The Delaware River Basin Commission has worked for over 40 years to protect the Delaware River by opposing the Tocks Island dam project and drafting legislation to protect the river through the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Now, the Commission is preparing to allow controversial natural gas development in the watershed before having conducted an environmental impact analysis.
The Delaware River serves 15 million people with clean and plentiful drinking water and accounts for $21 billion a year in ecosystem services. A truly cherished resource for people from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and even farther afield, the Delaware sees nearly 4 million visitors a year, more than Yellowstone or Yosemite National Parks. The River itself is a state and federally recognized water trail complimented by the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and featuring a multi-use canal path and numerous historic and scenic sites.
Opening up the Delaware River watershed to natural gas development before a comprehensive environmental impact analysis has been completed places a valuable natural asset at risk. Join us and other concerned citizens to help protect the Delaware.
Take Action: On November 21, please attend a rally outside of the Delaware River Basin Commission’s meeting in Trenton, NJ, urging the Commission not to open the watershed to natural gas development until an environmental impact analysis has been completed. The rally will take place from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. at the Trenton War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ.
While the Delaware River Basin Commission is no longer accepting formal comments on the regulations, a strong show of solidarity from the public will send a clear message that the Delaware River is a valued place and that energy development should only be considered after a formal environmental assessment has been completed.
Learn more about AMC’s work on natural gas development >>Labels: CAN, conservation, Mid-Atlantic Highlands, natural gas development