UPPER DELAWARE VALLEY — The economic impact of recreational fishing in the cold waters of the Upper Delaware River and its tributaries is estimated to be at least $199.9 million. Believing there is potential to increase this economic contribution by as much as $66.6 million, two partners, the Delaware County Economic Development (DCED) agency and the non-profit organization Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR), are conducting a survey of businesses, ranging from fishing guide services and tackle shops to food markets and convenience stores and other local businesses.

“The business survey is an important source of data to demonstrate that protecting and enhancing the cold-water ecosystem of the Upper Delaware River through improved and consistent water releases from the New York City Delaware River Basin reservoirs can generate significant economic gains for our region,” said FUDR Executive Director Jeff Skelding.

“We are confident the economic impacts are very large and answers to these questions will help illustrate this,” said DCED Director Glenn Nealis.

The online business survey may be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/s/FishingImpactSurvey. A hard copy of the survey is also available from Delaware County Economic Development, which can be reached at 607/746-8595, or at their office at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4, Delhi, NY 13753.

The survey and resulting study are being conducted with the assistance of Shepstone Management Company and will address impacts for the region as a whole, including Broome, Delaware and Sullivan counties in New York and Wayne County in Pennsylvania.

The study will be finalized in January.