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AN
EFFORT FOR COMMON GROUND
A
Proposed Angler/Conservation Organization Collaborative Agreement For The
Upper Delaware River
Literally for decades, individual anglers, various
fly fishing organizations, area businesses, conservation organizations and
interested citizens have all spoken with many individual voices in
expressing their concerns about the upper Delaware fishery. Yet, it seems
that despite the differing rhetoric, often there has been a common ground;
a common, if unrecognized, sharing of related concerns.
If that is so, then it would also seem that an agreed
to framework – based on common agreement on at least some of the common
issues - could be developed that would reduce the many individual voices
to a few (perhaps even ultimately to one) collective voice. Certainly a
single collective voice – on agreed to issues – would be far more
influential than numerous individual voices on all issues.
To accomplish a
common ground – a framework that would enable a more unified, and
accordingly, a more influential voice – it would seem necessary to first
set forth a draft, then to solicit input to that draft from a broad a
spectrum of interests, to consolidate that input, and then to put forth a
second draft incorporating that input.
The following is
that initial draft. We ask that you read and evaluate each of the
tentative points carefully and reply back to us as to (a) which of these
points should be included in a common agreement; (b) if so, what if any
modifications would you recommend? (c) are there any additional points
that should be included?
1- We agree to advocate for a constant release based
policy - that replaces the current complex and ineffective system of
banks, flow targets and temperature targets - from the Cannonsville,
Pepacton and Neversink Reservoirs.
2- We agree that any forthcoming release policy that
does not safeguard the needs for the established coldwater habitat in the
main stem is unacceptable. Thus, we oppose any policy that effectively
‘writes off’ the main stem fishery.
3. We agree that a scientific solution must continue
to be pursued to determine the available water in the system for the
fishery, NYC and other downriver municipal and commercial users. Within
these constraints, coldwater releases from Cannonsville should be at
levels sufficient to protect the wild trout fishery on the Delaware’s
upper main stem.
4- We agree that any scientific solution must include
Rondout Reservoir (49.6 billion gallons), must scientifically evaluate and
revise the current drought curves, and must change and improve the current
management system of release implementation.
5- We agree that neither short term (i.e. Revision
8), nor long term solutions, should rely upon computer models that are
acknowledged to be either sub-par or incomplete. In other words,
solutions must be based models that have been independently validated as
being complete, accurate and the best available for specific applications.
6- Using sound scientific information, we agree to
pursue and educate our legislatures with complete and accurate data.
7- Research conducted to date suggests a relatively
simple structure for a constant summertime release policy would suffice;
we agree, however, that releases may at times need to be reduced, in
accordance with reservoir levels, so that less water is released when less
water is available. Deductions of releases for the fishery should be
commensurate with New York City reductions and downstream user
restrictions.
8. We agree that non-summertime releases are also
important, and we recognize the necessity of formulating a sensible winter
release policy.
9- We agree that it is extremely important
that fall flow levels, commencing when Brown trout begin to spawn (late
September through October), be maintained through the winter so that the
redds are protected and, further, that these winter flow levels also be
sufficient to avoid anchor ice.
10-. We agree that the DRBC should take the
initiative to create a centralized - independently validated - and
publicly accessible electronic database for analysis of Delaware River
polices and practices.
11- We agree that any and all resolutions, policies,
agreements, etc., need to be legally binding, with appropriate – public -
enforcement and accountability measures.
12- We agree that West Branch/main stem silting
problems must be addressed by restoration work on Cold Spring Brook and
Butler Brook, and by avoiding draining Cannonsville below thirty percent
when the Pepacton and Neversink reservoirs are relatively full.
13- We agree that releases from the reservoirs should
be ramped (changed gradually) over an acceptable period of time, rather
than abrupt changes, which damage trout habitat and aquatic insects.
14- We agree that stocking of the East Branch should
be abandoned and the stream be allowed to become a wild trout fishery. |
