Judges Gives Esopus Protectors Victory

June 15, 2006 By: Marshall Cutchin

Noting that New York City’s argument that it shouldn’t have to comply with the Clean Water Act because it doesn’t apply to drinking water is simply silly, a panel of judges upheld a 2001 ruling that penalizes the city for muddying Esopus Creek in the Catskills. “The basic problem is the 80-year-old single intake at the base of the Schoharie Reservoir, which could be fixed with a multilevel intake similar to all the other reservoirs in the city water supply, said Karl Coplan, plaintiffs’ attorney. The Esopus is a beautiful, clear running trout stream that turns ‘chocolate brown’ where the Shandaken Tunnel reaches it, he said.” From the Associated Press.