Delaware River Crisis Looms

[Big_Spinner]

Hi All,

Starting to get worried for the near future.

The current version of the FFMP release plan ends on May 31st. The past few years, the program has been extended each year on a temporary basis.

This year appears to be different.

The parties (NY, NJ, PA, DE and NYC) to the 1954 Supreme Court Decree have to have a unanimous vote to continue the current FFMP program.

Back in February, NJ stated they would not be able to extend the agreement unless their list of 8 demands were met.

Now, two months later the parties still have not even really sat down to negotiate a solution.

Now NJ has blustered like this in the past, but this time it feels a bit different.

Most involved with the situation feel that the FFMP may not be extended.

Now for the bad news. If FFMP is not extended there is a very good chance that we will revert back to the last permanent agreement which is called "Rev 1". This would be a huge step back as we would revert to the release table as specified in Rev 1.

June 1st releases under FFMP: WB = 500, EB = 140, NS = 110

June 1st releases under Rev 1: WB = 45, EB = 70, NS = 45

That is not a typo. The releases on the WB will drop from 500 to 45 overnight!!

Get your fishing in this month!!!

Jim

 

[Future Fanatic]

Hi All,

Starting to get worried for the near future.

The current version of the FFMP release plan ends on May 31st. The past few years, the program has been extended each year on a temporary basis.

This year appears to be different.

The parties (NY, NJ, PA, DE and NYC) to the 1954 Supreme Court Decree have to have a unanimous vote to continue the current FFMP program.

Back in February, NJ stated they would not be able to extend the agreement unless their list of 8 demands were met.

Now, two months later the parties still have not even really sat down to negotiate a solution.

Now NJ has blustered like this in the past, but this time it feels a bit different.

Most involved with the situation feel that the FFMP may not be extended.

Now for the bad news. If FFMP is not extended there is a very good chance that we will revert back to the last permanent agreement which is called "Rev 1". This would be a huge step back as we would revert to the release table as specified in Rev 1.

June 1st releases under FFMP: WB = 500, EB = 140, NS = 110

June 1st releases under Rev 1: WB = 45, EB = 70, NS = 45

That is not a typo. The releases on the WB will drop from 500 to 45 overnight!!

Get your fishing in this month!!!

Jim

Back to fly fisher folk praying for a deluge of water to have the alewifes pouring over the top in spring, then for drought conditions as soon as it happens so the Waterlords have to release water for the Montague target.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Hi All,

Starting to get worried for the near future.

The current version of the FFMP release plan ends on May 31st. The past few years, the program has been extended each year on a temporary basis.

This year appears to be different.

The parties (NY, NJ, PA, DE and NYC) to the 1954 Supreme Court Decree have to have a unanimous vote to continue the current FFMP program.

Back in February, NJ stated they would not be able to extend the agreement unless their list of 8 demands were met.

Now, two months later the parties still have not even really sat down to negotiate a solution.

Now NJ has blustered like this in the past, but this time it feels a bit different.

Most involved with the situation feel that the FFMP may not be extended.

Now for the bad news. If FFMP is not extended there is a very good chance that we will revert back to the last permanent agreement which is called "Rev 1". This would be a huge step back as we would revert to the release table as specified in Rev 1.

June 1st releases under FFMP: WB = 500, EB = 140, NS = 110

June 1st releases under Rev 1: WB = 45, EB = 70, NS = 45

That is not a typo. The releases on the WB will drop from 500 to 45 overnight!!

Get your fishing in this month!!!

Jim

New Jersey is clearly trying to pull PA onto its side because Rev 1 can threaten saltwater intrusion into Philly's drinking water supply, and the hope is that PA and NJ together can get NY City to finally allow more water into the river instead of hording it every year. It's risky, but it just might work. The unanimous consent for any changes doesn't necessitate that NJ pair up with any other decree party, but it seems they feel PA will be a willing co-conspirator for better flows. Delaware could care less and NY state caves in to their biggest city, so only NJ and PA can fight the big beast from the East (NYC).

