HANCOCK, NY — Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) is hosting its fifth annual Water, Water, Everywhere conference (WWE), themed “The Future of the Upper Delaware River,” at the West Branch Angler Resort in Hancock, NY on October 14 and 15.

The event will feature in-depth discussions on innovative approaches to stream restoration, improving river flows throughout the watershed, and securing federal, state and local funding to increase investment in water quality improvements and the creation of a river-based economy for the region.

“The goal of WWE is to bring multiple stakeholders together to identify achievable solutions to our most pressing challenges in the watershed. These include equitable distribution of water for the benefit of everybody, protection of the nationally renowned cold-water fishery through more consistent water releases, restoring tributaries and eliminating sediment pollution, and securing the necessary levels of funding to get the job done,” said FUDR Chairman Dan Plummer.

The conference will feature interactive discussions and extensive audience participation on critical river conservation issues:

Top-level decision makers and front line negotiators (known as the “Decree Party Principals”) from New York City, New York State, New Jersey and Delaware will discuss Delaware River water resource needs for their constituents and how that will shape the next water management plan (OST/FFMP) for the New York City Delaware River basin reservoirs (Cannonsville, Pepacton, Neversink).

Leading practitioners in stream restoration techniques will explain how historic and modern-day land uses have affected Upper Delaware River tributaries, the impacts that result from these conditions including sediment pollution and increased flooding, and how community leaders can get behind innovative, on-the-ground restoration projects that can result in long-term solutions that protect communities, people, water quality and wildlife.

State, regional and local professionals in conservation funding will be discussing existing opportunities and programs that fund Upper Delaware River protection and restoration projects, future investment needs that can fill funding gaps, and funding opportunities on the horizon.

“Our goal is to energize conference participants in a way that stimulates collaboration and cooperation to solve complex watershed challenges that benefit people, communities and the environment. A unified approach with clear goals and strong leadership is the only way to achieve these goals, and we want this event to jumpstart that effort,” said Jeff Skelding, executive director of FUDR.

For more information contact Jeff Skelding at 410/245-8021, or visit www.fudr.org to view the conference agenda and get directions.