Delaware River Basin Commission

Senate Approves Legislation with Carper-Coons Language Directing Restoration of Federal Funding to DRBC

20 May 2013

For Immediate Release

May 20, 2013

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the U.S. Senate on May 15 passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA) by a 83-14 vote that included a provision directing the federal government to pay its share of the commission's annual budget. The bill, S. 601, must still be approved by the House of Representatives.

"We are very grateful to Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons for the leadership roles they played in securing this important DRBC funding language in the WRDA bill," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "The legislative process is still far from over, but we are very encouraged by the actions taken by the Senate."

The amendment advanced by Senators Carper and Coons (both D-Del.), which was included in the final legislation by unanimous consent, was cosponsored by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez (both D-N.J.), and Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (both D-N.Y.).

"We also would like to thank the five amendment cosponsors and the other legislators in the Senate and House who favor federal funding restoration, as well as the many individuals and organizations who have written letters and voiced their support of the commission," Collier said.

The federal government, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania agreed to support the DRBC's annual budget when President Kennedy and the four governors signed into law the compact creating the commission in 1961. However, the federal government has ignored this agreement by failing to fund its 20 percent "fair share" of the DRBC's annual budget in 16 of the last 17 years while remaining an active voting commission member possessing the same powers and authority as the other signatory parties. The cumulative federal shortfall since 1996 is nearly $11 million, or almost double the size of the annual DRBC current expense budget.

"Many experts agree that river basin commissions like DRBC are the most effective and efficient way to manage interstate water resources," Collier said. "Sadly, the future of the DRBC is in serious jeopardy due to the unsustainable fiscal situation created by federal funding inaction and the ripple effect it is now having on contributions by our member states."

The Carper-Coons amendment directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to annually allocate funds from its general expenses to the DRBC, Susquehanna River Basin Commission, and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin to cover the equitable funding requirement of each congressionally approved compact. If funding is not provided in a fiscal year, the amendment requires the Army Corps to provide a report to Congress explaining the reason for the lack of funds and the impact on water supply allocation, water quality protection, water conservation, drought management, flood loss reduction, and recreation.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Del., N.J., N.Y., and Pa.) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

For more information about the DRBC budget, visit the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Senate Passes Bill Directing Restoration of DRBC Federal Funding

20 May 2013

Two Temple Univ. Professors Author Paper on DRBC's Adaptive Management Approach

13 May 2013

SAN Celebrates 10 Years Protecting the Schuylkill River Watershed

10 May 2013

The Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) marks its 10^th anniversary in 2013. SAN's mission is to improve the water resources of the Schuylkill River Watershed by working in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies and governments, local watershed organizations and land conservation organizations, businesses, academics, and water suppliers, to transcend regulatory and jurisdictional boundaries in the strategic implementation of protection measures for the entire watershed. Learn more about SAN at the above link.

To celebrate a decade of watershed achievements, SAN held a luncheon event with presentations, speakers, awards, and networking on Thursday, May 9, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Audubon, Pa. DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier offered the closing remarks.

View photos from the event on SAN's Flickr page.

Schuylkill Action Network 10 Year Anniversary Event: May 9, 2013

9:30-10:00 Registration and Networking

10:00-10:30 Welcome and Kickoff (Audubon Center Welcome by Jean Bochnowski)

Shawn M. Garvin, Regional Administrator, U.S. EPA Region III
Peter Grevatt, Director of the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, U.S. EPA
Lynn Langer, Regional Director, PA DEP Southcentral Regional Office
Howard Neukrug, Commissioner, Philadelphia Water Department
Jen Adkins, Executive Director, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

10:30-11:15 Keynote Speakers

Lori Reynolds, Office of Infrastructure and Assistance, U.S. EPA Region III
Chris Crocket, Deputy Commissioner, Philadelphia Water Department

11:15-12:30 Partner Presentations Ideas

Schuylkill River Restoration Fund: Tim Fenchel, Schuylkill River Heritage Area
AMD Success - The Mary D Project: Bill Reichert, Schuylkill Headwaters Association
Agriculture Success in Berks County: Kim Murphy, Berks County Conservancy
SAN Water Supplier Partnerships: Jesse Goldberg, Miller Environmental
Stormwater Outreach and Implementation: Lisa Wool, Partnership for the Del. Estuary
Saucony Creek Brewing Company partnership: Matt Lindenmuth, Owner SCBC

12:30-1:15 Lunch

1:15-1:35 Award Presentations

Lehigh Anthracite
Berks County MS4 Committee
Larry Lloyd
East Norriton Middle School
SSM Group, Inc.
Philadelphia Water Department (Delaware Valley Early Warning System)

1:35-1:45 Closing Remarks

Carol Collier, Executive Director, Delaware River Basin Commission

1:45-2:30 Networking Reception

DRBC Approves Docket for Exelon's Limerick Generating Station

10 May 2013

For Immediate Release

May 10, 2013

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at its May 8, 2013 public business meeting unanimously approved a docket for water withdrawals and discharges from the Exelon Generation Company, LLC Limerick Generating Station (LGS), located in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pa.

The DRBC docket consolidates within a single approval all conditions relating to the surface water withdrawals required to meet consumptive (evaporative) and non-consumptive needs at LGS and the facility's surface water discharge to the Schuylkill River. The docket provides for an increase in the maximum daily withdrawal from the Schuylkill River and establishes a maximum monthly withdrawal limit, while maintaining the monthly water withdrawals from the previous docket. The water withdrawals will continue to be made primarily from the Schuylkill River. The docket also continues to contain restrictions on the consumptive cooling water withdrawals from the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Creek under certain flow conditions. During those conditions, consumptive cooling water needs will continue to be met by augmenting flows of the Schuylkill River from Wadesville Mine Pool and the Tamaqua Reservoirs and/or diversions to the Perkiomen Creek from the Delaware River.

The docket approves the use of water from the Wadesville Mine Pool operations to augment natural flows in the Schuylkill River based upon experience gained from multi-year demonstration projects. Originally intended to run four years, the demonstration projects were extended annually between 2008 and 2013 to provide more time for data collection and for DRBC to consolidate its 12 docket and multiple resolutions into this single docket. Each annual extension resolution was the subject of a public hearing. In addition, DRBC conducted two public meetings each year throughout the multi-year demonstration period to review and discuss the most recent data and the results of the project. The DRBC docket has a term of five years.

