3/27/08 Response to Rendell

Dear Editor,

To tell you that I was shocked when I read the article by Governor Rendell regarding the flooding on the Delaware River would be an understatement. There are networks of thousands of people up & down the entire Delaware River Basin. We have been trying for over a year to get a response from Governor Rendell. Nothing - until now, and then when he finally speaks, he doesn't have his facts straight. Does he realizes that 9 lives were lost? Does he realize that 100s of millions of dollars are spent for infrastructure repair, not mention the emotional and physical toll on thousands of people? A petition signed by in excess of 10,000 people demanding 20% safety voids was delivered to his staff. He implies the flooding is a mere annoyance we must deal with so that NYC and Philadelphia have drinking water. He is far off base. His article is shameful.

Hundreds of comments were sent to the DRBC demanding among other things, 20% safety voids. There is more than enough water! Will the Governor sit down with us and go over the facts?

The FFMP that the Governor so proudly mentions WILL threaten Philadelphia's water. In addition to our plea for 20% safety voids, we have also demanded that the DRBC protect the Lower Basin water supplies and safe guard against the salt line intrusion moving up the Delaware River. The FFMP proposes to rescind NYC’s responsibility to maintain the flow of water at the Montague gauge and the Trenton gauge, thereby jeopardizing a healthy flow of the River, especially when NYC over-uses the Delaware River Reservoirs or when there is a real, bona fide drought in the Lower Basin.

I don't know who did the research for the Governor - but he should go back to his "source" and demand the facts instead of a fabricated and twisted version of the facts.

Sharron Dallas
Stockton, NJ
individually and as a member of
Aquatic Conservation Unlimited

Sharron Dallas
32 S Main St
Stockton, NJ 08559
(609) 306-6876