Flood victims, don't celebrate yet
In an unexpected about face, PA Governor Ed Rendell (see page 9) called for larger releases from the NYC Delaware Basin Reservoirs, in a letter to the Decree Party Principals and Delaware River Master, “In light of the rain that is forecast for southeastern New York I, as chairman of the Delaware River Basin Commission, ask that you join me in taking action to help protect against potential Delaware River main stem flooding While substantial rains are not unusual for April, the reservoirs are already full. If approved, this agreement would allow the Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP) to be adjusted to provide augmented reservoir releases during the period April 1 through April 30, 2008.” Gov. Rendell urged “your immediate attention to and concurrence with this request.” Sounds great doesn’t it, at last Gov. Rendell is pointing to NYC Reservoirs! Don’t celebrate just yet and move your “stuff” back to the basement or first floor. In a reply letter to Gov. Rendell and Sec. McGinity of the PA DEP, which issued the press release, I voiced concerns regarding: “It is my understanding that the release values are not large enough to let out enough water to lower the reservoirs if a rain event is on the way. It is also my understanding that in the recent 3 floods no water was diverted when the reservoirs were at 100%. “How do you expect to lower the reservoirs as the rain events approach. Your concern appears to be a little too late, as we have been begging you both now for almost three years to put voids in the reservoirs as the nyc reservoirs are not flood control and therefore can not open gates to let water out quickly. “You both have allowed the citizens of pa to be sitting ducks, what you are doing to us is criminal!! The reservoirs have been full for months now. Where is the drought?” In my letter I referred to diversions, there are three ways to get water out of the NYC Reservoirs; (1) release values (2) spilling (3) diversions. The diversions take the water away and do not allow the water to go into the Delaware. The water can be diverted to the Roundout Reservoir or on to NYC or into the Hudson through shaft #6 No water was diverted during the previous three floods, so when the rain events occurred we received billions of gallons that were “spilled” from the already full and brimming over reservoirs. The release values are too small to let out enough water quickly to create a void to accommodate the approaching rain event! which is where we are now and have been for months! We have been spared a couple of times now, because we have not received the forecasted rain. Reality check - The FFMP will be voted on by the DRBC next month and will be good till 2011. (1) It contains no year around permanent safety voids (2) There are NO plans to equip NYC Reservoirs with larger release values (3) the releases that are planned for the reservoirs are not large enough to accommodate rain fall or snow pack melt, that is why we have full reservoirs now and have had during this past year that the FFMP has been in place. We will be sitting ducks until something changes! The good thing is Gov. Rendell pointed to the Reservoirs; the bad thing is it is only good until Apr 30, or as some say the election on the 26th. For all who live in N.J., N.Y., Del. or Pa. contact your Governor and request 20% year round safety voids in the FFMP. It will help to prevent the next reservoir flood, prevent: costly road, bridges, canal repair, ecology damage, lives lost, emotional distress and millions in tax payer’s dollars. We can not raise our river towns, bridges, canals or roads. Gail Pedrick, is a member of the PA Branch of the Delaware Riverside Conservancy and lives in New Hope. Visit www.drconline.org .