The docket also includes the continuation of the Restoration and Monitoring Fund, which was first approved by the commission in October 2004, as well as river and stream monitoring requirements. In addition, the docket includes an operation and monitoring plan. The approved docket (pdf 950 KB), a fact sheet (pdf 627 KB), responses to public comments (pdf 450 KB), and extensive archived information on the demonstration projects are available on www.drbc.net.

Due to the high level of interest in the project, the draft version of this docket was published on June 28, 2012, and the 120-day public comment period closed on October 27, 2012. DRBC and the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection held a joint information session and public hearing on August 28, 2012 in Pottstown, Pa.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

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Contact: Kate Schmidt, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, kate.schmidt@drbc.state.nj.us

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Waterproof Delaware River Maps Available for Purchase

09 May 2013

Interested in a waterproof map set of the Delaware River that you can take with you while you are paddling, fishing, or boating? If so, then DRBC's Delaware River Recreation Maps are for you.

Updated and re-released in 2007, the 10-section, waterproofed map set covers the river's east and west branches prior to their confluence at Hancock, N.Y., the entire 200 mile, non-tidal reach of the river from Hancock to Trenton, N.J., and an additional 25 miles of the tidal river from Trenton to just south of the Betsy Ross Bridge (which connects Northeast Philadelphia, Pa. and Pennsauken, N.J.).

The maps depict river channel locations and depths, access areas, places of interest, stream miles and reference points, and provide a detailed classification of streamflow characteristics in accordance with the International Canoe Federation's Scale of River Difficulty.

The cost is $25/set; shipping and handling is included. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the maps will help fund DRBC's educational/outreach programs and activities.

Click here for more information, including how to order and details on the Schuylkill River Recreation Maps.

Summer is just around the corner - it's time to get outside! The Delaware River Basin offers many recreational opportunities. Visit our recreation and tourism page to learn more about all the fun that can be had on and along the Delaware River and its tributaries.

May 7-8, 2013 DRBC Meeting & Public Hearing Recap: Incl. Exelon Docket Info.

08 May 2013

In Honor of Drinking Water Week: The Importance of Water Conservation

07 May 2013

More than 30 years ago, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and its members started Drinking Water Week, held annually during the first full week in May. Over the years, it has grown into an event celebrated across the United States and Canada, with the primary focus being to join together water professionals and the communities they serve in recognizing the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

RFP&Q - Toxicity Testing - Deadline: Noon, Fri., May 24, 2013 (pdf 234 KB)

03 May 2013

DRBC Staff Teaches Educators with the Bayshore Center at Bivalve about the DRB

02 May 2013

DRBC Communications Manager Clarke Rupert met with Bayshore Center at Bivalve (N.J.) educators in Burlington, N.J. on Thursday, May 2, 2013 to teach them about the Delaware River Basin (DRB). These new educators are part of the 2013 sailing crew of the A.J. Meerwald, N.J.'s official tall ship, which is currently docked in Burlington and operates as a sailing classroom promoting ecological and historical awareness of the Delaware Bay region.

Mr. Rupert went over all aspects of the Delaware River Basin with the educators to help prepare them for the various talks they will be giving throughout the season to passengers. He also discussed the DRBC and how the commission works to protect water resources throughout the watershed.

To learn more about the Bayshore Center at Bivalve and the A.J. Meerwald, please visit the above-linked web site, which includes information on the 2013 sailing season, summer camps, programs (sailing and on-shore), and more.

DRBC's Carol Collier to Participate in May 8 Gifford Pinchot Documentary Screening

01 May 2013

A free screening of the film "Seeking the Greatest Good: The Conservation Legacy of Gifford Pinchot" will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at the Temple Ambler Campus' Learning Center. A reception opens the evening at 6:15 p.m., with the film screened at 7 p.m. A panel discussion will follow the film screening, starting around 8 p.m.

Gifford Pinchot is known as the Father of the Conservation Movement and was the First Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. This documentary discusses the history and continuing value of Pinchot's philosophy of natural resource conservation through sustainable use. In the wake of major wildfires, loss of forests to development, and other conservation concerns, stakeholders of all kinds have come to realize that sustainable forest management will play a role in conserving forests for a wide array of values, including water resource protection, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity.

The documentary also highlights Grey Towers, the ancestral home of Pinchot located along the Delaware River in Milford, Pa. Now a National Historic Site, Grey Towers serves as a conservation education and leadership center, with programs that interpret the lives of the Pinchot family. It is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013.

The panel will include local leaders discussing conservation approaches in 2013. DRBC's Executive Director and Pinchot Institute for Conservation Board of Directors' member Carol R. Collier will introduce the film and also participate in the panel discussion. Other panel participants include Pa. State Representative Kate Harper, Sarah Low, U.S. Forest Service, Dennis Miranda, Exec. Director, Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association, and Jeffrey Featherstone, Ph.D., Temple University.

Download flyer announcing the screening (pdf 650 KB) or click here to learn more.

DRBC Seeks Summer Intern for Freshwater Mussel Survey (pdf 36 KB)

30 Apr 2013

Registration Open for 2013 Delaware River Sojourn: June 22-29

25 Apr 2013

For Immediate Release

April 25, 2013

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Registration is open for the 19th Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 22-29, 2013.

"This year's theme, Our Remarkable River, is based upon the 2012 National Park Service publication Delaware River Basin Wild and Scenic River Values, which highlights the noteworthy characteristics and values that make the Delaware River worthy of special protection," said Richard Egan, chair of the 2013 steering committee.

Close to 60 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2013, split into daily trips ranging from six to 10 miles. This year's sojourn will also revisit the Lackawaxen River, a Pa. tributary to the Delaware River. In brief, the sojourn will include the following stretches:

Saturday, June 22: Ten Mile River Access (N.Y.) to Zane Grey Access (Pa.)
Sunday, June 23: Zane Grey Access to Jerry's Three Rivers Campground (N.Y.)
Monday, June 24: Lackawaxen River (Pa.) - River Bend Access to Zane Grey Access on the Delaware River
Tuesday, June 25: Milford Beach Access (Pa.) to Dingmans Campground (Pa.)
Wednesday, June 26: Dingmans Campground to Bushkill Access (Pa.)
Thursday, June 27: Giving Pond Recreation Area (Pa.) to Bulls Island (N.J.)
Friday, June 28: Bulls Island to Lambertville (N.J.)
Saturday, June 29: Independence Seaport Museum Dock (Pa.) to Gloucester City (N.J.) and back to the Museum Dock with the tide

The cost for sojourners who register by June 15 is $80 per day for adults and $60 per day for children (ages 15 and under). There is an additional one-time insurance fee of $5 per person for this American Canoe Association (ACA)-sanctioned event, except for current ACA members. Further discount opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis for adult paddlers new to the Delaware River Sojourn. Add $10 to the daily rates for registrations made after June 15.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and PFD), shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. On Monday, June 24, all rentals will be rafts when the sojourn paddles the Lackawaxen River. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

Several exciting programs are being offered this year, including dinner and a tour of the Grey Towers National Historic Site, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2013, a trip on the Steamboat SPLASH in Lambertville, N.J., and tours of the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia, Pa. with optional camping.

