Your Award-Winning News Source for the Upper Delaware River Valley Region Since 1975
Vol. 42 No. 42
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OCTOBER 20 - 26, 2016
www.riverreporter.com
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Solar complications for the river Are solar arrays power plants? By DAVID HULSE
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ARROWSBURG, NY — After a second debate on October 6, the National Park Service (NPS) was asked for a legal position about the authority behind an Upper Delaware Council (UDC) position paper/memorandum querying members about solar power development in the river valley. Members said the impact of the position paper might require a revision of the river management plan (RMP). The memorandum went out in September to elected leaders in member towns, stating the UDC staff and NPS position that larger, usually commercial, solar panel arrays are “power plants” according to definitions in the land-use guidelines of the RMP, and that the plan defines power plants as non-conforming uses within river boundary. The towns and townships were asked to reply with their positions within 90 days. Several UDC members last month argued against the memorandum, saying solar posed no harm to the valley and that the position overruled state-mandated land-use authority delegated to the local governments. At the council’s recent meeting, Town of Delaware delegate Harold Roeder reported that his investigation found several other national park units that had installed solar arrays for NPS use. These included the Natural Bridge National Monument, the Manassas National Battlefield and the former Alcatraz Prison, which NPS now manages. “It’s rather embarrassing that NPS can [install an array] and a person here can’t,” Roeder said. Whether those arrays are commercial or just for official park use, Roeder said “there is profit in many forms… if the NPS can, it’s thin ice for [local governments] to oppose it.” Whether arrays should be positioned near scenic areas in the river corridor and what the findings of planning review will be are the questions. “No one has said that you can’t install an array,” NPS Superintendent Kris Heister said. “Let’s wait 90 days and see what happens,” Chairman Fred Peckham of Hancock suggested, but he went on to ask what the authority of memorandum was. “Is the position paper part of the plan?” he asked. “If it impacts the river, it has to be in the plan,” he added. Continued on page 3
HOW ‘BOUT THEM APPLES
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TRR photo by Fritz Mayer
The leaves turn above Lake Florence in the Town of Bethel.
Autumn drifts by
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EGION — As the chlorophyll in green leaves breaks down letting reds, yellows and oranges shine through, the autumn show begins. This information from Environmental Learning Resources from SUNY: “As the fall colors appear, other changes are taking place. At the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree, a special layer of cells develops and gradually severs the tissues that support the leaf. At the same time, the tree seals the cut, so that when the leaf is finally blown off by the
wind or falls from its own weight, it leaves behind a leaf scar. “Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of fall color. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation, producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the brilliant red color. Rainy and/or overcast days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors.”
SPANNING 2 STATES, 4 COUNTIES, AND A RIVER THAT UNITES US
BEARS EDGE BULLDOGS
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