Attributing an adjective (or two) to Hurricane Irene's devastation of the NYC watershed region would be, in a word...trite. How can I possibly sum up the impact (or what needs to be done in the months to come) in one word?
The story of a Margaretville man made me really think about what our neighbors are going through. This gentleman's home, once nestled within the hay flats behind Freshtown, is now condemned, its fate lies within a bucket loader.
His fate, however, is more nebulous: he's safe, as is his dog and wife. And he was able, with the help of friends, to dig out a few clothes from the mud. He's a 4X, you see, and finding clothes at the local shelter would be, well, in a word...awkward.
At the Watershed Agricultural Council, we want to take the awkwardness out of the rebuilding process. No detail of your loss is too trite; this is, after all, your life and what's important to you. Let us help you put it back together. If you are a participant in one of our programs (Agriculture, Forestry, Easement, East of Hudson, Farm to Market), please complete this multi-agency damage assessment form, then call one of our regional offices (Agriculture/Farm to Market 607-865-7090, Forestry/Easement 607-865-7790, East of Hudson 914-962-6355). The 3-pager (with lots of space to write) will help you itemize property damage and help us prioritize and direct support to your needs. We work with the USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service, Cornell Cooperative Extension, County Soil & Water Conservation Districts (and their Stream Teams). Since we're committed to water quality -- and boy this was a water event -- we have the tools, resources and technical know-how to help you get back on your feet.
For those of you unsure where to turn, take a look at the Watershed Post, a blog that has instantly connected our communitites throughout this tragedy. We've also collected resources that may be of interest to our farm and food business members of Pure Catskills.
In the meantime, if you're looking to help, most communities are meeting at their fire houses or community centers to assign work details and salvage operations. If you want to give money or supplies, United Way of Delaware/Otsego Counties is coordinating such efforts. One of our partners, Frost Valley YMCA, desperately needs monetary donations for relief efforts on campus.
Water is both destructive and life-giving. In Margaretville, the paradox of no drinking water while surrounded by river flow is mind-twisting. We live in the NYC watershed, home of clean drinking water for nine million New Yorkers. Water is our livelihood. In the days ahead, let's find new words to describe our future: hope, triumph, community, thankfulness, and yes, water.
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