HANCOCK, NY — Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) and Trout Unlimited (TU) have hired a summer field crew to survey streams in the towns of Colchester, Hancock, Rockland and western Sanford.

The crew will collect information on local stream conditions throughout the summer. FUDR and TU have coordinated this effort with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to help build a better understanding of where future stream and habitat work may be needed.

FUDR and TU work together to protect and restore the Upper Delaware River watershed and its coldwater streams. Through this partnership, FUDR and TU work with towns, landowners, agencies, conservation groups and community members on voluntary, non-regulatory projects that support more resilient local communities with clean water and healthy streams for thriving trout. All work is done in cooperation with willing landowners and local partners.

Stream assessments are one of the first steps in that work. By looking closely at stream conditions, the field crew can help identify places where erosion, poor habitat, undersized culverts, unstable banks or other issues may be affecting the health of the stream. The information gathered this summer will help FUDR, TU and their partners decide where future restoration or improvement projects could be most useful.

FUDR and TU are reaching out directly to landowners who may be impacted by the survey work. Outreach will be done by mail and, when possible, by phone. Any stream assessment work on private property will only take place with landowner permission. Community members may also see field staff walking along streams, taking measurements, recording observations and looking at stream features. The work is non-invasive and is intended to support long-term planning for healthy streams, trout habitat and local communities.

“Our goal is to learn more about the condition of local streams so we can make informed decisions about future projects,” said Molly Oliver of Friends of the Upper Delaware River. “These assessments help us understand what is happening on the ground and where future work could make the biggest difference.”

The information collected will support continued work with TU, DEC, local municipalities, landowners and community partners.

Residents with questions about the stream surveys are encouraged to contact Friends of the Upper Delaware River at info@fudr.org.