For Immediate Release

June 7, 2000

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Sojourn, an event to heighten the awareness of and appreciation for the historical, environmental, and recreational significance of the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi, will be held June 17 through June 24.

The sojourn is an annual affair combining canoeing, camping, and educational programs. For the first time in its history, participants will paddle in all four states within the Delaware River Basin -- Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware.

On June 23 the sojourners will take part in OpSail 2000, a parade of tall ships that will dock in Philadelphia and Camden before journeying to New York City for July 4th celebrations.

The eight-day canoe trip will cover more than 100 miles, beginning at Hancock, N.Y. The paddlers will wind up their journey with a picnic in Delaware on June 24. Participants can sign up for individual days or for the entire trip.

Sojourn sponsors include the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), PPL Corporation, Public Service Electric & Gas (PSEG), PECO Energy, and Rohm and Haas.

Members of the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee which arranged the event are the American Canoe Association, the DRBC, the Delaware River Greenway Partnership, the Heritage Conservancy, Kittatinny Canoes, Inc., the National Canoe Safety Patrol, the National Park Service, the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc., the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pocono Environmental Education Center, the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, and the Upper Delaware Council, Inc.

For more information visit the sojourn's web site or call the Heritage Conservancy at 215-345-7020, ext. 135.

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