Sinking our own boat

In the wake of the recent disastrous flooding along the Delaware River, we may want to look at state policies that are encouraging development, increasing stormwater runoff and essentially sinking our own boat. As an example, New Jersey Transit’s plan to rebuild the Lackawanna Cutoff as a commuter rail line through Andover and Blairstown will create four commuter rail stations in Pennsylvania at East Stroudsburg, Analomink, Mount Pocono and Scranton. In essence, NJT policy will provide the impetus for intensive development in the Poconos, thereby reducing the natural ability of the mountains to retain rainwater. With a floodtide of stormwater already dumping into the Delaware during heavy rain, should state agencies be a significant causative factor in our own destruction? William T. Fidurski Clark