NARROWSBURG – The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) voted on May 1 to award a combined $5,676.45 to the Towns of Deerpark and Lumberland through its 2025 River and Shoreline Clean-up Grants.

Since initiating the grant program in 2014, the UDC has awarded $57,600.17 to participating member municipalities as an investment of the Council’s operating funds to help keep the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and its banks pristine.

The Town of Deerpark will focus efforts on the Hawk’s Nest area of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, NYS  Route 97, a much-photographed winding hillside route which offers sweeping views from 200 feet above the river.

The Town Highway Department will conduct two more sweeps after Independence Day and Labor Day to pick up debris along a 2.9-mile section to the Lumberland town line. Estimated expenses for labor, transportation, supplies, and disposal fees are $4,176.45.

The Town of Lumberland will contract with Ann Steimle to do river and shoreline trash patrols every other week within the town boundaries between Camp Tel-Yehudah and the Mongaup River Access from mid-May to mid-September at a cost of $1,500.

The UDC solicited proposals on March 3 with an April 18 deadline. Completion deadline for the two towns to request reimbursement payment is September 12.

Visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org/ and follow the UDC on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the bi-state, non-profit organization and its activities.