TUSTEN, NY — How does a group prohibited from lobbying get the government to give them more money?

National Park Service (NPS) employee Lindsey Kurnath told the Upper Delaware Council (UDC), of which she is a member, that an NPS attorney warned that the UDC’s call to action could be categorized as lobbying.

The UDC, a partnership that works to protect the Upper Delaware River and the land around it, is funded by a line item in the National Park Service budget.  There has never been an increase in funding ever since the group was enacted by Congress in 1988. Group members say it has become increasingly challenging to function on a 1980s budget today.

Working to protect the river valley while considering private property, the group uses a river management plan to assess proposed new land uses for the towns in New York and Pennsylvania within the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River area.

Hoping to better their situation, the group placed a call to action on their website, asking people to appeal to the state and federal government for more money.

The group has since taken down the call to action but continues to contend with money shortages while trying to protect the river.

Frustration was evident in a recent committee meeting.

Laurie Ramie, the UDC’s executive director, said she spoke with the offices of the two U.S. Senators from Pennsylvania, John Fetterman and Bob Casey, Jr., about the UDC’s plight. Ramie said she made clear that this was not a formal request for more money but that she hoped it would put a spotlight on their situation. But, Ramie said, both offices are already aware that federal funding has been static for 37 years and that the state has not contributed its fair share. 

Kurnath said she is also exploring federal funding avenues.

The UDC’s former chair, Aaron Robinson, suggested placing a notice in newspapers requesting that people write letters. But Kurnath said she thought this would still be considered lobbying.

To learn more about the UDC visit upperdelawarecouncil.org.

Editor's note: This story has been updated from the original to correct an error.

The UDC is struggling with how to protect the river in the 21st century with a 1980s budget. Pictured: A bald eagle in the Upper Delaware.