In the groove

I have been to Harrisburg and back today. I have talked with Pennsylvania legislators about an Upper Delaware Greenway. About how there no one and no agency that is going to facilitate communication across borders, except someone with absolutely no authority to do so.

In this particular case, it’s me, as part of my fieldwork study, and Sue Currier, Executive Director of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, who are on a mission to preserve open space and promote community and a quality of life that we enjoy here.

And isn’t that always the way? On really important issues, there’s really no one signed up, except those who feel compelled by their volition.

A little background might be helpful.

New York State has passed a “Greenway” initiative through its Senate. It’s scheduled to be voted on in the House on December 13. The new bill, which establishing a counci and asks that a plan is to be written, was hammered out by the governor’s staff and the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Environmental Conservation and there no doubt in my mind that the governor will sign the bill into law.

An Upper Delaware Greenway of the NY side will be established, if six out of the eight towns indicate that they want it to be so. The point of the bill is to increase economic opportunities in the Upper Delaware River Valley, access to the river and protect and conserve the environment.

Getting six out of eight towns to sign on might be questionable, since controversy about initiatives breathe with intensity in the Upper Delaware. There is always the paranoid fear that this statewide funding mechanism will become the evil empire to take over our land. It is not the case, but neither is it the case that this funding mechanism and this perhaps soon-to–be-organization will accomplish what it needs to: preserve, conserve and enhance the Upper Delaware River Valley.

Still, the Niagara Greenway received $400,000 from the NY Parks and Rec department, and I cannot help but wonder whether that might be our figure as well. In Niagara, they have spent $338,000 on planning, which is something that is not necessary in the Upper Delaware. Between the River Management Plan and the NY Route 97 Scenic Byway plan, there is plenty of planning that has already happened.

No, what is needed is volition. Volition to be proactive and get something done. We need to find a cross border project and we need to focus our attention on what we want this valley to be. Too much of the Upper Delaware history and present moment is spent on making sure that no town, and no local rights are infringed on.

But, as Rep. Margarette Quinn, a Bucks County representative, informed us, developers are not doing well in her area, and they are heading north.

This situation is just like so many other situations: will we sit back and allow inefficient government and government workers, town representatives and Joe Blow on the street to continue to tell us that nothing can be done and that lethargy is better than sticking your neck out?

To that, I say no. I say that it’s better lose your head over something that means something to you, then simply to let it wither in the drying breeze.

Now’s the time to stand up and do something.

Even if we are self-appointed.

And I ask: What is going on in your community that you can breathe a breath of encouragement or inspiration into? What needs to be championed?

For me, it’s the Upper Delaware River Valley. And today, whether I accomplished anything or not, I have been to Harrisburg, and I have announced my intention that there will be a concerted effort for groups to communicate about the Upper Delaware Valley, and I will give my time to help with that communication.

I am hopeful that someone, specifically the PA legislators that we spoke with , will feel inspired to join into the reality and we can will accomplish positive.

If not, no one will say we didn't try.