"The Delaware Sojourn received a grant from corporate donor ShopRite to help subsidize the 2013 event," said Egan. "This is ShopRite's second annual contribution, and the steering committee is appreciative of their continued support."

Space is limited, so please register early! Additional information, including registration details, itinerary overview, sojourn guidelines, and photos is available at http://www.delawareriversojourn.org/. Sojourners are again offered the option to register online using Paypal. Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch at (646) 205-2724 or info@riversojourn.com.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers, and includes the Delaware River Basin Commission. This year's committee is chaired by a volunteer with the National Park Service's Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

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Contact: Kate Schmidt, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, kate.schmidt@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Issues 2013 State of the Delaware River Basin Report

22 Apr 2013

Registration Open for 2013 Delaware River Sojourn: June 22-29

20 Apr 2013

DRBC Teaches Water Quality at the 2013 Lambertville Shad Festival

19 Apr 2013

The 32nd Lambertville Shad Festival took place on Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, 2013 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Lambertville, N.J. This annual festival highlights the region's arts community, the City of Lambertville, the Delaware River, and of course, the American shad!

Learn more about American shad.

The Lewis Fishery, the last commercial shad fishery on the Delaware River, was on hand to demonstrate how to seine (catch with nets) for American shad on both days from Lewis Island. Click here to see 2013 Delaware River shad fishing reports from N.J., including updates from the Lewis Fishery.

On Saturday, April 27, DRBC was set up on Lewis Island to discuss the river's water quality with festival attendees. Staff collected macroinvertebrates (aquatic bugs) from the Delaware River and displayed them for folks of all ages to view and learn about. The amount and kind of macroinvertebrates found in a waterbody can help tell how clean it is. Some are very sensitive to pollution and others are more tolerant. We found several sensitive species, for example, mayflies and stoneflies, in our collections that day, which is a sign that the river is in good health.

We thank Steve Meserve and the entire the Lewis Fishery for allowing us to again display on Lewis Island with them!

To view more photos from the 2013 Lambertville Shad Festival, please visit our Flickr page.

Nat'l Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: Saturday, Apr. 27

19 Apr 2013

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to return unwanted or expired prescription drugs, thereby reducing pollutant loadings into our waterways.

Visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/ or call 1-800-882-9539 for more information, including the collection site locator database.

To learn how to dispose of drugs safely, visit http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/upload/ppcpflyer.pdf.

DRBC-hosted N.J. Watershed Ambassador's Outreach Events for Earth Week 2013

19 Apr 2013

The Americorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program is an environmental community service program administered by the N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to raise public awareness about water and watershed issues and to promote watershed stewardship through direct community involvement. AmeriCorps members are assigned to different watersheds throughout the state to serve as "watershed ambassadors" to their watershed communities.

DRBC is a proud supporter of this program and annually hosts the watershed ambassador for Watershed Management Area 11 (WMA-11), which covers the central Delaware portion of New Jersey. Jade Greene is the 2012-2013 ambassador for WMA-11.

Bacterial Data from Delaware Estuary Boat Run Monitoring Program

19 Apr 2013

Most Recent Wadesville Demonstration Project Information

18 Apr 2013

Most Recent Notice of Applications Received (NAR)

18 Apr 2013

DRBC Staff Demonstrate its HOBO® Loggers to NJDEP Staff

15 Apr 2013

John Yagecic, Standards and Assessment Section Supervisor for DRBC's Modeling, Monitoring, and Assessment Branch, was out in the field on April 11, 2013 with staff from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) demonstrating how DRBC utilizes its HOBO® dissolved oxygen loggers, which record continuous measurements of dissolved oxygen from a waterway.

DRBC has two HOBO® dissolved oxygen loggers, in addition to several HOBO® conductivity loggers, which are currently deployed in the upper Delaware River Basin.

NJDEP staff were shown how to calibrate the instruments and how DRBC has successfully deployed them in waterways. The two dissolved oxygen loggers were placed in the Delaware River at Scudders Falls and in Gold Run, a tributary to the Delaware River.

DRBC will retrieve the meters later this month, process the data collected, and share with NJDEP.

DRBC Staff Participate in Student Outreach

12 Apr 2013

Dr. Ron MacGillivray, DRBC Environmental Toxicologist, participated as a judge in the Delaware Valley Science Fairs at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, Pa., on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. Delaware Valley Science Fairs, Inc. (DVSF) was founded in 1949 and is one of the oldest - and largest - science fairs in the country, helping stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among middle and high school students in the tri-state area. The philosophy behind DVSF is that students learn science by doing science. Learn more about DVSF at the above link.

Dr. MacGillivray selected 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place recipients for the Hudson-Delaware Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (HDC-SETAC) special awards for best posters in environmental science. HDC-SETAC is a professional society for environmental scientists, engineers, and related disciplines concerned with environmental science and health located in the Hudson River and Delaware River metropolitan areas; Dr. MacGillivray is a current member and past-president. Recipients received a certificate and were rewarded either a $100, $75, or $50 check from HDC-SETAC in honor of their achievement. View complete listing of special awards winners (pdf 59 KB).

NOAA PORTS Funding At Risk

12 Apr 2013

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) is a decision support tool that improves the safety and efficiency of maritime commerce and coastal resource management through the integration of real-time environmental observations, forecasts and other information. PORTS measures and disseminates observations and predictions of water levels, currents, salinity, and meteorological parameters (e.g., winds, atmospheric pressure, air and water temperatures) that mariners need to navigate safely.

Program objectives are to promote navigation safety, improve the efficiency of U.S. ports and harbors, and ensure the protection of coastal marine resources.

