NYC DEP Waters Down Rendell Proposal
May 06, 2008

Governor Rendell's Watered-Down Flood Protection Proposal
By Chuck Schroeder

On April 2 Governor Ed Rendell sent a letter to the members of the Delaware River Basin Commission requesting that the reservoirs managed by the New York City Department of Environmental protection be lowered.

He wanted to give the people who live below these reservoirs some protection against flooding. This showed the Governor's concern and made the point that full reservoirs are dangerous when they stand in the path of incoming rains."

The Agreement that was eventually reached did little to provide flood protection. New York's Department of Environmental Protection

(NYCDEP) fought his suggestions and ultimately won a "watered-down" version of his original request.
The Agreement allowed the NYCDEP to "average" the contents of three reservoirs vs. drawing down all 3. This resulted in a lowering of the smallest of the 3 reservoirs so that its percentage of capacity could be played off against the other two huge reservoirs, keeping them as close to 100% as possible.

The Agreement lasted only two weeks, giving the Governor's flood protection plan a very short shelf life.
And worst of all, the Agreement did nothing to provide flood protection.

Today these reservoirs are near 100% again. Just waiting for the next big storm. We're praying that Governor Rendell, or somebody in power, will step up and force New York's DEP to show some caring for the Public Safety.