Letter to Governor Rendell, Chair of Delaware River Basin Commission Re: Future Flooding Downstream

Letter

September 24, 2007

Governor Edward G. Rendell
Chair - Delaware River Basin Commission
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

Dear Governor Rendell:

The upcoming meeting of the Delaware River Basin Commission presents a tremendous opportunity to improve life for residents along the Delaware River. Having fallen victim to three floods in three years, riverside communities are anxiously awaiting the result of the September 26, 2007 meeting, during which the DRBC will consider changes to the Flexible Flow Management Plan.

With the safety of our constituents and their property in mind, we would like to once again urge the four governors and the City of New York to maintain sufficient room in New York's Delaware River reservoirs to protect against flooding downstream. While the reservoirs were not originally designed for flood mitigation, it is clear changes to reservoirs' operation could reduce flood damages downstream. We believe, as Robert Tudor, deputy executive director of the DRBC, once said "the reservoirs offer an opportunity to have incremental effect on lessening flood loss in the future." Because of the opportunity that this meeting presents, it is important that reasonable voids be maintained while we pursue longer term scientific assessments to determine permanent solutions.

This is not a new concern, but it is imperative that the DRBC commissioners act with urgency to form a consensus to address the concerns of riverside communities, rather than leave these residents to wait. Delaying a final resolution only heightens the anxiety and risk of tragedy of those along the Delaware.

It is obvious we must reassess current practices to prevent serious flooding. We would ask that the DRBC show, through this plan, that it is serious about flood mitigation and dramatically reduce the levels maintained in New York's reservoirs. We appreciate your consideration of this request and you can count on our continued support for all efforts to improve life along the Delaware River.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Murphy (PA-08)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Chris Smith (NJ-04)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Kristen E. Gillibrand (NY-20)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Scott Garrett (NJ-05)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Chaka Fattah (PA-02)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Maurice Hinchey (NY-22)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Michael A. Arcuri (NY-24)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Joe Sestak (PA-07)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Robert A. Brady (PA-01)
MEMBER OF CONGRESS

cc:
Cathleen Curran Myers
Lisa P. Jackson
John A. Hughes
Carol R. Collier
Alexander B. Grannis

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