Wild & Scenic Lower Delaware River

Meeting called to order by the Pennsylvania Chair, Nancy Janyszeski

In attendance: New Jersey Co Chair: Carol Hoffmann, PA Vice-Chair: Mick Drustrup, Churck Barscz of the National Park Service (NPS) and members of the Management Committee.

Tracy Carluccio from the Delaware River Keeper gave a presentation “What is the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and what does Natural Gas Drilling have to do with the Delaware River Watershed?

General discussion on the presentation.

C.Barscz – NPS Upper Delaware Council are in the process of sending a letter to the Secretary of the Interior, there is law behind Wild and Scenic. Requesting the secretary of interior take a look at this issue, how does Wild and Scenic Law Protect the river in the event of drilling. What are the issues surrounding the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Suggest W&S co-sponsor this request.

 

Nominations for New Jersey Vice Chair, Carol Hoffmann. Margaret Waldock and Barbara Daniello the nominating committee. The only nominee, Chris Testa . Motion made by Barbara Daniello seconded by Mick Drustrup, approved by vote of management committee.

 

New Jersey Report_ Carol Hoffmann on the Milford Mill, has been proposed for the Super Fund Site, no decisions until September 2009. The EPA came to the borough council meeting for form a citizens actions group.

 

C.Barscz, NPS report – now managing 9 rivers. The grants that went out were small in the $3,000 and $5,000 range and only about 50% were completed. Split between municipalities and non-profits. Not a good result. The oversite responsibility being pulled away from the DRGP and the Wild and Scenic committee. The funding will continue. The NPS will provide administration and oversite. Only looking at 4 or 5 grants a year.

 

Discussion on the Solebury Grant. They had requested a matching grant and they had not received their grant and the project has been cancelled. Solebury off the books they can submit next year.

 

DRBC data collection discussion – include more than the main stem.

 

Discussion Baseline water testing grant application. N. Janyszeski

 

Question and discussion regarding the smaller grants. What is the process, do we have guidelines. This will be discussed over the next several weeks.

 

Discussion of working agreement with DRGP, possible extension until December 31, 2009. The administrative work will be completed by the NPS. The Wild and Scenic will be an advisory committee.

 

Discussion – questionnaire– speakers and topic input

 

Sojourn – June 21

 

Motion to Adjourn