January 2024
This is the first of what I hope will be quarterly newsletters to keep you informed of our progress in the fight to save the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area from the national park designation. Not everyone follows our daily postings on Facebook. We will keep you informed of presentations, meetings ...anything going on in our battle to save DEWA. You can follow our daily progress and postings on FB— ”No National Park.”
The Defense Fund
Who Are We
The Delaware Water Gap Defense Fund works to prevent the efforts of any organization to change the designation of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to that of a
National Park.
The Fund is a 501C3 non-profit established in perpetuity to protect the Recreation Area for all time.
What We Do
Outreach to Local Communities
♦ We provide presentations to groups who want to learn more about the impact of the proposal on their immediate communities and DWGNRA.
♦ Our website is regularly updated with information events and new findings about the proposal.
♦ On Facebook: No National Park provides a forum for pertinent discussion and opinions, for the exchange of information.
♦ Lawn signs, banners and bumper stickers are available to display in your neighborhood. ♦ If you wish to make a statement to your local officials at a meeting or any gathering, we will help you with your statement…..in your words, in your voice.
2023—We’ve been busy every day making phone calls, answering emails, posting events on Face book arranging meetings, following up with all of the phone calls, emails, developing strategies and continuously challenging the proposal to change the designation. Meetings and other activities are listed on the next page.
Did You Know…..You can follow the progress and changes in the proposal(s) by visiting www.ourpark.org—the website for the Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve. I check in every other week just to see what’s changed and that’s how we found out about the revised proposal. If you’ve been following us, you know the idea of “Forest to Field Conver sion” in the Lenape Preserve is disturbing. Also on the downside is the decrease in agricultural leasing. And take note of the section on entry fees. The Alliance is proposing a prohibition of entry fees in the legislation. LEGISLATION!! What/Where is the legislation??? I often say, it’s not what you’re reading...it’s what you’re NOT reading. Ask the hard questions. Get the right answers.
Thank You! We’ve made great strides this past year to keep folks aware of the people and organizations pushing for this change. Over 300 lawn signs have been posted in affected areas in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Banners are displayed at local businesses. Presentations have been made for several organizations. Elected and appointed officials have responded positively to our efforts to stop the change. Your support and encouragement, the contacts and information shared has driven this movement. We will continue to be heard as we all SPEAK UP and SPEAK OUT
NO RESPONSE FROM THE ALLIANCE against the park, DESPITE NUMEROUS REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
Financial Support is Always Appreciated - if you'd like to donate to the cause click HERE.
Looking Back at 2023
January
Confirm Delaware Riverkeepers Network support.
New Jersey Sierra Club drops proposal support.
Confirm “No Position Taken” from National Park Conservation Association and Delaware River Basin Commission.
Confirm PA Senator Lisa Baker opposes.
February
Address PA Monroe County Commissioners Confirm NJ Congressman Gottheimer oppose Confirm PA Farm Bureau oppose
Interview with Channel 13
Address Smithfield Township Commissioners Confirm Delaware River Shad Fishermen oppose
Confirm NJ League of Conservation Voters oppose
Confirm NJ Senator Steinhardt opposes
Confirm PA Representative Joe Adams oppose
Confirm Safari Club International oppose
Confirm PA Representative Madden oppose
Confirm NJOA opposes
Confirm PA Senator Rosemary Brown oppose
March
Interview with Blue Ridge Cable
April
Attend Green Garden State Alliance event in Princeton
Meet with NJ Congressman Kean
Confirm Delaware Water Gap, PA oppose
Address Delaware Township Historical Society
Address New Jersey Fed. of Sportsmen Clubs Met with member PA Fed. of Sportsmen's Clubs
June
Confirm NJ Audubon Society—no position taken Address Sandyston Township Planning Board
Trout Unlimited Logos removed from Alliance website—confirm no position taken
Address Sussex County Commissioners
Address Montague Township
Zoom Harrisburg, PA Sierra Club
Address Sandyston Township
Meet with Amendola, Gov. Murphy aide Address Warren County Commissioners
July
Met with Congressman Cartwright—oppose Exhibit 2-day Milford event
August
Address Hercules Rod & Gun Club
Attend Pike County Planning Board session
September
Revised proposal from Alliance issued Meet with Representative Adams
Attend Sandyston Meeting –Superintendent Sapp from NPS speaking
Address Skylands Tea Party
Attend Sussex County Commissioners meetings
Attend DRN meeting in NY—FIMFO Participate Akenac Park event
Address Sussex County Board of Agriculture Confirm Representative Probst oppose Attend Warren County Commissioners meetings
Met with Tara Mezzanotte—Rock Fall Project
Exhibit NJ Highlands Coalition Rivers Conference
October
Address Pike County Council on Government
Attend Sussex County Commissioners Meeting
Met Congressman Kean mobile office
Attend Sussex County Commissioner meeting
Presentation Knowlton Township meeting
November
Presentation Birchwood Lakes
Attend Sandyston Township meeting/Sierra Club Address Marcel Lakes HOA Board
December
Meeting with Congressman Kean Staff
Info sent to Gottheimer Environmental Policy – Rindhuss
Financial Support is Always Appreciated - if you'd like to donate to the cause click HERE.
Thank you all for your attention and efforts to support this cause. Together we are making a HUGE difference!