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Maurice Hinchey's Letter to Tom Ridge 10/09/2001

The Honorable Tom Ridge
Director of Homeland Security
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Director Ridge:

I am writing to call your attention to the vulnerability of the New York City Watershed to attack. Although some security precautions have been taken in recent weeks, it will require substantial federal support to ensure the safety of the water supply system, which serves 9 million people in New York City and nearby communities.

The six reservoirs in Ulster and Sullivan counties, which I represent, supply New York City with 90 percent of its water. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which owns the reservoirs, closed the roads that provide access to them and put additional law enforcement officials on-site following the September 11 attacks. However, these efforts fall far short of what is needed. For example, the increased security at the reservoirs now amounts to a total of 140 police officers. By way of comparison, 450 officers and 700 guards patrolled the watershed during World War II. The means used for denying access to the reservoirs today are insufficient, rubber traffic cones or wooden barricades on the roads, waist-high, antiquated fences in the wooded areas. These blockades serve only to keep out law-abiding citizens, no those who mean us harm.

An attack on the upstate New York reservoirs could case devastation and loss of human life far in excess of the criminal attacks of September 11. For that reason, I urge you to treat protection of the New York City Watershed as a matter of national security. The need for additional manpower, improved equipment, and air patrols if far greater than the City of New York has the ability to provide, especially at this time.

Given the magnitude of the risk, I believe that federal support for watershed protection is absolutely necessary. I urge you to treat this matter as one of homeland defense. This is a legitimate and appropriate use of the funding appropriated by Congress.

I also hope to call the attention of the Administration to another dire consequence of the September 11 attacks. While the inadequate road blockades around the Ulster and Sullivan County reservoirs would not prevent a terrorist attack, they have effectively cut off all commercial traffic tot he businesses that are located within the vicinity of the reservoir. Many of these small, family-owned businesses are in danger of closing their doors for good as a result of the road closures. I urge the Administration, as we move forward with an economic stimulus package and the allocation of additional emergency funding for individuals and businesses, to provide some financial relief for those in the watershed, who have been affected. Although these businesses are located 90 miles from the World Trade Center, the impact on the livelihood of the families that operate them has been comparable to that of many new York City proprietors.

I sincerely appreciate your attention to this important matter.

Maurice D. Hinchey
mhinchey@mail.house.gov