Many anglers oppose Delaware flow accord

[ddawatson]

Many anglers oppose Delaware flow accord

Outdoors: Many anglers oppose Delaware flow accord

Dave Henderson
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It was pointed out in this space early last month that not everyone was happy with the long-awaited accord between New York City and the Delaware River basin on flow levels.

I noted at the time that local trout anglers and environmentalists were ecstatic with the agreement, which seemingly ended 30 years of pleas and arguments over releases from the Catskill reservoirs and the subsequent flow of the various branches of the Delaware River. Turns out not all anglers were "ecstatic."

It was also pointed out that downstream river residents were not happy with the agreement, or about being apparently left out of the decision making process.

Flows are supposedly being regulated now under the proposed guidelines, with ratification -- probably with great modification -- expected in May.

In the wake of the column, I've heard from dozens of anglers, many from Pennsylvania, who said that I didn't accurately represent all anglers' opinions on the subject. Many see the accord as definitely inadequate.

One of the most articulate is Lee Hartman, who is a district Trout Unlimited representative from Pennsylvania and inveterate Delaware angler.

"The river is at level 2 for 90 percent of the summer," Hartman noted. "And 360 cfs (release rate for level 2) is not sufficient to maintain the lower West Branch or the Main Stem (of the Delaware)."

Environmentalists say that by making regular releases the city will be restoring some of the Delaware's natural rhythms and flows. But Hartman and the other anglers who complained to me were adamant that the "natural" flow rates allocated by the agreement -- releasing up to a total of 35 million gallons a day from three of its largest reservoirs into the Delaware -- were not enough to protect the river's trout in hot weather.

And the anglers all vowed that they will be heard before the agreement is ratified next spring. You can bet that they will be.

 

[Future Fanatic]

Anyone want to bet that all of the angler's that called him belonged to one certain organization? I wonder if the person quoted in the article disclosed that he was the Vice President. I find it VERY strange that the author would not include THAT in his story. It described him THIS way

"One of the most articulate is Lee Hartman, who is a district Trout Unlimited representative from Pennsylvania and inveterate Delaware angler."

Too bad that the headline was worded the way it was. My suggestion:

"A couple of dozen anglers oppose flow accord that
Trout Unlimited National 141,000 members
PA State Council Trout Unlimited
NY State Council Trout Unlimited
NJ State Council Trout Unlimited
The Nature Conservancy - Eastern NY Chapter
Theodore Gordon Flyfishers 300+ members
The Delaware River Foundation
Catskill Center for Conservation and Development and
Stripers Forever stand behind"

It's a little wordy, but I think better represents reality. I'll talk to Dave.

 

[Mayfly]

For the upteenth time:

It doesn't matter what the agreement(s) is at any given time, there'll be people or groups that will 'bi*ch, bi*tch, bi*ch', whine, whine, whine about it. Nothing can be more true about the reactions of the many groups: meaning fishers, land-owners, retailers, accommodation owners, etc. then to paraphrase the often used phrase, "You can satisfy some of the people some of the time. Some of the people all of the time. But not all of the people all of the time".

Not because of but in spite of all the natural disasters plus the manmade influences over the last several years, the trout, insects and habitat have survived and maybe even thrived. They'll probably continue to do that while 'xspurts' say they can't, shouldn't or the sky is falling.

Allan