Lauren Cook, The conservation chair of the Kayak and Canoe Club of New York will be testifying on behalf of Esopus River paddlers, along with long time AW board member Peter Skinner, at a hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, April 12th. The hearing may decide the fate of recreational releases currently provided on the Esopus River, in New York State.
Lauren has offered to share comments from paddlers who are unable to attend. If you cannot attend the hearing yourself (Boiceville at the middle school on Tuesday night), but would like to have your perspective considered, please consider sending Lauren a brief statement for him to share with the Judge. Emails can be sent to esopus@planet-save.com.
As brief background, the paddling community wants to ensure that issuance (or denial) of a new SPDES water quality permit will not interfere with recreational and instructional releases on Esopus Creek. Brief emails stating how much you enjoy the river, and that you want releases to be specifically included in the terms of any SPDES permit should be enough to support the releases.