Dark Hollow Dam - A Transparent Exercise

The Stink along the Neshaminy isn't limited to the sewage overflows -- it has clearly permeated the public process the Natural Resource Conservation Service claims it is conducting to decide whether or not the Neshaminy Creek should be dammed. The process is being manipulated to serve the conclusions and answer the NRCS seems to have already reached --that they are going to build the Dark Hollow Dam.

Even though the NRCS freely admits that it is many months behind in its "research" schedule they have done nothing to alter the public meeting and decision-making schedule. This means that the public will likely end up with less information and less time to review and comment the information they are given. It's almost too obvious to say that with a such a tight time schedule, NRCS will have less time to consider the public comments they receive.

Maybe that is the whole idea.

In addition, NRCS public meeting locations are being chosen to skew the public participation. While the November 19 public meeting is being held in the heart of Hulmeville -- the headquarters and stronghold of the few dam supporters -- the November 18 meeting is being held in Warrington, not Warwick, Buckingham or similar locations where the public will be directly impacted by a dam if it were built.

This goes beyond a white wash; it is more like a transparent exercise. Someone should tell NRCS that "see-through" fashions are no longer in vogue!

It doesn't stop there. The "research" for the Dark Hollow Dam also leaves much to be desired from the standpoint of public input. Repeatedly, dam supporters have been allowed to chime in and speak during technical team and steering committee meetings at times-- when the public wasn't allowed to participate. For NRCS, apparently only the comments of dam supporters have technical merit. They have only taken action to curb this participation when other members of the public pointed out the double standard in forcing some to remain silent while dam supporters are given free rein.

The information the NRCS has about implementation of the Dam alternative seems to far outweigh any information they should have about use of other alternatives.

Could this be because they aren't really interested in the many benefits the non-dam alternatives would provide? What about the benefits of the dam? Experts have already studied it and concluded that the Dark Hollow Dam alternative is an ineffective measure for reducing downstream flood damages.

The solutions we arrive at must actually solve the problem and need to help more than just those living along the main stem Neshaminy. Many of the folks suffering from flooding live along tributary streams -- and their plight is growing. We need a solution that also helps them. A dam can't and won't do that.

Please be sure to attend the November 18 and 19 public meetings (more info below) on this issue. The decision about whether or not the Dark Hollow Dam is built will be final by next July according to the present schedule. But the real decision will be made in the next 4 months, while NRCS is developing its list of alternatives and formulating their recommendation for the County Commissioners.

NRCS needs to understand what they will be up against if they try to recommend the dam alternative.

Please take the time to get involved -- come to the public meetings, submit written comment (address below), get your voice heard --we need you in order to win.

Public Meetings November 18 & 19 About the Proposed Dark Hollow Dam, and Other Solutions for Downstream Flooding

Wednesday, November 18, 7:30 pm,
Tamanend Middle School, Stuchert Road, Warrington

Thursday, November 19, 7:30 pm,
William Penn Fire Company, Main Street, Hulmeville

Submit written comments to:
Neshaminy Creek Watershed Plan Steering Committee
c/o Bucks County Conservation District
924 Town Center
New Britain, PA 18901-5182

<<<<END>>>>

return