 

[babyblue]

What about another major flood event. Looks like 2005/2006.
I found this document from NYC DEP
Search this:

Design of NYC reservoirs and performance during 2005 flood event

 

[oasis man]

With four days to go, what is the likely direction NYC will take on June 1st??? Will we be able to walk across the WB in our tennis shoes?

 

[afishinado]

http://www.delawarecurrents.org/ffmp-renewal.html

 

[Rusty Spinner]

http://www.delawarecurrents.org/ffmp-renewal.html

Best article I have read on the subject to date. This is a risky gamble by NJ and bears very close watching obviously. We have less than 38 hours to come to some agreement or we see Revision 1 implemented (I guess) on June 1st which is Thursday. Unless in the backroom with the Decree parties, we can only guess how discussions are going. But NJ's future water needs are going to have to come from the Delaware River as we simply don't have the supplies we need in the center of the state that remains our growth area moving forward.

 

[mudbug201]

Best article I have read on the subject to date. This is a risky gamble by NJ and bears very close watching obviously. We have less than 38 hours to come to some agreement or we see Revision 1 implemented (I guess) on June 1st which is Thursday. Unless in the backroom with the Decree parties, we can only guess how discussions are going. But NJ's future water needs are going to have to come from the Delaware River as we simply don't have the supplies we need in the center of the state that remains our growth area moving forward.

I get that it's now a game of chicken. My concern is that the other decree parties won't be able to agree about what concessions to offer New Jersey. It's not like there are two sides - there are four. Each with its own unique interests.

And with the clock winding down, New Jersey could actually decide to stay the course and bring Revision 1 as a wakeup call, knowing that it is NY and PA local economies that will take the hit.

They'll come to a new agreement, but at the cost of not just our fishing season, but the short term economic health of upstate towns and the longterm health of the aquatic ecosystem.

That's my chicken little scenario at least. Am I wrong? (Please tell me I'm wrong.)

 

[Rusty Spinner]

I get that it's now a game of chicken. My concern is that the other decree parties won't be able to agree about what concessions to offer New Jersey. It's not like there are two sides - there are four. Each with its own unique interests.

And with the clock winding down, New Jersey could actually decide to stay the course and bring Revision 1 as a wakeup call, knowing that it is NY and PA local economies that will take the hit.

They'll come to a new agreement, but at the cost of not just our fishing season, but the short term economic health of upstate towns and the longterm health of the aquatic ecosystem.

That's my chicken little scenario at least. Am I wrong? (Please tell me I'm wrong.)

While no angler wants to see Revision 1 back, the simple reality is that the river and the introduced trout in it survived Rev. 1 once and can again until the five Decree parties can agree on a new flow regime that really puts more water in the system and stops hoarding so much of it.

 

[tkhour]

While no angler wants to see Revision 1 back, the simple reality is that the river and the introduced trout in it survived Rev. 1 once and can again until the five Decree parties can agree on a new flow regime that really puts more water in the system and stops hoarding so much of it.

Agreed. But what about the bugs. Sure the fish can easily move but can the bugs? Now I'm no entomologist but I have to believe that exposed river bed can never be a good thing. Its been my experience that the hatches are not what they used to be. I typically float the main stem and I'm talking below buckingham.Blame that on low water conditions over the years? Maybe. Just my two cents for what its worth. Thanks

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Agreed. But what about the bugs. Sure the fish can easily move but can the bugs? Now I'm no entomologist but I have to believe that exposed river bed can never be a good thing. Its been my experience that the hatches are not what they used to be. I typically float the main stem and I'm talking below buckingham.Blame that on low water conditions over the years? Maybe. Just my two cents for what its worth. Thanks

Bugs and fish both will take a hit. Same for endangered dwarf wedge mussels, wood turtles and most everything reliant on the riparian corridor for most or all of their habitat needs. I hope someone blinks soon and more water becomes available because God knows there is plenty.

