NARROWSBURG – The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) publicly dedicated a first-ever plaque to honor former U.S. Congressman Matt McHugh that now overlooks the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River that his visionary legislation protected 47 years ago.

The September 26 unveiling ceremony was held at the Big Eddy Observation Deck on Main Street in Narrowsburg.

The 16” by 22” bronze and gold-etched plaque includes a period photo of the Honorable Matthew F. McHugh, United States House of Representatives, with an inscription that reads, “In 1978, Congressman McHugh (NY) exhibited foresight and leadership to sponsor the federal legislation to designate the Upper Delaware River in New York and Pennsylvania as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to ensure its protection in perpetuity through a cooperative management partnership, dedicated by the Upper Delaware Council, Inc.”

UDC Executive Director Laurie Ramie introduced Marvin Rappaport, who served as Chief of Staff to Rep. McHugh from 1975 to 1979, during the time that the 18-year member of Congress authored the carefully crafted legislation to add 73.4 miles of the Upper Delaware River from Hancock, NY to Mill Rift, PA to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

It was Rappaport’s oral history interview with McHugh, 86, who currently resides in northern Virginia, that he presented at the UDC’s April 3, 2025 monthly meeting, which inspired this project.

In a letter read by Rappaport, Rep. McHugh said in part, “From the outset, my bill was blessed with invaluable support [mentioning federal and state agency staff, Sullivan County native Rappaport, Congressmen Ben Gilman (NY) and Joe McDade (PA), and the relevant House subcommittee]. Prior to our bill, the National Park Service had exclusive authority for managing protected river corridors, an arrangement strongly opposed by many of my constituents. Today, almost 50 years after passage of the legislation, we can truly celebrate the success of our precedent setting, cooperative effort. The special qualities of our Upper Delaware River corridor have been protected, and will continue to be protected, because of the close cooperation of the National Park Service with our local and regional interests in implementing our legislation. I am hopeful that the success of our joint effort will be a template for national legislation going forward. Thank you again for recognizing my contributions. It means a great deal to me and my family.”

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Natural and Cultural Resources Program Manager Tom Kearns spoke on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS), pointing out that “the Upper Delaware is distinguished by its cooperative management model ... [working] in partnership with local communities, private landowners, the Upper Delaware Council, and state and federal agencies to steward these resources together.”

Kearns referred to the river’s protection as “a shared passion and a shared responsibility”, adding that the NPS is humbled to be part of the legacy created by Congressman McHugh to safeguard this remarkable river.

Due to the UDC non-profit organization’s financial deficit challenges caused by flat federal funding and no state operating aid allocations since 1988, Ramie said that fundraising was critical to making this project possible.

“Fortunately, we have a steadfast champion in Nadia Rajsz, chairperson of the Sullivan County Legislature and the UDC’s delegate for the Town of Lumberland; and received a gracious private donation from Narrowsburg resident Devin Corrigan as facilitated by UDC Town of Tusten Alternate Cathleen Breen,” Ramie said.

Rajsz remarked, “Congressman McHugh was truly ahead of his time, a real visionary. Today we have a thriving recreational area and benefit from its economy. The river is a gem. Thank you to Marvin for helping to memorialize the Congressman’s initiative.”

Observing the contributor’s recognition nameplate, Corrigan said, “Having my name next to this Congressman on this plaque actually brings a tear to my eye. I’m very happy to be a part of this legacy that’s going on. Good things are coming!”

The Tusten Town Board had approved the plaque’s installation on a planter at the Big Eddy Observation Deck, as facilitated by Supervisor Ben Johnson and on-site project liaisons Deputy Supervisor Jane Luchsinger and Councilwoman Cass Collins, who each spoke, along with Trout Unlimited Upper Delaware Chapter President and former Town of Highland Supervisor and UDC Representative Andy Boyar.

The September 26 ceremony ended with a round of applause to share with Congressman McHugh on the video recorded by NPS Upper Delaware Visual Information Specialist Jasmine Leung, as participants took a photo with the plaques designed by Dorene Warner from W Design in Barryville and installed without charge by general contractor Tom Coacci, before everyone was invited to a celebratory luncheon at the UDC office.

As a member of Monticello’s Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library Local History Committee, Marvin Rappaport also recently recorded an oral history interview with Town of Tusten Historian Art Hawker that chronicles the town’s origins, prominent businesses, influential public figures, and important town events over the decades.