Gov. Rendell this week said officials from New York, New Jersey, Delaware and the federal government have agreed to a plan that will better protect Delaware River basin communities from the threat of flooding.

Under the plan approved April 15, water releases from the three New York City reservoirs will continue through April even if the reservoirs go below 100 percent of capacity. The modified plan ensures that as much as 8 billion gallons of water will be kept out of the reservoirs.

“I’m pleased and encouraged that New York City and the other parties agreed to take this precautionary step to better protect our communities along the Delaware River,” said Gov. Rendell. “While we can’t scientifically quantify the benefits lowering these reservoirs will have, continuing to make releases beyond when the reservoirs are at full capacity, as they are now, is a commonsense approach that will provide an added measure of comfort to residents downstream.”

Earlier this month, with the reservoirs at capacity and spilling, Gov. Rendell called on officials from Delaware, New Jersey, New York and New York City to support a plan that would modify the water release guidelines to help accommodate the seasonal rainfall and protect against potential flooding on the main stem of the river.

The Governor added that this plan also ensures that drinking water supplies will not be threatened for New York City, Philadelphia and Bucks County.

“With continued normal rainfall, we think the reservoirs will be full on May 1 as we enter the period of increased use,” Gov. Rendell said. “To ensure we protect our drinking water supplies, we will re-evaluate the releases each week until the end of the month. Should we enter a period of below-normal rainfall, the releases can be stopped.”

Seasonal releases from the reservoirs are governed by a flexible flow management plan that was temporarily instituted last September by the parties to a 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree. According to the FFMP, releases continue in April only when the reservoirs are completely full to ensure adequate water supplies are available during the summer months.

The plan is one of the recommendations developed by the Delaware Flood Task Force formed by Gov. Rendell after three devastating floods hit the region from 2004 to 2006. The Delaware River Basin Commission is working to institute the flexible flow management plan through a formal rulemaking process.

To view the management plan, visit the Delaware River Basin Commission website.

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4/18/2008