Urges parties to 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree to address ongoing risk of Delaware River Basin flooding.
Impact
The resolution posits that New York City's management of its reservoir levels directly impacts the occurrence of flooding in New Jersey. Specifically, when capacity is maximized, there is a failure to control flood levels downstream, resulting in extensive damage to public infrastructure and disruption of local communities. ACR51 urges governors from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware to petition the Supreme Court for amendments to require New York City to maintain adequate reservoir voids year-round, thereby potentially preventing future flooding events and minimizing the detrimental effects on downstream communities.
Summary
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 51 (ACR51) seeks to address the ongoing flood risks associated with the Delaware River Basin, emphasizing the urgency for action among various parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree. This resolution draws attention to the risk posed to an estimated two million New Jersey residents who rely on the Delaware River for various necessities including drinking water, agriculture, and recreation. Historically, significant flooding has endangered lives and property in areas immediately downstream from the New York City reservoirs, particularly when these reservoirs reach near capacity during critical weather patterns.
Contention
A point of contention in this resolution circles around the balance between water supply management and flood control. Several local New Jersey counties have expressed the importance of establishing year-round voids in the New York City reservoirs, suggesting that maintaining these voids at a 10 percent level would significantly reduce the extent of flooding. However, any amendments to the existing Supreme Court decree affecting reservoir operations could provoke discussions regarding jurisdictional authority and resource allocation among the states involved.
Long-term Vision
Overall, ACR51 is a call to action which underscores the critical need for collaboration among states and adherence to scientific recommendations aimed at minimizing flooding risks in the Delaware River Basin. If accepted, it could lead to a significant shift in how water resources are managed and shared, with a focus on public safety and environmental stewardship.
Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.
Requires DEP and owners of certain reservoirs to implement certain flood control measures; authorizes Office of Emergency Management to order lowering of reservoirs levels in response to severe weather events.