 

[mudbug201]

Looks like we're headed back to the Reagan era. No deal means they'll drain the river tomorrow. Good bye West Branch:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...y-balks-at-new-york-citys-delaware-river-plan

Amazing to me that if you look at the websites of all the major outfitters up there, it's like this isn't even happening. Rather than sound the alarm with their wealthy clients, many of whom live in NYC or NJ and could have been putting pressure on their elected officials over the past months, they've chosen to ignore it and hope for the best.

Instead they've now got the worst. This sucks for the guides and the local businesses: their season is over.

 

[mudbug201]

Looks like we're headed back to the Reagan era. No deal means they'll drain the river tomorrow. Good bye West Branch:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...y-balks-at-new-york-citys-delaware-river-plan

Amazing to me that if you look at the websites of all the major outfitters up there, it's like this isn't even happening. Rather than sound the alarm with their wealthy clients, many of whom live in NYC or NJ and could have been putting pressure on their elected officials over the past months, they've chosen to ignore it and hope for the best.

Instead they've now got the worst. This sucks for the guides and the local businesses: their season is over.

The clock is still ticking on the Upper Delaware, thanks to spilling reservoirs. But the system's days are numbered.

If you're a Jersey resident, take a minute today to give these guys a call:

NJ DEP Commisioner Bob Martin
[FONT=&quot]609-292-2885

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Dan Kennedy NJ DEP:
609-292-4543
[/FONT]
Chris Christie:
(609) 292-6000

 

[mayhem]

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/17-044pr.shtml#.WTCd0Ov3arU

 

[Future Fanatic]

The clock is still ticking on the Upper Delaware, thanks to spilling reservoirs. But the system's days are numbered.

A bit of hyperbole, huh?

Why not give us De Blasio's #... couldn't he save the system and the economy of the region? I mean, you've already given him a jingle, yes?

 

[mudbug201]

A bit of hyperbole, huh?

Why not give us De Blasio's #... couldn't he save the system and the economy of the region? I mean, you've already given him a jingle, yes?

As usual, I don't get the innuendo. But yeah, I called the NYC DEP people as well. NJ is clearly the one holding up a new agreement at this point, though, and this site's url is... ah forget it.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

The clock is still ticking on the Upper Delaware, thanks to spilling reservoirs. But the system's days are numbered.

Ah yes, everyone remember when Revision 1 was first implemented and 100% of the wild brown and rainbow trout were killed off as a direct result? I don't either.....

 

[mudbug201]

Ah yes, everyone remember when Revision 1 was first implemented and 100% of the wild brown and rainbow trout were killed off as a direct result? I don't either.....

Jeez. You guys are like the exaggeration police.

 

[mudbug201]

Jeez. You guys are like the exaggeration police.

In other news, I netted several football-shaped rainbows in the high teens this weekend up on said doomed river system, and at least one brown trout of roughly the same dimensions.

No exaggeration there. Just some strategic vagueness.

How'd you guys do?

(And please don't tell me you stayed home in your office chairs and clucked your tongues at blog posts while the green drakes were popping on the west branch... I don't think I could take the pathos.)

 

[MACFLY]

As usual, I don't get the innuendo. But yeah, I called the NYC DEP people as well. NJ is clearly the one holding up a new agreement at this point, though, and this site's url is... ah forget it.

Holding up a new agreement??? Which new agreement would this be?

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Jeez. You guys are like the exaggeration police.

You said the system's days are numbered and we're the exaggerators?

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Jeez. You guys are like the exaggeration police.

You said the system's days are numbered and we're the exaggerators?

How'd you guys do?

(And please don't tell me you stayed home in your office chairs and clucked your tongues at blog posts while the green drakes were popping on the west branch... I don't think I could take the pathos.)

Headed up on Thursday. Floating Friday and Saturday and wading Sunday if the rivers are wadeable by then. It's another river blowout this week with all the rains that keep coming our way. But I can't complain because we desperately needed it and more!

 

[mudbug201]

You said the system's days are numbered and we're the exaggerators?

Uh... the exaggeration police, as in, you were policing exaggeration? (Simms = fashion police, etc.)

