Here's the temporary thermal release program agreed to by the decree parties for the current Upper Delaware thermal stress situation:
Agreement of the Parties to the
1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree
Temporary Thermal Releases Program
For Habitat Protection
July 2016
High forecasted nighttime air temperatures in the upper Delaware River Basin during July 23-25, 2016 are expected to increase the water temperature in the main stem of the upper Delaware River downstream of the New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation jointly requested the unanimous approval of the Delaware River Decree Parties to implement a temporary program of release
augmentation on July 21, 2016 in response to the stress conditions these high water temperatures may cause to the cold-water fishery. These augmented releases will be made from Cannonsville Reservoir to partially mitigate the negative effects that may be caused by high water temperatures on the aquatic habitat of the main stem of the upper Delaware River.
On July 22, 2016, the Decree Parties unanimously agreed that during the period July 23- 25, 2016, augmented releases would be made from Cannonsville Reservoir as follows:
Release an additional 250 cubic feet per second from Cannonsville Reservoir starting at 4:00 PM EDT July 23 and continue the additional release through 4:00 PM EDT July 25,
2016. Begin ramping down at 4:00 PM EDT on July 25, 2016, according to established operational procedures, down to the release rate prescribed under the currently applicable FFMP-OST release table.
The weather forecast for the Delaware River Region includes a potential for thunderstorms which could produce precipitation in the Upper Delaware Basin and naturally increase streamflows. Because the increased runoff would both reduce the need for thermal mitigation and reduce the effectiveness of the increased cold water release, no augmented releases shall be made to cause the Lordville flow to be greater than 1800 cfs.
The Interim Excess Release Quantity shall provide the water required for this temporary releases program.
//signed by Dr. David R Wunsch// //signed by Daniel M. Kennedy//
_______________________________ _______________________________
State of Delaware Date State of New Jersey Date
//signed by Mark Klotz// //signed by Kelly Jean Heffner//
_______________________________ ________________________________
State of New York Date Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Date
//signed by Paul Rush//
_______________________________
City of New York Date ...
Agreement Reached on Thermal Relief for UDR!
Thanks to everybody who made phone calls and sent emails requesting additional water releases from the NYC Delaware River basin reservoirs to cool the Upper Delaware River over the weekend. We just heard that the Decree Parties have reached agreement on a thermal release and more details should be forthcoming shortly with regard to how much water, when the release will begin, and for what duration.
Your willingness to contact key decision makers on short notice and your passion for protecting this wonderful resource made a difference again!
Thank you! ...
You know the drill:
Call or email the Principle from your state and ask for an immediate release of reservoir water to keep things cool on the Upper Delaware River this weekend. There is water set aside for this purpose and now is the time to use it!
Paul Rush (NYCDEP): prush@dep.nyc.gov 845-334-7107
Mark Klotz (NYSDEC): mark.klotz@dec.ny.gov 518-402-8233
Kelly Heffner (PADEP): kheffner@pa.gov 717-783-2300
Dan Kennedy (NJDEP): dan.kennedy@dep.nj.gov 609-292-4543
David Wunsch (DE Principal): dwunsch@udel.edu 302-831-8258
For the river,
Jeff Skelding, Executive Director
skelding@fudr.org
Become an FUDR member, renew your membership, or make a donation, go to fudr.org ...
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Friends of the Upper Delaware River
From dawn to dusk, the Upper Delaware is a special place. Your membership in Friends of the Upper Delaware River can help keep it special. Please join today at fudr.org ...
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