PORTS are presently operational in the following locations:

Delaware Bay and River
Narragansett Bay
Los Angeles/Long Beach
New Haven, CT
San Francisco Bay
New York/New Jersey Harbor
Lower Columbia River
Tacoma, WA
Chesapeake Bay
Anchorage
Tampa Bay
Soo Locks, MI
Houston/Galveston
Mobile Bay
Cherry Point
Sabine Neches
Pascagoula

(Source: PORTS web site)

Delaware River Basin Helping to Shape IWRSS Federal Initiative

09 Apr 2013

Migratory Fish Return to the Delaware River

04 Apr 2013

While the temperatures have not felt like spring, the migratory fish of the Delaware River tell us that the season is indeed upon us, with spawning runs now beginning in the Delaware River.

SAN Receives 2013 Pa. Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence

29 Mar 2013

Congratulations to the Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) for being one of the recipients of the 2013 Pennsylvania Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence! Awards are granted each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and highlight the best in environmental innovation and expertise throughout the Commonwealth. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Harrisburg Hilton, Harrisburg, Pa. at 5 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Richard Allan, Secretary of the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). For additional details on the awards ceremony, including a complete list of recipients, please click here.

SAN is being honored for its source water protection initiative, which serves as a national model for collaborative watershed restoration and protection and helps to protect drinking water for over 2 Million people. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013, SAN was formed with the primary objectives of improving the health of the watershed, increasing public awareness and value of the watershed, and ensuring safe drinking water supplies for watershed residents. Members include the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD), PADEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region III, and the DRBC.

Since 2003, SAN has worked in partnership with state agencies, local watershed organizations, land conservancies, businesses, academics, water suppliers, local and state governments, regional agencies, and the federal government to achieve a shared vision of a clean and healthy Schuylkill River Watershed, the largest tributary to the Delaware River. The SAN accomplishes this through 6 different issue-specific workgroups organized around abandoned mine drainage, agriculture pollution, stormwater runoff, pathogens, land protection, and education & outreach. Each group, comprised of key practitioners in those fields and with local connections to the issues, meets quarterly to share information and resources, prioritize source water protection work, and discuss how to acquire the resources needed to implement such projects.

Representatives from PDE will accept the award on SAN's behalf on April 17.

Stream Gages Threatened By Loss of Funding

28 Mar 2013

N.J. Clean Water Council: Written Comments Accepted Until April 30 (pdf 200 KB)

26 Mar 2013

Delaware River & Bay Dash for the Trash Volunteers Clean-Up Miry Run

22 Mar 2013

The 2nd Annual Delaware River and Bay Blitz - Dash for the Trash was held from March 9-17, 2013. Organized by the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program, this week-long event brought together volunteers from all over the watershed to help clean-up sections of the Delaware River and Bay.

DRBC is a proud supporter of this program and annually hosts the watershed ambassador for Watershed Management Area 11 (WMA 11), which covers the central Delaware portion of New Jersey.

Jade Greene, 2013 WMA 11 ambassador, led the stream clean-up in Warwick Park, Hamilton, N.J. on Friday, March 15, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. This clean-up focused on Miry Run, a tributary to the Delaware River.

New Jersey Clean Communities of Hamilton, led by Jim Wyrough, graciously provided trash bags and gloves for the volunteers and secured donated coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, which was highly appreciated on a chilly, March day!

Over 35 volunteers joined forces to remove items large and small from Miry Run and the nearby section of Warwick Park. Over 30 bags of recycling (mostly bottles) and four bags of trash were collected. Some of the larger items removed included a treadmill, two armchairs, two shopping carts, and patio furniture.

Congratulations to all involved for a successful clean-up!

DRBC Joins Twitter, also on Flickr and YouTube

20 Mar 2013

National Flood Safety Awareness Week: March 18-22

15 Mar 2013

The National Weather Service (NWS) has designated March 18-22, 2013 as National Flood Safety Awareness Week to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property. Visit the NWS Flood Safety Awareness Week web site for more information.

DRBC Receives Grant to Survey for Contaminants of Emerging Concern

14 Mar 2013

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and Temple University have received a grant to partner on a survey to study contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in Pennsylvania tributaries to the Delaware River. The survey is being funded by the Pennsylvania Water Resources Research Center and Pennsylvania Sea Grant. DRBC project leads are Dr. Ron MacGillivray, Environmental Toxicologist, and Dr. Tom Fikslin, Modeling, Monitoring, and Assessment Branch Manager.

CECs are chemicals that have been detected in surface waters, are not routinely monitored for, and are unregulated; examples include pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Although most of these compounds have been detected at very low concentrations, there is concern about how CECs impact drinking water and the river's ecology. Therefore, it is important to understand their presence, sources, source pathways, fate, and how they degrade in surface water.

Previous studies of the tidal Delaware River showed concentrations of CECs are generally higher in urbanized and industrialized areas. Using these grant funds, ten sampling sites are proposed to be surveyed in an area of southeastern Pennsylvania with numerous municipal and industrial discharges to surface water. The chosen sampling locations are above and below potential source discharges for CECs in streams draining to the tidal Delaware River.

The survey will begin in March 2013 and be completed in February 2014.

Most Recent Project Review Application Status Page

12 Mar 2013

Another Chinese Delegation Visits DRBC

05 Mar 2013

DRBC periodically receives requests to host delegations from other countries to discuss the commission and its programs. A delegation of 20 environmental regulatory officials who work at the national, provincial, and local levels in the People's Republic of China visited DRBC on February 28, 2013. Deputy Executive Director Bob Tudor provided an overview of the Delaware River Basin and the DRBC along with a brief explanation of the commission's work in the functional areas of water supply/flow management and water quality. He also spoke about Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and its key concepts:

Manage water sustainably
Integrate water management between and within levels of government and other organizations
Involve the local public and stakeholders from all water use sectors
Recognize the interconnectedness of land and water; surface water and groundwater; water quantity and water quality; freshwater and coastal waters; rivers and the broader watershed

Three IWRM examples were briefly discussed, including the Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP), Regional Sediment Management Plan (RSMP), and Strategy for Sustainable Water Resources - 2060.

Pa. Severe Weather Awareness Week: March 4-8

01 Mar 2013

Upper Delaware Council Turns 25 on February 22, 2013

22 Feb 2013

DRBC Staff Presents at 8th Annual Delaware Co. Env. Summit

22 Feb 2013

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant and the Delco Concerned Citizens for Environmental Change (DCCEC) sponsored the 8th Annual Delaware County Environmental Summit on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Tinicum, Pa.

The Summit's theme was Emerging Toxins in the Environment and Home. Download agenda (pdf 112 KB).

DRBC Environmental Toxicologist Dr. A. Ronald MacGillivray participated as one of the presenters and discussed Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Tidal Delaware River: A Pilot Monitoring Survey 2007-2009 (pdf 4.4 MB).

