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Upper Delaware News |
Massive Powerline Threatens Wild & Scenic River
Washington— The Wild and Scenic Upper Delaware River is the economic engine that drives a strong tourism-based economy in upstate New York, but that engine is threatened by a huge, proposed powerline that would slash through 73 miles of the river corridor. Leaders from across the region have united in opposition to the plan, which would mean massive clearcutting, ongoing herbicide use and seizing property from landowners by eminent domain. It’s no wonder that the Upper Delaware is one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2007.
“There’s nothing wild or scenic about a massive powerline running alongside one of the Northeast’s best-loved rivers,” says Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers. “The Upper Delaware is one of the nation’s best examples of a river and local communities thriving side by side, but this scheme would bring that to a screeching halt.”
The New York Regional Interconnection (NYRI) company is proposing an electric transmission corridor in the Upper Delaware River Valley. The proposed 1,200 megawatt high-voltage power line would begin in New York near Utica and extend 190 miles to Rock Tavern in Orange County, following the Upper Delaware River for 73 miles. The transmission corridor would require clear- cutting all trees and vegetation and regular spraying of herbicides within a 100- foot wide swath along the river.
Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NewYork) has introduced legislation that would block the NYRI powerline from moving forward.
Click here to read the Press Release (PDF)
Click here to visit www.AmericanRivers.org
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