive water withdrawals and wastewater discharges associated with processes like hydro-fracturing. “A lot of people have called it to our attention,” said Nelson. “We have people studying it.”

American Rivers does not currently keep a list of such rivers, but in its advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation’s rivers, it is likely that this cumulative perspective will become increasingly important.

The organization draws upon the power of national and local partners working together to protect rivers. “We try to unite groups behind a policy framework across the country that speaks to the needs of all rivers,” said Nelson. Visit www.AmericanRivers.org to learn more.