Legislators Introduce H.R. 644 to Improve Conservation Efforts in DRB

15 Feb 2013

DRBC Staff Presentations from PDE Science Summit

08 Feb 2013

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) held its 5th Science and Environmental Summit on January 27-30, 2013 at the Grand Hotel and Convention Center in Cape May, N.J. Themed Weathering Change - Shifting Environments, Shifting Policies, Shifting Needs, this conference sought to create more effective partnerships and sharing information among scientists, outreach specialists, resource managers, and others with an interest in the prosperity of the Delaware Estuary.

Several DRBC staff members participated in the Summit as panel moderators or presenters. Presentations that were given are linked below:

Monday, January 28--

Session 1: The State of the Delaware Estuary and River Basin
- Presenters: John Yagecic and David Sayers, "Assessment of Water Quantity and Quality Indicators in the 2012 TREB" (pdf 825 KB)
Session 4: Water Quality and Quantity, Moderated by Dr. Tom Fikslin (and Tom Belton, NJDEP)
- Presenter: John Yagecic, "Temporally Dynamic Representations of Delaware Basin Continuous Data Sets" (pdf 1.4 MB)
- Presenters: Greg Cavallo, Dr. Tom Fikslin, Dr. Namsoo Suk, and Dr. Ron MacGillivray (also w/Douglas Haltmeier), "Assessment of Metals in Estuarine Waters" (pdf 884 KB)
- Poster: Greg Cavallo, Dr. Tom Fikslin, and Dr. Namsoo Suk, "Clean Hands Metals Sampling Techniques" (pdf 202 KB)

Tuesday, January 29--

Session 7 Panel: Managing Shifting Environments - Is a Paradigm Shift Needed?
- Panel Members: Carol Collier, DRBC Executive Director; other panel participants included DRBC Alternate Commissioner Kelly Heffner, PADEP (also w/Sarah W. Cooksey, DNREC, Jill Lipoti, NJDEP, and Shawn M. Garvin, USEPA Reg. 3)
Session 9: Monitoring and Assessment, Moderated by Dr. Jessica Sanchez (and Jim Eisenhardt, CardnoENDRIX)

Wednesday, January 30--

Session 20: Hot Topics
- Presenters: Dr. Tom Fikslin and Dr. Ron MacGillivray (also w/John Jackson, David Funk, and Christopher Nally), "Toxicity Testing in Ambient Water Quality Assessment" (pdf 3.26 MB)

For more information, including a detailed program, please visit http://delawareestuary.org/Science_Environmental.

DRBC Announces New Two-Day Format for Its March Meeting

05 Feb 2013

For Immediate Release

February 5, 2013

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that it will use a new, two-day format for its next business meeting and public hearing on March 5 and 6.

The March 5 public hearing will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. The March 6 business meeting will begin at 12:15 p.m. Both the hearing and business meeting are open to the public and will be held at the DRBC office building, located at 25 State Police Drive in West Trenton, N.J.

In the past, the public hearing on proposed projects to be considered for approval by the commissioners was held immediately prior to a vote as part of the afternoon business meeting. Under the new format to be used on a pilot basis in March, a public hearing on the proposed permits (referred to as "dockets" by DRBC) and resolutions relating to projects will take place on March 5, the day prior to the business meeting where they may be considered for commission action. Written comments on the projects also will be accepted through the close of the March 5 hearing. There will be no opportunity for additional public comments at the March 6 business meeting on those items for which a hearing was completed on March 5 or a previous date.

"The commissioners believe this new format will provide them with some additional time to review any public input they may receive on a proposed project before taking action," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "We'll see how the new format works and make adjustments as necessary for future hearings and meetings."

The March 5 hearing will afford an opportunity for public comment on the proposed projects listed in the public hearing and meeting notice posted on the commission's web site at www.nj.gov/drbc/meetings/upcoming/. This list is current as of Feb. 5; however, the public is advised to check the commission's web site periodically prior to the hearing date since projects may be dropped if additional time is deemed necessary to complete the commission's review. Draft dockets and resolutions relating to these projects will be posted approximately 10 days prior to the hearing date.

The March 6 business meeting will include the adoption of past meeting minutes, announcements, a report on hydrologic conditions, reports by the executive director and general counsel, consideration of items subject to a hearing that was previously completed, and a public dialogue session. The commissioners also may consider action on any matters not subject to a public hearing.

Commission consideration on March 6 of items for which the public hearing is closed may result in either approval of the docket or resolution as proposed, approval with changes, denial, or deferral. When the commissioners defer an action, they may announce an additional period for written comment on the item, with or without an additional hearing date, or they may take additional time to consider the input they have already received without requesting further public input. Any deferred items will be considered for action at a public meeting of the commission on a future date.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

Please visit the commission's web site at www.drbc.net for more information.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate Schmidt, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, kate.schmidt@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Announces New 2-Day Format For March Meeting

05 Feb 2013

Hydrologic Conditions Annual Report 2011 (pdf 133 KB)

04 Feb 2013

FAQs Regarding DRBC's Water Audit Reporting Requirements (pdf 115 KB)

31 Jan 2013

Save the Dates for Three Upcoming AWRA Conferences

29 Jan 2013

Chinese Delegation Visits DRBC

23 Jan 2013

DRBC periodically receives requests to host delegations from other countries to discuss the commission and its programs. Over the years, representatives from China, South Korea, India, Australia, Uganda, and others have met with DRBC staff to learn about the value of managing water resources on a watershed basis, without regard to political boundaries.

Most recently, on January 18, 2013, a delegation from The Huaihe River Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, People's Republic of China, visited DRBC. The Huaihe River Commission is one of seven such commissions that sits directly under the Ministry of Water Resources of the central government. This delegation's main interest area was flood management, and staff explained the commission's flood loss reduction program and related projects and activities.

DRBC Staff Perform Winter Water Quality Monitoring

18 Jan 2013

Even though it's winter and most would prefer to be in the heated indoors, DRBC staff brave the elements to perform water quality testing in the Delaware River and its tributaries.

2012 Interim Report for Wadesville Demonstration Project (pdf 2.5 MB)

15 Jan 2013

DRBC Launches New, Online Reporting System for Its Water Supply Charges Program

03 Jan 2013

For Immediate Release

January 3, 2013

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is pleased to announce the launch of an online reporting system for its Water Supply Charges Program (WSCP). Designed to simplify surface water use reporting for WSCP participants, the new system eliminates the need for the currently used paper reports.

