UPPER DELAWARE RIVER, NY and PA — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) discussed recent funding success and sent letters of gratitude to assembly members during its regular meeting of Thursday, June 4.
The UDC is an organization that serves as a partnership between local and state governments and the federal government to manage a 73.4 mile stretch of the Upper Delaware River and its surrounding areas and preserve its scenic and recreational qualities. It addresses environmental decisions that affect the federally designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River in river towns and townships like Tusten, Cocheton and Lackawaxen.
This year, the UDC received $100,000 from New York State after the Fiscal Year 2026-27 state budget was enacted by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The funding marks the end of more than 30 years of not receiving the funds the UDC was promised at its creation.
At its inception, the UDC was designed to be supported by a mixture of federal funds and state funds, given by New York and Pennsylvania. The UDC even drafted an agreement between the three governments, each agreeing to help with operational costs.
That agreement was never enforced, with New York and Pennsylvania never paying their share. When New York Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay (D, NY-100) was elected, she was notified of the agreement and began to look into it.
“They sent me a copy of it [the agreement],” Kay said. “I reviewed it, and it looked legitimate to me, but it had never been enforced.”
Kay then arranged a meeting with members of the UDC, who also met with the chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee, Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D, NY-66).
In the UDC’s June 4 meeting, Laurie Ramie, executive director of the UDC, related a conversation with Glick. Ramie stated that after listing reasons the funding would be needed, Glick took a piece of paper out and asked how much they would need.
“We said $100,000, and she didn’t shy away from that,” she said.
The UDC thanked Glick for hearing and understanding their concerns, and wished her well on her tenure in their letter of appreciation to her.
Supported by the UDC, Glick and Kay were able to successfully lobby the governor and legislative leadership to get a line item in the budget.
“We lobbied very hard for it with the governor’s team and with, of course, leadership in my house,” Kay said. “We did not ask for all of the money going backwards, but prospectively, the goal is now every year they have operating funds from the state of New York, and hopefully maybe the state of Pennsylvania will realize that they really have a legal obligation here too, and UDC will get additional funding from them.”
Together for the Upper Delaware River
Kay also said what helped the UDC is that they made their ask with another organization, the Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR), who have received state money in the past. FUDR is a separate nonprofit that works to preserve and protect the Upper Delaware River. The joint request by UDC and FUDR not only got UDC its funding, but also saw an increase in the amount given to FUDR.
“I also think one of the great things that happened is I was working with UDC and the other organization, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, and they made their ask together,” Kay said. “FUDR is funded every year, but what was so great about this year, not only was UDC funded, but FUDR got additional money. They received $450,000, which is more than they generally have received as a line item in the budget. So it was a great win for our river communities, for our river, for visitors, for economic development and conservation.”
Ramie said that after having a conversation with Molly Oliver, executive director of FUDR, she learned that the funding would likely take several months to be received, adding that it’s not a check for $100,000 they can deposit. Since the funding is from the New York Assembly, spending it on the Pennsylvania side of the river seems unlikely, she added.
In a statement released by Kay’s office, the UDC thanked Kay for her work and encouraged Pennsylvania to follow suit.
“Assembly Member Kay pledged to be our champion and catalyst for New York State to fulfill its fiscal obligation for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River’s management and maintenance, and she absolutely came through for us,” Ramie said in the statement.
“This first-ever state operational funding will enable the UDC to enhance its value and impact in the river valley after struggling to survive on flat federal funding since 1988, with neither state providing its intended 20-percent shares despite signing on to the 1986 River Management Plan,” Ramie said. “Now it’s time to challenge the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to follow New York State’s lead.”
Ginny Dudko, Deerpark Representative, added in the June 4 meeting that the journey to getting funding was a long one that even some council members wanted to give up on.
“We’ve been so frustrated throughout the years.” Dudko commented, commending Ramie’s perseverance in getting funding.
This article originally appeared in The River Reporter by Sonia Ahmed and Patrick Kelly
Image: Upper Delaware Council Executive Director Laurie Ramie makes a point during a Thursday, June 4 meeting of the Upper Delaware Council. (Liam Mayo/River Reporter)