April, 13 2009, 02:09pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Kathleen O'Neil , Associate Director, Media Relations National Parks Conservation Association 202.419.3717
NPCA Applauds New York and Pennsylvania Activists for Stopping Power Line From Being Built Through Park
WASHINGTON
Statement of Bryan Faehner, Associate Director, Park Use, National Parks Conservation Association:
"The National Parks Conservation Association is relieved that plans to build an electric transmission line along 73 miles of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River have been dropped.
"We thank Senator Schumer, Congressman Hinchey, Congressman Arcuri, Congressman Hall, Congressman Carney, and others who spoke out against this plan. We're also grateful for the hard work of the Upper Delaware Council, the Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, STOP NYRI, and the Communities Against Regional Interconnect (CARI) in protecting the park and its stunning scenery.
"The New York Regional Interconnect would have harmed the resources that national park land was created to protect, including their scenic views. According to the park's own 1986 management plan, new power lines are an 'incompatible use' and present a 'clear and direct threat' to the park.
"NPCA continues to be concerned by Susquehanna-Roseland transmission line proposal that would cross Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
"America's national parks are not blank spots on a map to site power lines. We believe that siting electricity transmission lines through national parks or within their scenic viewsheds is unnecessary and avoidable."
NPCA is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the U.S. National Park System.
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