The WSCP includes approximately 400 surface water sources that report either annually or quarterly. In the new system, each user is assigned a unique, secure log-in, allowing electronic input of water use data and automatic receipt of an invoice based on that data. All reporting beginning in 2013 must be completed utilizing the electronic system. Reporting and payment deadlines remain unchanged.

"The availability of the online reporting system marks the completion of the first step of a multi-phase technology upgrade, which is being undertaken to help DRBC become more efficient and transparent," said DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier. "While this system was designed specifically for data submittal by WSCP participants, future phases - budget permitting - include online acceptance of project applications and reports and the development of a web portal to easily share electronic information with the public," Collier continued.

In May 2011, the commissioners gave the green light for DRBC staff to move ahead with efforts to enhance and update the agency's information technology capabilities. URS Corporation was chosen from a pool of 12 potential candidates to work with DRBC staff on the project following a Request for Proposal and Quotation process.

Surface water charges provide the revenue stream the commission needs to repay the debt service and operations and maintenance costs for its water supply storage in two federal multi-purpose reservoirs, Beltzville and Blue Marsh, as well as administrative and staff costs related to the protection and preservation of the basin's water quantity and quality. Storage in Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs is utilized in the commission's lower basin drought operating plan.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Details on the reporting system, including step-by-step instructions, can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Kate Schmidt, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, kate.schmidt@drbc.state.nj.us

***

Water Supply Charges Program Update: Online Reporting Begins January 1, 2013

17 Dec 2012

DRBC Invites the Public to Sign Up for Its Listservs

16 Dec 2012

DRBC Included in AWRA "Case Studies in Integrated Water Resources Management" Report (pdf 2 MB)

05 Dec 2012

Presentations from WRADRB's Fall Conference "Energy, Water, & the Environment in the Delaware River Basin"

04 Dec 2012

The Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin (WRADRB) held its annual fall conference on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. The conference, entitled Energy, Water, and the Environment in the Delaware River Basin was held at the Rutgers EcoComplex in Bordentown, N.J.

The agenda follows, with links to the presentations given.

8:30 A.M. Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 A.M. Welcome and Introductions - Dennis Palmer, P.E., WRA Chairman

Morning Session Moderator - Russell Furnari, Environmental Program Manager - Water, PSEG Services Company

9:10 A.M. Energy and Water Interdependencies and Emerging Issues and Trends - Michael Hightower, Energy Security Center - Sandia National Laboratories (pdf 3.2 MB)

9:45 A.M. Historical Perspectives on Electric Power Plant Development and Water Use in the Basin - Jan Phillips, P.E., Water Resources Consultant (pdf 714 KB)

10:15 A.M. Break

10:40 A.M. Water Use Trends of the Energy Industry in the Delaware Basin - David Sayers, Supervisor of Information, Technology, and Water Use, Delaware River Basin Commission (pdf 3.1 MB)

11:15 A.M. Water Issues Facing Electric Generation in the Basin - Kimberly Long and Chris Conroy, Exelon Generation Company, LLC (pdf 747 KB)

11:45 P.M. Lunch (Provided)

Afternoon Session Moderator - Preston Luitweiler, P.E., Vice President of Water Resources, Aqua PA

12:45 P.M. Case Study: Energy Alternatives and Environmental Considerations for the City of Vineland, N.J. - Joseph Isabella, Director, Vineland Municipal Utilities (pdf 1.6 MB)

1:15 P.M. The Philadelphia Cogeneration Project: Transforming Wastewater Treatment Biogas Into Energy - Gene DeStephano, Associate Vice President and Project Director, AECOM Water (pdf 4.6 MB)

1:45 P.M. Break

2:00 P.M. In-Stream Flow Needs Study in Pennsylvania - Tara Moberg, The Nature Conservancy (pdf 4 MB)

2:30 P.M. Case Study: Defining In-Stream Flow Needs on the Brandywine Watershed for the Newark Reservoir - Gerald Kauffman, University of Delaware School of Public Administration - Water Resources Agency (pdf 4.3 MB)

3:00 P.M. Regulatory Experience in Defining and Implementing In-Stream Flow Requirements in the Susquehanna River Watershed - Andrew DeHoff, Manager of Project Review, Susquehanna River Basin Commission (pdf 1.6 MB)

3:30 P.M. Questions and Answers - Open Discussion

4:00 P.M. Wrap Up and Adjourn - Dennis Palmer, P.E., WRA Chairman

DRBC's 2011 Annual Report (pdf 4 MB)

30 Nov 2012

Hurricane Sandy - After the Storm

02 Nov 2012

Below is a compilation of links to help indiviudals affected by Hurricane Sandy find information regarding disaster assistance help, health and safety tips, storm clean-up, and more.

River Conditions Information (Including Links to National Weather Service & AHPS)

31 Oct 2012

Hurricane Sandy - Important Links to Monitor

26 Oct 2012

Hurricane Sandy is expected to pass through the Delaware Basin early next week and has the potential to bring heavy rains, strong winds, storm surge, and flooding to the basin. Preparations are currently underway in all four basin states to deal with what could be significant impacts. While the exact amount of rainfall and storm track is still somewhat uncertain, the potential for storm-related problems is real. There is also the potential for flooding after the storm vacates our area as runoff travels down-river from upstream points.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is neither an emergency management agency offering 24/7 coverage nor a weather forecasting agency. DRBC gets weather-related information - watches, warnings, statements, precipitation data, river rise forecasts, etc. - from the National Weather Service (NWS) through their web site, as well as from informational briefings given by their meteorologists.

DRBC tries to make it easy for the public and media to find flood-related information by creating links to very good NWS web pages from the DRBC's hydrological information page at http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/hydrological/. Many of the links listed below are also found at the aforementioned web page; however, we also include here links to some Sandy-specific information.

DRBC advises everyone to monitor the storm's progress closely and to take steps to ensure their personal safety. FEMA offers the following guidance: (1) stay informed of the latest forecast; (2) know your evacuation plan; (3) have your emergency kit ready, and (4) review and practice your family's emergency plan. More information is available at www.fema.gov.

Please pay special attention to the NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) river rise forecast pages, which will be updated routinely during the storm and beyond and show current river stages as well as forecasted river rises. Be sure to refresh often as the forecasts are updated more frequently during potential flooding events. Sandy's track and NWS forecasts are subject to change, so it is important to keep up to date on the most current information that is available. Please be alert for rising water levels and follow instructions of emergency personnel. A NOAA weather radio is also a great source of information in case of power outages that would impact obtaining information from TV or online.