Headed up on Thursday. Floating Friday and Saturday and wading Sunday if the rivers are wadeable by then. It's another river blowout this week with all the rains that keep coming our way. But I can't complain because we desperately needed it and more!

I like your attitude. Plenty of complainers up there already. I'm planning to be on the river as well next weekend. It's all about that rain in the forecast on Friday. If it's a steady half-inch I'm not worried, but if it's more thunderstorms, then we'll be chucking streamers through the chocolate milk all weekend.

Anyway, too much of a good thing is still a good thing. Last year at this time the trout had already moved out of most of the water I fish.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Uh... the exaggeration police, as in, you were policing exaggeration? (Simms = fashion police, etc.)




I like your attitude. Plenty of complainers up there already. I'm planning to be on the river as well next weekend. It's all about that rain in the forecast on Friday. If it's a steady half-inch I'm not worried, but if it's more thunderstorms, then we'll be chucking streamers through the chocolate milk all weekend.

Anyway, too much of a good thing is still a good thing. Last year at this time the trout had already moved out of most of the water I fish.

My wife made me turn the heat back on in the house last night. No complaints about cold, wet weather this year. But I could use 2,000 cfs less water up there by tomorrow if that's not too much to ask...

 

[mudbug201]

My wife made me turn the heat back on in the house last night. No complaints about cold, wet weather this year. But I could use 2,000 cfs less water up there by tomorrow if that's not too much to ask...

Well, you're a bit of a dry fly purist, right? So that makes sense. I'm more or less the same. Love throwing streamers at the banks early in the season, but at this point in the spring, lower flows are definitely more fun. A lot more water becomes dry fly water when you get down below 2000 cfs on either tailwater.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Well, you're a bit of a dry fly purist, right? So that makes sense. I'm more or less the same. Love throwing streamers at the banks early in the season, but at this point in the spring, lower flows are definitely more fun. A lot more water becomes dry fly water when you get down below 2000 cfs on either tailwater.

I'm a dry fly purist on the upper D. Most anywhere else like here in NJ, I do whatever is required to catch those dumb stockies. But I draw the line at flies like squirminators and mop flies. I just can't bring myself to tie or fish them. They work, but so do worms and corn.....

Rick Axt who still lurks here and used to post here just called from the Shehawkin ramp. The river is all the way up to the top and ripping, but is clearing. Visibility now at about 2' whereas yesterday it was Yoohoo chocolate. Hard to say how far it will drop and clear between now and Friday when I am floating with bracycentrus and another buddy of mine.

 

[dcabarle]

I'm a dry fly purist on the upper D. Most anywhere else like here in NJ, I do whatever is required to catch those dumb stockies. But I draw the line at flies like squirminators and mop flies. I just can't bring myself to tie or fish them. They work, but so do worms and corn.....

Rick Axt who still lurks here and used to post here just called from the Shehawkin ramp. The river is all the way up to the top and ripping, but is clearing. Visibility now at about 2' whereas yesterday it was Yoohoo chocolate. Hard to say how far it will drop and clear between now and Friday when I am floating with bracycentrus and another buddy of mine.

Rick is a super nice guy. He should start posting again, I think he'd have a lot to add.

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Rick is a super nice guy. He should start posting again, I think he'd have a lot to add.

Hear that Axt??? You're retired, you have nothing better to do than post on NEFF to keep us amused! See you Friday...

 

[oasis man]

Is it just me...or is the real WB river crisis the lack of any fishing reports on either the WB or the Mainstem this year. Thinking back 15 years, this site used to be about how things were going: ie the hatch situation, the onset of the dreaded green slime, the status of juvenile fish in the river, and how far up river the rainbows had progressed. The lack of such discussion makes me wonder..

 

[lightenup]

Is it just me...or is the real WB river crisis the lack of any fishing reports on either the WB or the Mainstem this year. Thinking back 15 years, this site used to be about how things were going: ie the hatch situation, the onset of the dreaded green slime, the status of juvenile fish in the river, and how far up river the rainbows had progressed. The lack of such discussion makes me wonder..

About the site or the river, don't worry about the site...no one looks at it...