The Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee will hold a hearing on the Francis E. Walter Dam Reevaluation Study Thursday, and local officials want their voices heard.

On Monday, the county commissioners said that, while they were first invited to give oral testimony at the hearing, only their written testimony is now being accepted.

Commissioner Rocky Ahner said that it is “very hard to believe that the three highest local elected officials are not allowed to talk about a water source within (their) own county.”

Each commissioner submitted written testimony, which, according to the state, will be distributed to the policy committee to be read.

Negative impact

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein, in his testimony, spoke about the negative impact taking 15% of the water capacity at the dam would cause to areas downstream that depend on the Lehigh River for recreational purposes.

“Francis E. Walter Dam and the Lehigh River attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Lehigh River Gorge,” he wrote. “… This attraction has enabled countless businesses to thrive and prosper. …”

Nothstein cited the main industry in the area is tourism and these businesses depend on the water from the dam. He also noted that New Yorkers are now purchasing homes in Carbon County and this growth creates a concern that if the water supply isn’t there, how will the county be able to meet the increased demand.

“Water from the Lehigh River is already a backup source of supply to some municipal water systems here in the county during drought conditions,” he said. “If New York City starts removing their 15% of this water from Francis E. Walter Dam during a drought, there will be nothing left downstream. Reserving 15% of the water at Francis E. Walter Dam for a New York City drought is not the answer for the residents of Pennsylvania. It is a financial, economic and environmental disaster waiting to happen for the residents of Carbon and many other counties.”

Drought worries

Ahner also voiced his opposition to the proposed water supply being reserved for New York.

“Pennsylvania has been very diligent in managing the Delaware Water Basin,” he wrote. “The waterways and its tributaries are the strength of economic development, recreation and a solid source of drinking water not only in Carbon but our surrounding counties also.”

Ahner pointed out that during drought conditions, the Lehigh River is so low in spots like in the Lehigh Gap in Palmerton that people can almost walk across it.

“If 15% of the water is taken, we just might be able to walk across the Lehigh and what adverse consequences will it have on all the hard work and projects put into protecting and improving our area,” Ahner wrote. “… My question is when are others going to take responsibility for their existence instead of looking to encroach on Pennsylvania assets.”

Sustainability

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich, in his written testimony, looked at the sustainability of the county due to the dam and water and how sending it to New York would be a “detriment of both physical and economic well-being.”

“The Carbon County Comprehensive and Greenway Plans are our road maps for the protection and optimal use of this county’s natural resources. The Lehigh River, onetime known as the West Branch of the Delaware River, stands second-to-none as a catalyst and foundational element in the quality of life of residents and the resurgent economic vitality of Carbon County,” Lukasevich wrote. “The Comprehensive and Greenway plans mention the Lehigh River a staggering 132 times, more so than any other natural or man-made characteristic of our county. Additionally, the 2018 Carbon County Return of Environment study emphasizes the river’s contribution in generating ‘… over $800 million annually in avoided costs …’

“The water and banks of the Lehigh served as critical components for the building of a canal that, even prior to the founding of Carbon County in 1843, would serve as that time period’s super highway for the movement of anthracite coal that fueled the Industrial Revolution in America. However, this also led to the river’s degradation and description as ‘black flowing lava.’ It would not be until the time period of the Clean Water Act Amendments of 1972 that the value of the Lehigh’s water would be reassessed as not simply an essential of life, but an essential lifeline to an anthracite-centric community that was on the precipice of total collapse.

“Over ensuing decades, the revived Lehigh and the water controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from Francis E. Walter Dam has served as a significant driver for our county’s economic revitalization spurred by the activities that the Lehigh enables. We must protect the investment made and the natural asset, water, that sustains both our lives and our economy.”

The purpose of the virtual hearing, which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is to discuss issues related to the ongoing reevaluation study of the Francis E. Walter Dam and Reservoir by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The corps began the feasibility reevaluation study last year to examine whether potential improvements to infrastructure or operational methods could allow water in the reservoir to be used for other purposes to support the ecological health of the Delaware River Basin. In particular, officials will consider management options that could release additional water under drought conditions to help reduce salinity downstream.

Members of the public can view the proceedings live at www.pahousegop.com/livestreams and at www.repheffley.com/livestreams.