Galligan honored

GOSHEN –– Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan was the recipient of the Women’s Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties’ Public Interest Attorney Award at the organization’s annual meeting and awards dinner at the Palacio in Goshen last Thursday.

The award recognizes a member for her or his outstanding legal services and/or community supportive efforts in the public sector. The member will have made significant contributions to the public through her/his volunteer or pro-bono work, or through her or his regular employment in the public or private sector.

Additional honorees included Cynthia Hand, Esq., who received the Outstanding New Attorney Award, and Hon. Hyun Chin Kim, Orange County Court Judge, who received the Distinguished Attorney Award.

Galligan told the Demo­crat that the recognition was “certainly an honor.”

In summarizing her remarks Galligan said she thanked, “... the Association for recognizing the important role prosecutors play in the public interest, because, when the rules apply to everyone equally, the rights of crime victims must be held in the same esteem as the rights of the accused, and when we, as attorneys committed to public service, commit ourselves to equal application of the Constitution for everyone, we can get justice done.”

‘Historic’ funding celebrated

HANCOCK –– Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) and their conservation partners announced a “historic victory” when NY Governor Kathy Hochul and the NY State Legislature recently approved a new $300,000 line item in the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for the Upper Delaware River (UDR).

The EPF is part of the FY 2023 New York State budget and authorizes FUDR to implement a UDR watershed restoration and protection plan, linked to the federal Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, that will fund on-the-ground watershed projects for multiple economic and environmental benefits.

FUDR says the accomplishment is the culmination of a three year campaign led by them, the New York League of Conservation Voters, The Nature Conservancy, Audubon NY, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, the Upper Delaware River Tailwaters Coalition, and the Alliance for the Upper Delaware River Watershed.

“The enactment of EPF funding for the Upper Delaware River sets the stage for the creation of a comprehensive watershed management program and a source of sustainable future funding to ensure the long-term protection and restoration of the watershed,” said Jeff Skelding, FUDR Executive Director.

Funding from New York State will help support on-the-ground river restoration projects that protect the unique UDR wild trout fishery, mitigate the harmful impacts of flooding, ensure healthy aquatic habitat, curb the spread of invasive species, maintain high water quality, enhance recreational opportunities, and strength­en local economies through job creation and tourism revenue.

Since 2018, FUDR and Trout Unlimited, in partnership with government agencies, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations, have secured more than $4 million in federal funding to initiate watershed restoration projects in the UDR watershed.

FUDR says the new state EPF funding will complement the federal investment by providing urgently needed matching funds for the federal projects and help leverage additional funding for watershed restoration efforts in the Upper Delaware region.

“There are many people who deserve praise for this unprecedented accomplishment. First and foremost, a heartfelt and resounding ‘thank you and job well done’ to NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and her staff who led the charge in the legislature and expertly navigated the state budget process. We also extend our appreciation to NYS Senator Mike Martucci who offered a steady voice in support of UDR state funding and helped highlight how the river can benefit from bipartisan leadership. We couldn’t have done it without these two river champions representing our interests in Albany,” said Skelding.

*Briefs compiled by Joseph Abraham