Hinchey, recreational business owner fear proposal for the Delaware River's flow could leave region high and dry.
By Greg Bruno, April 12, 2007, Times Herald-Record

Milford, Pa. — As the Delaware River Basin Commission ponders a new flow plan, recreational business owners are warning the proposal could drain portions of the upper waterway.
And to Dave Jones, owner of Kittatinny Canoes here, that's a stormy proposition.

"There are millions of flood victims, and millions of dollars in jobs and businesses" at stake, Jones said yesterday. "I'm just one little guy fighting to protect the river, and my business."

Dubbed the Flexible Flow Management Plan, the plan being considered by the commission would adjust flow targets and establish guidelines for the release of water from reservoirs owned by New York City.   The commission says the changes would protect residents from a repeat of recent flooding and balance the needs of everything relying on Delaware's resources — from fishing guides to wild trout.  But critics say the flow management blueprint on the table fails to do two things. They say it doesn't ensure enough space in the reservoirs during the spring to capture excess rainfall and snow melt, seen as vital for flood control. And, they say it doesn't set aside supplies to guarantee the Upper Delaware flows steadily during the summer.
"The whole region is really getting a raw deal," said Jones.

Commission spokeswoman Kate O'Hara said agency staff are reviewing public comments on the plan and might issue a second proposal incorporating the suggestions. The commission is preparing to push back a vote on the flow plan until mid-July in order to further consider concerns.

Few are waiting idly by, however. At a recent meeting on the subject in Hawley dozens of watershed residents turned out to protest the proposed flow plan.

Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, N.Y., is also diving into the water war. In a letter to commission secretary Paula Schmitt last week, Hinchey warned that many residents fear the plan sells them short.
Specifically, Hinchey said the draft plan sets minimum river levels for the Lower Delaware, but lacks adequate monitoring stations. Without those stations, upper reaches will be ignored.

Hinchey said the oversight could mean water released from New York reservoirs would not be enough to ensure that trout — and boaters — have enough water in the summer.

The congressman said the proposed flood mitigation program is "not year- round" and would not address "potential flooding from heavy rains in the spring."

"The current flow management proposal falls short of protecting the interests of the Upper Delaware Valley," Hinchey said, "particularly on the issues of flood mitigation, fisheries protection and the needs of the recreational boating businesses."

To download the plan online, visit www.drbc.net.