Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Roundtable focuses on climate change in Pike and Wayne County and the Upper Delaware Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: roundtable@upperdelaware.com
Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Roundtable focuses on climate change

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Roundtable meeting on October 3, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Tusten Town Hall on Bridge Street, will focus on the impact of climate change on the Upper Delaware region. The centerpiece will be a presentation by Susan Beecher of the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, project leader for a study called "Adapting to a Changing Climate - Risks & Opportunities for the Upper Delaware Region.” The study, which is still ongoing, is a collaboration between the Common Waters Partnership, the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, and the Model Forest Policy Program Climate Solutions University. It aims to detail the probable impacts of climate change on local resources and communities in our region, and to develop strategies that can be used to adapt to them.
There will also be a presentation on the NACL Theatre’s year-long Weather Project, a community arts and science project designed to bring residents, artists, and scientists together around the subject of the weather and climate science; and an update on the Sullivan County Climate Action Plan.
Heather Jacksy of the Sullivan County Planning Department will also give a presentation on the latest developments in the Sullivan County Waterfront Revitalization Program.
As always at Roundtable meetings, there will be ample opportunity for participants to join in the conversation with questions and ideas, and to develop action plans related to the presentations, and a lunch. RSVP to roundtable@upperdelaware.com.
The Roundtable is a bi-monthly networking opportunity of regional stakeholders to enhance the future of the Upper Delaware River Valley through collaboration and communication.

My Thoughts

I think that discussions like this are critical, but we have to make sure that we consider the following:
1. The forested lands in these ares are owned for the most part by private citizens.
2. These lands support local, regional, and national businesses that create jobs that help to maintain the rural character of the region and local govt and municipalities.
3. The area can benefit from carbon and nutrient credits, but rural landowners must be permitted to manage their businesses without stringent environmental regulations and policies that may be designed to benefit the unsustainable downgradient users or tourists.
4. If the rural landowner is going to help to sustain our "unsustainable" urban centers - then the urban centers need to provide financial support for our rural areas,  a portion of the tourism revenue should support are rural landowners, and a potion of any consumptive water fees should be reinvested in these rural areas to protect private wells and the groundwater quality for the region.

Just my thoughts

Brian Oram, PG




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