MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County Legislature and the County Visitors Association are asking the involved authorities to quickly resolve what they claim is an ongoing and potentially catastrophic crisis with the rules which govern releases of water from New York City reservoirs into the Delaware River.
For the past decade, a Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP) has guided the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in releasing water from the Neversink, Pepacton and Cannonsville reservoirs into the Delaware. Designed to supersede a 1983 agreement known as Revision 1, the FFMP was the result of years of intense negotiations amongst the City and the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
This week, the DEP announced it would gradually end those voluntary releases, steadily dropping the amounts to Revision 1 levels by October 10. The FFMP’s flood mitigation initiative, which seasonally required 10-percent voids in the three reservoirs, is also disappearing.
“If the involved parties cannot come to an agreement, Sullivan County and other Delaware-connected municipalities could suffer devastating blows to both the environment and tourism-dependent business,” Legislature Chair Luis Alvarez said. “Having worked much of my career in the river valley, I deeply understand the integral role the Delaware plays in dozens of communities within and far beyond Sullivan’s borders.”
“Communities like Narrowsburg have long been a draw because of the Delaware River flowing past their homes and businesses. To reduce that flow is to siphon away the very lifeblood of these towns and hamlets,” said Legislator Scott Samuelson, whose District 1 encompasses a substantial portion of the rivershed. “The impact could be catastrophic, harming both the ecology and economy of this gorgeously pristine destination.”
County Manager Josh Potosek said the county remains committed to the sustainability of the Delaware and those who rely upon it for personal and professional benefit.
“As I said earlier this year, Sullivan County will be reviewing its legal alternatives in the event that an agreement is not worked out amongst the negotiating parties,” Potosek said
