The sturgeons are celebrating!!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did what it said it was going to do and announced on Sept. 22 its improved water quality standards for the urban stretch of the Delaware River.

That happened while I was away in Spain in the depths of the countryside, which was terrific.

If you know anything about journalists, you know they don’t like coming late to the party.

Here’s the story, a week late. But just because we’re late, there’s no reason not to celebrate!!!

And if you want to know what a long strange trip it’s been, have a gander at our Special Report section titled Series: Atlantic Sturgeon.

Just two more stories this week (see previous note about how we’ve been away).

From freelancer Isabella Darcy, “A passion project details World War II defenses of the Delaware Bay.”

Sketches and photos illustrate the text, which is a gold mine of details about these historic defenses in the Delaware watershed

And Lauren Yates writes about the threat of increased summer flooding on the main stem Delaware River caused by a phenomenon called “flood synchronization.”

Ultimately, the reason is climate change, with more rain than we’re accustomed to.

I hope all of you have been able to get away this summer (and early fall). It helps to give our tortured brains a reset!!!

Thanks, as always, for reading.