Carbon County recreational businesses are preparing for a fight over the future of the water in the Lehigh River.

On Thursday, Jerry McAward of Jim Thorpe River Adventures approached the Carbon County Commissioners to ask for the board’s support for the upcoming Francis E. Walter Dam Reservoir Reevaluation Study. A meeting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and partners Delaware River Basin Commission and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Jan. 9 at Mountain Laurel Resort in White Haven.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website, “The study will define problems, needs, and opportunities associated with project operation and evaluate the feasibility of various alternatives to optimize project operation and consider changes in past, current and future conditions.

“The study will focus primarily on flood risk management, with consideration to environmental, water supply, water quality and recreation to identify possible improvements to the existing structure, infrastructure and operations that will support the current and future demands within the region.”

McAward said that the $3 million study is being half-funded by the Army Corps, while New York City is funding $1.475 million and the DRBC is putting in $25,000.

What concerns McAward the most is New York City’s involvement because essentially they could request designating a portion of the water in the Francis E. Walter Dam be used for New York rather than Pennsylvania.

“New York City is not going to just throw $1.475 million around without an objective,” he said. “Our concern is New York City could potentially have some control over the water that is released from the dam … which would affect the recreation economy that is generated here.”

McAward explained that NYC has three reservoirs already that feed the Delaware and the city’s water supply, but positioning themselves in the Francis E. Walter Dam would allow them to better utilize the other reservoirs for the water supply while taking water from Pennsylvania to meet the supply to create recreation in the upper Delaware River near Philadelphia and Trenton that is required.

Long-term effects

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said his concern about all of this is not only the loss of revenue for the businesses in Carbon County, which heavily depend on the Lehigh River, but also the long-term effects such a move would have on the region and water supply that Pennsylvania depends on.

“I think Pennsylvania needs to stand up and see how this will affect us not only today, but long-term also,” he said.

Commissioner William O’Gurek, who will end his term as commissioner on Jan. 5, implored the incoming board to take a serious look at outside requests for Carbon County’s natural resources.

“We’re not Santa Claus here,” O’Gurek said. “We’re not going to be giving what we have here and have developed here to the cities.

“I think it’s time we take the position that we’re not here to serve the needs of the Philadelphias and New Yorks when our resources are at risk.”

Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard, in his last meeting as commissioner, agreed with his colleagues.

“For years and years, Pennsylvania has been a dumping ground for other states by bringing regulated fill in,” he said. “Now they want our water. Without clean air and without clean water, none of us survive, so it has a major impact not only on the businesses in Carbon County, but on Pennsylvania itself.”

Sierra Fogal of Pocono Whitewater in Jim Thorpe, and Stephen Bretzik of Whitewater Rafting Adventures in Nesquehoning, also voiced their concerns to the board.

“We’re not against a study in general,” Fogal said, “but we just want to see our water being used in the best possible way for Pennsylvania. New York City has an issue with their infrastructure. They lose 20% of their treated water due to infrastructure issues, so instead of fixing their infrastructure issues, they’re looking at Pennsylvania’s water, and we think that is the wrong path to take.”

“It’s very concerning, and we don’t know how far into this fight we will have to get,” Bretzik added. “Awareness and attendance at this meeting and getting as many questions answered as possible and showing a united front that this is something that no one wants as a county, region and state is important.”

Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp., pointed out that this study may not only affect the recreation that Carbon County has built over the years, but may affect any manufacturing opportunity if a business needs clean water to operate the manufacturing process.

“It’s all across the board for businesses that are going to be affected,” she said.

The commissioners plan to adopt a resolution supporting the group’s efforts on the Dec. 26 meeting agenda.

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 prior to the Jan. 9 meeting, as well as after the meeting.

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