Group asks governor to reject FFMP

Gail Pedrick, Alyicia Scannapieco, of New Hope
    This is an urgent letter given to Lt. Gov. James Cawley to read and present to Gov. Tom Corbett on May 15:
   Dear Gov. Corbett:
   In this the 11th hour, we are writing this letter to you to ask you to personally intercede on the behalf of the Pennsylvanian Anti Flood Advocates with the Decree Party negotiations concerning the renewal of the Flexible Flow Management Plan for June 1, 2011.
   A finished plan is expected any day now.
   Pennsylvanian’s governor should not sign onto a plan that puts the lives and property of its citizens in danger from spilling New York City reservoirs and Delaware River flooding.
   Pennsylvania’s taxpayers do not want to again pay for the repair and replacement of roads, bridges, canals and public buildings. This was loudly expressed when we quickly collected 10,433 signatures, requesting 20 percent voids after the 100 percent full New York City reservoirs dumped billions of gallons into the Delaware resulting in the floods of ‘04, ‘05 and ‘06.
   The main reason New York City wants 100 percent full reservoirs is there is no need to filter the water in the Delaware system. By using the Delaware water, New York City avoids having to build a costly filtration plant when using another system.
   New York City did not divert any water from their 100 percent-plus-full reservoirs before the floods of ‘04, ‘05 and ‘06.
   The proposed one-year plan gives New York City the latitude to fill their Delaware River reservoirs to 100 percent from May 1 to July 1. New York City reservoirs should never be at 100 percent as they do not have the means of letting the water out quickly to allow for an approaching rain event. It takes weeks to lower the reservoirs and days to fill a 5 to 10 percent void.
   There are two main provisions that fail to protect Pennsylvanians. The first is that New York City will “try” to maintain a 5 to 10 percent void from July to April.
   Governor, there is no protection in the mandate of the word “try.”
   The second is the allowance of 100 percent full — and spilling — reservoirs from May 1 to July 1. The worst of the three floods in 21 months happened in June. Spring thaws, spring rains and hurricane season dictate 20 to 50 percent voids in the reservoirs for protection of Pennsylvanian interests.
   The paralogistic terms and conditions in the renewal FFMP allow the salt line to move north in the Delaware River, affecting Philadelphia’s water systems and harm to the rivers ecology and fisheries.
   In 2009, an analysis by the Delaware River Basin Commission found that a 20 percent void in the three New York City Delaware reservoirs would have reduced the floodwaters by up to 4.5 feet in Easton, Pa., and 1½ feet in Yardley, Pa., in the June 2006 flood.
   Add in the 10 billion gallons released by PPL’s Lake Wallenpaupack, and many people and businesses would not have flooded if these water impoundments had 20 percent plus void space.
   Since 2006, PPL has maintained void space and managed releases as a good neighbor, but New York City still refuses to accept responsibility and manage their reservoirs safely.
   Please vote against the FFMP. In default, the FFMP will revert to Revision One and a pathway to the Supreme Court. It is time for Pennsylvania to protect the lives, property and the interests of Pennsylvania citizens.
   Please meet with us to discuss possible ways forward to protect Pennsylvanian interests. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss these important issues, along with our President Elaine Reichart and other experts.