The Upper DelAWARE River Roundtable is a networking initiative to foster communication and collaboration between regional partners and stakeholders in the Upper Delaware River Valley and provide tools and educational activities for governmental entities to enhance the future of this national natural resource.
Facilitated by the UDUUF Consulting Minister Laurie Stuart as an outreach ministry of the fellowship, the Roundtable is bringing together stakeholders on a bi-monthly basis to share information about regional initiatives and activities. The sessions are held at the Tusten Town Hall, in Narrowsburg, NY. The 2009/2010 meeting schedule is December 3, February 4, April 1, June 3, August 5, October 7 and December 2.
The 2008 activities included the creation and continual updating of a regional map of the Upper Delaware, which was an early accomplishment of this initiative, which shows existing development, proposed subdivisions over 20 units and preserved lands from the Delaware Water Gap, NY to the headwaters of the Upper Delaware in Delaware County, NY; the presentation of a series of land-use workshop for local officials; and development of an Internet communications tool.
The 2009 activities included hosting the Pace Law Center’s Land Use Leadership Alliance Training in the area. The four-day training program, held April 3, April 17, May 1 and May 15 at the Eldred Preserve in Eldred, NY, provided the opportunity of 35 local officials, 17 from New York and 18 from Pennsylvania to explore land-use strategies, consensus building, and regional stewardship. The Roundtable will provide follow up to this group of officials and facilitate additional exploration of collaboration on regional projects.
Additionally, as natural gas drilling has become a hot topic for the area, Roundtable partners have turned their attention to looking to understand the process in a whole-systems approach, identify gaps and explore ways to strengthen the system, thus creating space for potential gains and mitigating negative impacts.
The beauty and productivity of the Roundtable is based on the concept that through communication, regional stakeholders and partners will find collaborative efforts that enhance the future of the Upper Delaware River Valley. The Delaware Highlands Conservancy (570/226-3164, www.delawarehighlands.org) provides an umbrella organizational structure. For more information email roundtable@upperdelaware.com or call Laurie Stuart, Roundtable convener at 845/252-6626.
