State and County Governments Join Forces with Delaware Canal 21 to Explore Future Options for the Delaware Canal
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Delaware Canal 21 (“DC21”), a Point Pleasant, PA based non-profit, are delighted to announce that DCNR, Bucks County, and Northampton County have joined forces with Delaware Canal 21 to investigate various options to put the Canal on a sustainable footing both fiscally and in terms of maintenance. The ultimate goal is to enable the Canal to reliably carry a full head of water for its entire 60 mile length from Bristol in the South to Easton in the North.
Doug Dolan, DC21’s Executive Director, said the parties have signed agreements, and expect to move forward over the next several months to conduct a feasibility analysis to consider ways to better fund and maintain the Canal. “We are looking at a rigorous professional and independent analysis, conducted with complete transparency,” Dolan said. Based on the results of the study, DCNR and the two counties will determine how best to reach the goal of sustainability.
“DCNR is proud to own and operate the Canal, and we are excited to join with Bucks and Northampton Counties and with DC21 to explore options for improving and sustaining the Canal,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “The Canal impacts many communities along its 60 mile path, and, as a result of this partnership, we all hope that we will have a better Canal for generations to come.”
“We endorse this feasibility study and are committed to providing professional consultation until its completion. This study will take into primary consideration the purpose of Pennsylvania State Parks as it relates to public opportunities for outdoor recreation and education, coupled with historic interpretation. Additionally, the utmost attention will be given to the stewardship responsibilities associated with the maintenance of this National Historic Landmark.”
Delaware Canal 21 has applied for grants totaling $290,000 from DCNR and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to fund the study. DCNR and DCED have awarded grants totaling $175,000 and DC21 is seeking an additional $115,000 from DCED and further support from the private sector. Officials estimate that the study will begin in the third quarter of 2020 and be completed by the end of 2021.
“The Delaware Canal is an important part of our cultural and economic history in Bucks County,” stated Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, “It is well worth our time and effort to cooperatively seek creative and effective ways of restoring and maintaining the Delaware Canal for the long-term enjoyment and enlightenment of our residents, our visitors, and our future generations.”
Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure remarked, “This investigation is a most worthy endeavor. We hope at the end of the process, the benefits to the people of Northampton County will be more obvious and that we will be able to move forward boldly in the future.”
Allen Black, Chairman of the Board of DC21, expressed his gratitude to the leaders of DCNR and of both Counties, noting that their dedication and willingness to think “out-of-the-box” have led to this positive outcome in which state, county and community officials are working together to ensure future sustainability to one of the most iconic and beloved landmarks of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Black pointed out that in addition to the major sustainability initiative about to get underway, DC21 is working with DCNR and the William Penn Foundation on seven important local Canal improvement projects spread over the full length of the Canal from working with Bristol Borough to lay the ground work for reclaiming the last mile of the Canal, to hydraulic analysis and recommendations for dealing with canal flooding in Morrisville and Yardley, to working closely with the City of Easton to pursue a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Lehigh River to link the Downtown Easton Waterfront to the Head of the Canal and its towpath trail. Those projects should be completed in the next few months according to Black.
Doug Dolan, Executive Director of DC 21, welcomes the public and others to submit (either by mail or email) any comments, suggestions, ideas, or questions they may have. Such comments or questions should be sent to DC21 at Post Office Box 262, Point Pleasant, PA 18950 or via email at ddolan@delawarecanal21.org. Mr. Dolan noted as well that contributions from the public in support of DC21’s work would be greatly appreciated.
DC21’s recently announced project received FRONT PAGE coverage in the Bucks County Herald.
Here’s another Bucks County Herald article about this historic agreement.
The announcement also received coverage in The Intelligencer.