October 2012 Bacterial Data from the Delaware Estuary Boat Run

24 Oct 2012

Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Tidal Delaware - July 2012 Report (pdf 1.5 MB)

08 Sep 2012

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day: Saturday, September 29, 2012

06 Sep 2012

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, September 29, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to return unwanted or expired prescription drugs, thereby reducing pollutant loadings into our waterways.

Visit http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/ or call 1-800-882-9539 for more information, including the collection site locator database.

To learn how to dispose of drugs safely, visit http://water.epa.gov/scitech/swguidance/ppcp/upload/ppcpflyer.pdf.

National Hurricane Center

28 Aug 2012

DRBC and PADEP to Hold Joint Public Hearing Regarding Exelon's Limerick Generating Station

31 Jul 2012

For Immediate Release

July 31, 2012

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) will hold a joint public hearing on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 regarding applications filed with both agencies for the Exelon Generation Company, LLC Limerick Generating Station (LGS), located in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pa.

The public hearing will be held from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Sunny Brook Ballroom, 50 Sunny Brook Rd., Pottstown, Pa. An information session will precede the hearing from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. to give the public an opportunity to learn about the applications from staff of both agencies. In order to ensure that those who wish to provide oral testimony have an opportunity to do so, the hearing will be conducted in accordance with a set of procedures that can be accessed from the home page of the Commission's web site, www.drbc.net. Notably, registration to testify will not be accepted in advance, except for elected government officials who may do so by calling Paula Schmitt at (609) 883-9500 ext. 224 prior to 5 p.m. on August 27, 2012. Additionally, each speaker will be allotted no more than three minutes. Click here to view the hearing rules and guidelines (pdf 101 KB).

Written comments will be accepted by both agencies until 5 p.m. on October 27, 2012; comments must be addressed separately to each agency. Neither agency can accept comments by telephone or voice mail.

The DRBC's draft docket consolidates within a single approval (a) all conditions relating to the surface water withdrawals required to meet consumptive and non-consumptive needs at LGS and (b) the facility's surface water discharge to the Schuylkill River. The draft docket would provide for an increase in the maximum daily withdrawal from the Schuylkill River and also would establish a maximum monthly withdrawal limit. The water withdrawals would continue to be made primarily from the Schuylkill River. During periods of low flow in the Schuylkill, consumptive cooling water needs would continue to be met by diversions from various sources in the Schuylkill and Delaware river watersheds.

The draft docket would provide long-term authorization for water withdrawal augmentation operations based upon experience gained from the multi-year LGS Water Supply Modification Demonstration Project and the Wadesville Mine Pool Withdrawal and Streamflow Augmentation Demonstration Project. Originally intended to run four years, the demonstration projects were extended annually between 2008 and 2011 to provide more time for data collection and for DRBC to consolidate its 12 prior approvals into a single docket. Each annual extension was the subject of a public hearing. In addition, DRBC conducted two public meetings each year throughout the multi-year demonstration to review and discuss the most recent data and the totality of the demonstration to date. The proposed DRBC docket would have a term of five years, running concurrently with the PADEP permit.

Also proposed in the draft docket are (a) continuation of the Restoration and Monitoring Fund created at the inception of the demonstration projects and (b) continuation of previously approved modifications to river and stream monitoring requirements. The complete DRBC draft docket, as well as extensive archived information on the demonstration projects and the full text of the Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Hearing, is available at www.drbc.net.

PADEP is proposing a renewal of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the facility, which would regulate the continued discharge by LGS of cooling tower blowdown, treated process wastewater, and stormwater to the Schuylkill River and Possum Hollow Run through various outfalls. The NPDES permit renewal application, draft permit No. PA0051926, and related documents can be inspected by appointment at the PADEP Southeast Regional Office, 2 E. Main St., Norristown, Pa. To schedule an appointment, contact the Record Management Section at (484) 250-5910. The PADEP documents are also available at the Limerick and East Coventry township buildings, 646 West Ridge Pike, Limerick, Pa. and 855 Ellis Woods Road, Pottstown, Pa., respectively.

Written comments on the draft docket approval may be submitted to DRBC staff at the hearing or sent as follows: via email to Paula.Schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us or in hard copy to the attention of the Commission Secretary, DRBC, either by fax to (609) 883-9522; U.S. Mail to P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360; or delivery service to 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Regardless of the method of submission, comments should include the name, affiliation (if any), and address of the commenter and the subject line, "Public Comment - Exelon LGS Docket."

Written comments on the draft NPDES permit may be submitted to PADEP at the hearing or sent to the attention of Ms. Jenifer Fields via email at jefields@pa.gov; by fax to (484) 250-5971; or by U.S. mail or delivery service to DEP, Southeast Regional Office, Clean Water Program, 2 E. Main Street, Norristown, PA 19401. All comments should include the name, affiliation, and address of the commenter and the subject line "Public Comment - Exelon Limerick Generating Station Docket."

Individuals in need of an accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act who wish to attend the hearing should contact Deborah Fries at (484) 250-5808 or by email at defries@pa.gov. or may use the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) at 711 to discuss their needs.

PADEP is responsible for administering Pennsylvania's environmental laws and regulations, and partners with individuals, organizations, governments, and businesses to protect Pennsylvania's air, land, and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us
Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Deborah Fries, PADEP, 484-250-5808, defries@pa.gov

***

News Release: DRBC and PADEP to Hold Joint Public Hearing Regarding Exelon's Limerick Generating Station

31 Jul 2012

DRBC Seeks Partner Input on Watershed Projects for Annual Basin Plan Implementation Report

26 Jul 2012

DRBC staff are currently researching and compiling the 8^th Annual Basin Plan Implementation Report. We are pleased that despite these challenging economic times, our river basin partners are diligently implementing projects that move the Goals of the Water Resources Plan for the Delaware River Basin (Basin Plan) forward. There are many notable accomplishments to report, and we are seeking input about projects supporting the Basin Plan goals from August 2011 to the present.

This year, in addition to seeking information about start-up initiatives, completed projects, significant accomplishments, or findings from research, DRBC is pursuing information about unique funding mechanisms for water resource planning and implementation of existing initiatives.

If you are aware of an organization that has made a significant contribution towards these goals, please contact Pamela V'Combe, DRBC Watershed Planner, by email at pvcombe@drbc.state.nj.us or by phone at (609) 883-9500 x226. The deadline for submittals is August 17, 2012.

