In recent days, I have had a profound feeling of gratitude for the hard work and good intentions of our community. Our collective actions here are making a big difference. With support from people across the country, we are getting the required results, as we many Davids face down the global Goliaths here and now.

The New York State lawsuit for a full study to protect the full watershed is a clear example. This legal action is historic. It’s exactly what was needed. In fact, it’s the best thing that could have happened, as a full cumulative impact study will finally unwind the industry shale play ponzi scheme. Together we all helped make this happen. We must win in the watershed because we can win here. This victory helps protect pure water for everyone everywhere.

I want to publicly thank the many groups in the watershed region, especially the Catskill Mountainkeeper, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, FrackAlert, Farmhearts, the Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy and Damascus Citizens for Sustainability. They are all heroes. The citizens of Tusten, Highland, Lumberland, Cochecton, Shohola, Milford, and countless elected officials, individuals, artists, educators, writers, business and religious leaders are working tirelessly and peacefully toward success. I would like to give special thanks to The River Reporter, the Upper Delaware Council and the Upper Delaware Community Network.

We now have record rains, fires, tornadoes, heat, eco-disasters, floods, and other hardships, and we continue to tear apart Mother Earth. Much work remains, as we all share a finite amount of precious pure water. Yet every day, here in our beautiful river community, a thousand things are being done by a thousand people in a thousand places to protect our water. We are water. Our environment is us. There’s no separation. Water is life. And dear neighbor, we are winning. It feels good. Thank you from the heart.

Pat Carullo

Lackawaxen, PA