NRCS Refuses to Release Studies Before Decision Made

We have all been repeatedly promised that the public would be included in the decision making process over whether to build Dark Hollow Dam or implement a more effective alternative. We have been promised public meetings where the Technical Team would share their findings before a final recommendation is made. What we have been given is false promises!

It is time to demand that the Natural Resources Conservation Service open their secret doors and lets us in.

In November two public meetings were held. The public was told that at these meetings the Technical Team was going "to present data and information about current conditions in the Neshaminy Creek watershed that will affect decisions on alternatives selected to reduce flood damage in the Lower Neshaminy." In reality, the information presented was woefully inadequate. Often we were told what the Technical Team members were going to be doing, not what had been done. Responses to questions and concerns were often responded with phrases like "we don't have that information". If they didn't have any information to share then why not wait to hold the public meetings?

Today, requests for another round of public meetings or at least the release of Technical Team studies before a final recommendation is identified and institutionalized on paper are being cast aside. How can the public participate and give meaningful comment on the NRCS' studies and findings (the kind of input they keep asking for) if we aren't allowed to see them?

In an effort to get information, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network has filed Freedom of Information Act requests with the various agencies involved: Bucks County Planning Commission, Bucks County Conservation District, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources and the NRCS. The response from NRCS has been to put forth legal arguments so they can withhold some of the documents from our scrutiny. And they are denying us the waiver of fees entitled to non-profits reviewing documents for the public interest because they claim that the population of the Neshaminy Watershed is too small to be considered this legislative protection. What are they hiding?

The Steering Committee appointed by the Bucks County Commissioners to participate in NRCS decision making will not even see the Technical Team's studies before the NRCS makes its decision.

NRCS began this project in a back room of the Planning Commission Library -- It might as well still be there.

It is time for the Citizens of this watershed to demand the right to see NRCS' findings before a recommendation is made. Once NRCS has made their determination and institutionalized it on paper there is little chance of changing their minds.

We were promised an open process -- now it's time to demand that promise be honored.

Write the County Commissioners and ask them to support the public process by demanding another round of public meetings where the NRCS will share their studies and findings before they make their alternatives report.

For more information and to get involved contact Delaware Riverkeeper Network, P.O. Box 326, Washington Crossing, PA 18977. (215) 369-1188. Drn@delawareriverkeeper.org Storm Water Best Management Practices What Are They?

One of the alternatives being considered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to reduce flood damage in the Neshaminy Watershed is Stormwater Best Management Practices or BMPs. February 2nd and 23rd, Riverkeeper is holding two more programs which can answer the questions -- what are storm water best management practices and why do they work.

The slide show and talks are being given by well- recognized and oft-cited expert in the field Tom Cahill, P.E., President of Cahill and Associates. The first program in this series, held on January 27 in Levittown, was well-attended and filled with lively discussion about why using best management practices is such an effective approach for reducing downstream flooding while at the same time addressing drought and water quality issues.

In a nutshell, stormwater best management practices focus on capturing and recharging rainfall back into the ground and the aquifers below -- just as nature has done since the beginning of time. Flooding problems are exacerbated by poorly controlled stormwater runoff. The goal of BMPs is to minimize the amount of runoff by encouraging the water to soak back into the ground.

Right now the Federal and County government are willing to invest millions of dollars in the Neshaminy Watershed. The question is - what is the most effective way to invest that money? The national experience and expert studies support our belief t hat the most effective and cost efficient solution lies with infiltrating stormwater into the ground -- Stormwater BMPs for both new and existing runoff.

Tom Cahill is a knowledgeable and captivating speaker and his slides speak volumes. We hope you will all join us at the upcoming sessions.

Date: February 2, 1998 Time: 7:00 to 10:00 pm Place: Pennswood Village, 1382 Langhorne-Newtown Rd (Rt. 413 approx 1 mi. south of Newtown, adjacent to George School), Newtown, PA

Date: February 23, 1998 Time: 7:00 to 10:00 pm Place: Warwick Twp. Bldg, 1733 Township Greene, Jamison, PA

Donation: A donation is requested but not required ($5 suggested) to help defray the costs of the evening. You may mail your contribution or drop it in the donation box that evening.

For More Information call: Delaware Riverkeeper Network at (215) 369-1188

You can still share your thoughts and knowledge with the Steering Committee -- Neshaminy Creek Watershed Steering Committee c/o Bucks Conservation District, 924 Town Center, New Britian, PA, 18901--AND copy the Bucks County Commissioners, County Administration Building, 55 East Court Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.

Neshaminy Preservation Coalition c/o Delaware Riverkeeper Network P.O. Box 326 Washington Crossing, PA 18977

Join Us: Stormwater BMP Slide Show Feb 2 and Feb 23.

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