2021 Keynote
A Fishable, Swimmable, Delaware River
Summary: The lower Delaware River has for too long been only considered safe for only secondary contact -- this antiquated level of protection doesn't reflect the diverse existing uses of activity on the lower Delaware River that are primary contact!
Abstract: The lower Delaware River has seen an amazing rebirth over the last generation. But the protections under the Delaware River Basin Commission still depend on a 30-year old mentality that the lower Delaware River is unsafe for primary contact in any shape. This antiquated regulatory structure directly violates a multitude of existing uses along the lower Delaware in both NJ and PA that should be protected under the Clean Water Act for their activity that exposes the users to primary contact with the lower Delaware. A set of organizations are actively petitioning the Delaware River Basin Commission to upgrade the standards for the lower Delaware River from secondary to primary contact. Join this session to learn directly how the lower Delaware River can truly become a swimmable and fishable River.
Speakers
Doug O'Malley
he, him, his
Director
Environment New Jersey
As director of Environment New Jersey, Doug has led campaigns to fast-track New Jersey’s clean energy economy via offshore wind, solar and energy efficiency programs, oppose the expansion of fossil fuel projects, and expand electric vehicles across the state. He has also led campaigns focused on New Jersey’s drinking water quality and protection of the state’s watershed lands. Doug serves on the boards of the Work Environment Council, and the Environmental Endowment of New Jersey. He was recognized by EPA Region II with an Environmental Quality Award in 2012.
Erik Sildorff
he, him, his
Senior Scientist
Delaware Riverkeeper Network
Erik Silldorff is the Restoration Director and senior scientist at the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. As a stream ecologist and statistician, Erik brings an ecological focus to both protection and restoration efforts throughout the Delaware River Basin, seeking to maintain ecological health where it persists and restore ecological health in degraded streams and rivers.
Abby Jones
she, her, hers
Senior Attorney
PennFuture
Abby is Vice President of Legal and Policy at PennFuture. As Vice President, Abby is responsible for integrating PennFuture's legal, regulatory, and policy activities in furtherance of the organization's mission of protecting Pennsylvania's air, water and land, and empowering citizens to build sustainable communities for future generations.
In her role as an attorney based out of PennFuture's Mt. Pocono office, her work focuses on water quality and watershed protection, special protection waters, and stormwater management. Abby also works on the issues related to the petrochemical and fracking industries that are threatening the health of Pennsylvania's people and environment.
Prior to joining PennFuture, Abby was a Staff Attorney at Riverkeeper, where her work focused on civil litigation and administrative enforcement actions targeted at safeguarding the water quality and ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries. Before that, Abby worked as an environmental attorney in New York City and Cheyenne, Wyoming. She has written about and presented on a variety of environmental issues including the regulation and legal challenges of Marcellus Shale development in New York, energy leases for private property owners in Western States, and the Superfund cleanup of the Hudson River.
Abby earned a B.A. from Cornell University, where she was a member of the nationally-ranked Division I Women’s Lacrosse team. She received her J.D. and Certificate of Environmental Law from Pace University School of Law, cum laude, being presented with the prestigious Henry M. Feldschuh Environmental Law Award upon graduation for her leadership in and dedication to environmental law.
Abby is on the Editorial Board for the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Natural Resources & Environment publication. She is a Senior Fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program (Eastern Regional Network, 2020) and a 2012 graduate of the New York City Environmental Law Leadership Institute (NYCELLI).
When not working to protect Pennsylvania’s natural resources, Abby enjoys being outdoors and exploring them with her family.