Posted on January 04 2021
The Upper Delaware River Watershed, located primarily in Delaware and Sullivan counties, is one of the most popular recreation and tourism destinations in New York. In addition to the hiking, kayaking, camping, and hunting opportunities, this region is home to one of the finest cold water wild trout fisheries in the country. The goods and services generated by these industries contribute $3.5 billion to the state’s economy. In the headwaters of the Delaware River watershed sit three New York City (NYC) water supply reservoirs.
Together, they provide millions of people with clean drinking water in New York City (NYC) and surrounding counties. While NYC invests significantly in this area to protect its reservoirs (green area on map), the region just below the dams – the “Tailwaters” (blue area on map) – receives little support from the city and state, despite the enormous value it brings to the regional and statewide economy.
Protecting this valuable natural resource is crucial for the communities that rely on it for their livelihoods. This region of the state is pristine, mostly rural, and the water is clean; however, increasing threats put the future health of the river at risk. Accelerated erosion and sedimentation of local streams, development, invasive species, a changing climate, and increased flooding all threaten this ecosystem and the industries it supports.
To keep this region healthy and improve its infrastructure and resilience, we must call for the Upper Delaware River to receive the recognition it deserves. While the region has received significant federal funding in recent years, thanks to the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, these grants require local matching funds which are often difficult to secure. Funding from New York State could help meet that challenge. Yet, the state has invested less than 5% of state conservation, water quality and watershed protection funding in this region.
To raise awareness about this hidden gem in upstate NY, FUDR and NYLCV formed the Alliance for the Upper Delaware River Watershed, a group of local, regional, and national organizations committed to protecting the future of this region. If you support this effort and want to see a formal recognition and more resources flowing to this region of our state, join FUDR, NYLCV, and the Alliance for the Upper Delaware River Watershed to show support and sign our petition – click here to sign!
The post Join FUDR, NYLCV, and the Alliance for the Upper Delaware River Watershed to Support the Protection and Restoration of the Upper Delaware River in NYS appeared first on FUDR.