Petition protests plan to use Lehigh water for NYC

The group Friends of the Lehigh River is circulating an online petition regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Francis E. Walter Dam Reservoir Reevaluation Study, hoping to keep the waters utilized by counties along the Lehigh River under Pennsylvania’s control.

The petition states that at the upcoming Army Corps of Engineers meeting at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 at Mountain Laurel Resort in White Haven, an announcement will be made about “New York City’s intention to initiate a study that will determine if they — NYC — can assume controlling interest and authority in the release of water from the Francis E. Walter Dam.”

The group asks residents to sign the petition to “let the Army Corps know that any revisions to the flow management plan must continue to prioritize the needs of the people in the immediate region of the Lehigh River.

“The people of Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton counties and surrounding areas want assurance that any changes to the plan will not negatively impact their quality of life, local economy, and constitutional rights,” it states.

The issue about the study arose just before Christmas when representatives from area whitewater rafting companies approached the commissioners to ask them for their help in this fight over the future of the water in the Lehigh River.

Jerry McAward of Jim Thorpe River Adventures voiced concerns he has, including New York City’s involvement because they could essentially request designating a portion of the water in the Francis E. Walter Dam be used for New York rather than Pennsylvania.

Last week, the outgoing board of commissioners approved a resolution supporting the rafting companies’ concerns.

The resolution stated that the existing flow management for whitewater recreation and fishing opportunities should be maintained or improved at the dam and not sacrificed for other uses, such as reserving as much as 15% of the water in the reservoir for New York City. That resolution was forwarded to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for inclusion with the comments.

The same resolution is expected to be passed Monday after the new board of commissioners take office as well.

A public commenting period on feedback and study recommendations for the scope of the feasibility study is now open and may be submitted via email to PDPA-NAP@usace.army.mil or in writing to USACE Philadelphia District, Planning Division, 100 Penn Square E., Philadelphia, PA 19107. Comments can be submitted before the Jan. 9 meeting, as well as after the meeting.

For more information on the reevaluation study, visit https://bit.ly/36TeCrL.

For more information on those impacted by the potential study, follow the Friends of the Lehigh River on Facebook.

To sign the petition, visit https://tinyurl.com/qoh4yv7.