Delaware River guide Joe Demalderis shows off the kind of trout healthy flows can produce.
Photo courtesy Cross Current Guide Service
Last week, we asked you to send emails and make phone calls to convince officials from New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York City to agree on extending the current water-release plan (FFMP) from the NYC Delaware basin reservoirs, the source of the world-class trout fishery. Yesterday, it was announced that–even though New Jersey remains a holdout–the Delaware won’t suffer from low flows:
The states of Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania and New York City today announced an agreement on a plan to continue sustainable water management for the Delaware River. With support from the three states, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) will voluntarily release additional water from its Delaware System reservoirs to protect the ecological health of the Delaware River, maintain seasonal reservoir voids that enhance flood protection, and lessen the regional harm caused by the expiration of the Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP).
AT the moment, this is a voluntary move by NYC, and we must continue to keep pressure on all the players involved to reach a permanent agreement.
But the good new is that, for the time being, anglers can expect a healthy Delaware fishery. We owe thanks to Friends of the Upper Delaware River for leading the charge. Thanks also to all who emailed or picked up the phone to make their voices heard. When sportsman act together, we can wield mighty power.
As a New Jersey resident, I’d like to know what was my state’s reason for not going along with the water release plan? Did they object or just not respond? If they objected, what was the objection?