Dyberry an ‘exceptional value’ waterway

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — Dyberry Creek is one of seven streams in Pennsylvania that have been designated as “exceptional value” waterways by the Environmental Quality Board of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP secretary John Hanger said, “Streams that are designated as ‘exceptional value’ will receive the highest level of protection against pollution from point and non-point sources that could affect the quality and aquatic health of the watershed.” DEP recommended the new designations based on five years of data collected through Pennsylvania’s Water Quality Network, which provides long-term, fixed-location monitoring of watersheds’ chemical and biological quality.

Surface water quality standards are mandated by the federal Clean Water Act, which requires states to designate uses for streams such as drinking water, recreation and fishing, and to set criteria to protect streams for those uses. An anti-degradation component of the act requires that streams designated as exceptional value must be maintained at existing quality.

For more information visit www.depweb.state.pa.us , keyword: Water Quality.

Hinchey act would curb bank risk-taking

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) has introduced a bill that would reinstate the Banking Act of 1933, better known as the Glass-Steagall Act, in order to separate investment banking from commercial banking. The congressman said he intends for the measure to break up oversized banks, restore consumer protections and avoid future financial collapses like the one that began last year.

The Glass-Steagall Act prevented taxpayer-insured banks from undertaking risky investment banking transactions of the type that created the recent financial meltdown. In the wake of its repeal, the face value of over-the-counter derivatives at commercial banks has grown to $290 trillion, 95 percent of which are held at just five financial institutions. The bill would statutorily require banking giants to decide whether they want to serve as a commercial bank or an investment bank and require them to cease activities in one of those areas within one year of the bill’s enactment.

Ribbon cutting for woman soldier nonprofit

DAMASCUS, PA — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on December 18 to help get a new non-profit organization off the ground. The organization, called “All About My Time Now,” has a mission “to provide a healing place and temporary residence” to military women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The effort is being spearheaded by Michele Schuchman, also known as Grandma Michele, and is currently based in her home at 349 Steiner Rd., Damascus. Schuchman said of the organization, “We hope to provide a haven for these women and make their transition back to normal, everyday life as simple and rewarding as possible.”

Schuchman is seeking donations to help the organization pursue its mission. Visit www.allaboutmytimenow.com for more information.

Upper Delaware Council sets annual meeting

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the UDC office located at 211 Bridge Street in Narrowsburg, NY. Cake and coffee will be served after the meeting.

The incoming 2010 officers, chairperson Harold G. Roeder Jr. (Town of Delaware, NY), vice-chairperson Dolores Keesler (Damascus Township, PA) and secretary-treasurer John B. Niflot (Town of Fremont, NY), will be sworn in by Town of Delaware Justice H. John Kramer.

The meeting will include reorganizational issues; status reports from the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the National Park Service and the UDC executive director; discussion of old and new business; and public comment.

All meetings of the Upper Delaware Council are open to the public. For a schedule of 2010 meeting dates or other information, visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or call 845/ 252-3022.