Posted on March 28 2020
On behalf of the FUDR Board of Directors and staff, we hope this note finds all of you safe and healthy during these difficult times.
We’re writing to relay how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Upper Delaware River region and to let you know that FUDR continues to push ahead with our work to protect and restore the river despite the difficulties posed by the spread of this virus.
As the 2020 UDR recreational season approaches, it’s important to keep in mind what state and local authorities are saying about travel to the region. Both New York and Pennsylvania have issued orders for all non-essential businesses to close. This includes restaurants, bars, lodges, hotels, fly shops and guide services. Additionally, both states have urged residents to stay home and only travel for essential purposes.
Delaware County, NY has declared a State of Emergency and issued a directive discouraging travel into the county. County authorities remind people that many public services are under strain due to a reduced workforce in this rural setting and increased visitation in the coming months will further exacerbate that problem.
These orders are designed to protect both the health and safety of our local communities and the people that live in the UDR region as well as visitors who come to enjoy our area.
Please continue to monitor all virus related federal, state, and local government advisories and orders related to the Upper Delaware River and we will keep you updated if/when any new developments arise.
As noted above, the work to protect the river never stops, and FUDR staff continues to work every day (from our homes) on several important initiatives and projects. Here are some highlights:
- Our stream restoration projects in the tailwaters are moving ahead and we’re working closely with Trout Unlimited and our coalition partners to prepare the next set of federal funding applications for a new suite of on-the-ground projects that will enhance water quality, improve aquatic habitat, mitigate flooding, protect public infrastructure, and expand river related recreational opportunities.
- We are keeping a close eye on proposed changes to New York State’s trout fishing regulations. These regulatory modifications will have significant impacts for the Upper Delaware River. We will send out more details once the draft plan from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is released. We expect this to happen in the coming weeks.
- We are closely monitoring water availability in the NYC reservoirs and what that will mean for springtime water releases from the NYC Delaware basin reservoirs. We are also monitoring the effectiveness of two new water release protocols, implemented in 2019, that are designed to cool UDR water temperatures during periods of hot weather and reduce rapid fluctuations in water releases and river levels.
- In 2020, The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will finalize their 3-year UDR joint fisheries investigation. This will set the stage for a first ever UDR wild trout management plan.
- We rescheduled the FUDR 13th Annual One Bug celebration. The new date is October 2-4, 2020. We hope to see you all there!
We know that everybody’s lives have been altered by the COVID-19 pandemic and that health and safety is of paramount importance now. Please rest assured that, while we all wait and pray for a return to normalcy, FUDR continues to keep a watchful and vigilant eye on the river that we all love so much.
Our thoughts are with you and your families, we look forward to better times soon!
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