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What Have Some of The Flood Victims Done to Try to Protect Themselves?
What Have Some of The Flood Victims Done to Try to Protect Themselves?
By Dave Ripka
To Whom It May Concern:
After a period of nearly 50 years with out any widespread main stream flooding the Delaware River has had three major floods. Sept.2004. The first was blamed on over building and heavy rains. April 2005, the second flood was blamed on snow run off and frozen ground.
Then we have a storm in Oct 2005 that dropped as much or more than any of the floods. This storm in particular dropped more inches of rain in the basin then any storm in 50 yrs., what was the out come. Nil No Floods. Why, the reservoirs were at or near 80% capacity. All the rain, building and ground cover that they blamed all the other floods on were still there. Better yet go on the web site and look at the short video find out the (facts way there are so many floods) on the home page www.drconline.org
Then another flood June 2006 the worst yet in flooding damage, not amount of rainfall.
Why then in the storm in Oct 2005 with the highest rainfall in 50 years, no floods?
What have some of the victims done to try to protect themselves against another man made flood?
1. Started a task force to look into the reasons for all the flooding that suddenly is happening. This group named itself The Delaware Riverside Conservancy Inc. (DRC)
2. The DRC went out and gathered over12.000 signatures on a partition to lower the reservoirs until it has been studied and a report written by an expert hydrologist that would be able to give the reasons why the flooding is now all of a sudden occurring.
3. The DRC found fly ash was let out by PPL. Sued PPL in N.J. state court. PPL agreed to pay a minimal fine. The DRC asked the Judge to allow them to be in the settlement discussions. PPL sent a Hugh amount of paperwork asking that DRC not be able to participate, The Judge ruled in our favor. This was David against Goliath. This case is still in litigation. And the PPL knows that DRC is not backing down.
4. The DRC went into each Township and with the Towns' cooperation started another task force that reports to the Townships or County Supervisors. Each Township has there own Representative working with other Representatives from other Townships. These Representatives then report to the County Commissioners.
5. After meeting with State Reps. and Congressmen and after reviewing the facts, they sent dozens of letters to Governor Rendell asking to lower the reservoirs. (Copy of letters can be provided.) The Governor and the Delaware River Basin Commission who reports to the Governor said they needed a written report from an expert before considering lower the reservoirs. We went out and hired an Engineering Professor who is also a licensed hydrologist from Lafayette Collage. Gave the report to Governor Rendell, still he refuses to act.
This is just a brief over view of what has been happening. These are working class people that have not just been flooded. But, have given of their time to save their homes some are 3rd generation living in these homes, There is also people as myself that volunteer their time and money helping to clean up even though we have not been flooded. We all are tired of being bullied, told lies about safety, read about the dams in the New York State Comptroller report 2005-N-7 included in this package.
Now they fear for their families lives.............9 people have died in these floods. How many more have to die before the media investigates?
If you would like to get more information or speak to me, send an e-mail or phone me.
Dave Ripka 215-219-4900 or e-mail Riverview@fsvmail.net
judythpiazza@newsblaze.com
Tags: Tags: Environment, delaware
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