HALE EDDY, NY — The first-ever meeting of the Upper Delaware River Tailwaters Coalition (UDRTC) was held at the West Branch Angler Resort on September 12, drawing about 70 people concerned with trout fishing, the reservoirs, flooding and other river issues. The rivers at the center of the discussion are the main stem of the Delaware River north of Callicoon, and the West Branch and East Branch, which flow from the Cannonsville Reservoir and Pepacton Reservoir respectively to meet the main stem at Hancock.

With the creation of the reservoirs decades ago, there was also the creation of a cold water fishery, which has become an economic engine for the region. A report prepared by Shepstone Management estimates the economic impact of the cold water fishery on the region at $414 million. The report also says there is potential to add $274 million with more consistent cold-water releases from the two reservoirs.

As speakers addressed the gathering, more than one noted that there has been tension between the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the past, and local residents of the area. Arthur Merrill, supervisor of the Town of Colchester, said he does not view New York City and the DEP as an adversary, but the opposite view does still exist today among many residents.

However, the tone at the meeting was cordial and Congressman Chris Gibson, whose district now includes five New York City reservoirs, said in the three-and-a-half years he’s been in office, he has noticed that “the tone of the conversation appears to have improved, and I’ve seen some tangible results in terms of resources coming to our area.” Still, he said one area that needs attention is “below the dam areas.”

Paul Rush, deputy commissioner of the DEP, who grew up bait fishing and fly fishing in the Neversink River in Rock Hill, which is downstream of the reservoir of the same name, gave a presentation showing that the releases from the reservoirs have been altered significantly in recent years, and those changes have benefitted the cold water fishery and were also undertaken in part to address flooding issues.

Jim Serio, a fly-fishing advocate and real estate agent, participated in the creation of the current release management plan, which has resulted in much more water being released into the tailwaters than was the case in the past. He said the rivers have seen incremental releases over the past four decades, but he challenged the coalition to “take the next step,” and improve the coldwater fishery even more.