For additional details on the Basin Plan and to download the letter sent to river basin partners, please see the links in the box to the right.

DRBC 2010 Annual Report

25 Jun 2012

Registrations Still Being Accepted for Delaware River Sojourn

14 Jun 2012

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2012

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the 18th Annual Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from Sunday, June 24 through Saturday, June 30. The early bird registration discount of $10/day has been extended for individuals registering by June 22.

The Delaware Sojourn is a guided paddling, learning, and camping adventure on and along the "Wild and Scenic" Delaware River. Participants may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice.

The cost for Sojourners who register by June 22 is $80 per day for participants 16 and older and $50 per day for ages 15 and under. An additional one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event. Add $10 to the daily rates for registrations made after June 22.

Split into daily trips ranging from eight to 15 miles, a total of nearly 75 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled. From the pristine wilds of the upper section, through the tranquility of the Delaware Water Gap, to the suburban lower Delaware and freshwater tidal estuary, the Sojourn offers a full experience of the river to paddlers of all skill levels.

The theme of the 2012 Sojourn is Adventures on the Delaware. "This year's itinerary will allow participants to paddle the class I/II rapids of Skinners Falls (on June 25) and Foul Rift (on June 27), the most challenging on the river, under the supervision of our experienced safety team," said Rich Egan, chair of the 2012 steering committee. "The adventure continues as we highlight various activities one can do on and along the Delaware, such as birdwatching, hiking local trails, swimming, and camping," Egan continued.

Other notable programs this year include a presentation and book-signing by author Gary Letcher (A Paddler's Guide to the Delaware River) on the evening of June 26 and a visit to the Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Pa. on the evening of June 28.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and life jacket), shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and overnight camping sites. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

The Delaware River was named Pennsylvania's River of the Year in 2011 and received a grant to hold activities and events geared towards connecting individuals to the river. A small portion of that funding remains and is being used in 2012 to support adult first-time paddler discounts and reduced children's fees, which are $10 less this year than in 2011. The Delaware Sojourn also received a grant from the Pa. Organization for Watersheds and Rivers to further help subsidize the 2012 event.

Additional financial assistance for the 2012 Sojourn was provided by corporate donor ShopRite, local business donors Hancock House Hotel, LLC (Hancock, N.Y.) and Café Devine (Callicoon, N.Y.), as well as several individual donors. The Sojourn is also appreciative of the generosity of its many partners who are providing livery and shuttle service, camping locations, meals, the 2012 T-shirt design, and programs this year.

Registration details, daily plans, event guidelines, listing of partners, and more is available on the Sojourn web site at http://www.delawareriversojourn.org/. Individuals can register online with PayPal until the day before they wish to paddle or they can mail in the downloadable registration form with payment; mail-in registrations must be received by June 22. A limited number of "walk-in" registrants will be accepted on the morning of each Sojourn day, provided that space is still available on the trip.

Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, at (646) 205-2724 or info@riversojourn.com.

By getting individuals out on the river to experience it first-hand, the Delaware Sojourn aims to promote stewardship of the Delaware River Watershed and its resources. The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers. This year's committee is chaired by Rich Egan, volunteer with the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

18th Annual Delaware River Sojourn: June 24-30

06 Jun 2012

FFMP Renewed for One-Year (Link to the Delaware River Master's Web Site)

05 Jun 2012

Didymo, aka "Rock Snot," Discovered in the Non-Tidal Delaware River

31 May 2012

What is Didymo?

Didymosphenia geminata (also known as Didymo or "Rock Snot") is an invasive, aquatic alga that can form extensive mats in streams, rivers, lakes, and other freshwater systems. Its blooms have been most problematic in cold streams and rivers, particularly low-nutrient trout waters, where Didymo and its long stalks can blanket the streambed, rock surfaces, and aquatic plants and thus stifle the productivity of these streams. But, to the surprise of many scientists, this species may be expanding its range into warmer environments and into higher-nutrient waters.

A single-celled type of algae in the group known as diatoms, Didymo is highly unusual because it forms long, stalked material in low nutrient waterways. These branched stalks are brown or beige in color, sometimes with white strands that resemble tissue or toilet paper. While it looks slimy, Didymo actually feels like wet wool or wet cotton. And it is the long growths of stalks, rather than the algal cells themselves, that are the problem.

It has also been found in waters that are more nutrient-rich, but it has a different appearance. The algae itself is still the same brown-beige color, but it doesn't form long stalks or thick mats, making detection of Didymo more difficult. In these higher nutrient waters, the Didymo stalks are microscopic in length, giving Didymo a more typical appearance of a brown, algal-covered rock.

Where has it been found?

The stalk-forming variety of Didymo has been found in the river since 2007, when high-density blooms with heavy stalked material were found in the East Branch and West Branch Delaware River and the mainstem Delaware River as far downstream as Callicoon, N.Y. Since 2007, low concentrations have been found during warmer summer months from around Hancock, N.Y., downstream to the area around Dingmans Ferry, Pa. During the same time period, high-density patches were frequently observed in the cold-water zones of the East and West branches of the Delaware River, as well as in the colder zones of the upper main stem river.

In April 2012, Dr. Erik Silldorff, an aquatic biologist with the commission, discovered large, stalked Didymo blooms in the Delaware River over a 40-mile stretch extending from the area near the confluence with the Lackawaxen River downstream to the vicinity of Dingmans Ferry Bridge. This section of river includes portions of two National Park units: the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (UPDE) and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (DEWA).

Additional surveys in April showed that thick mats of Didymo extended north of the area discovered by Silldorff to Callicoon, N.Y., as well as from Long Eddy, N.Y. upstream into the East and West branches of the Delaware River north of Hancock, N.Y.

Surveys completed in May 2012 discovered both varieties of Didymo south from DEWA all the way to Trenton, N.J. This section of river is known as the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River. Above the Delaware's confluence with the Lehigh River in Easton, Pa., thick mats of stalked Didymo were found. Below the confluence with the Lehigh, the short-stalked variety of Didymo covered rock surfaces.

In all, Didymo had extended throughout the non-tidal portion of the Delaware River. It was also found in the Big Flat Brook, a N.J. tributary in DEWA, near its confluence with the Delaware River.

Why is there concern?

While Didymo is not a public health hazard, there is great ecological concern with discovering the invasive alga to this extent and in these concentrations. Thick mats of Didymo can crowd out or smother more biologically valuable algae growing on the riverbed, thereby significantly altering the physical and biological conditions within a stream.

Additionally, Didymo is easily spread, and the chance of it hitchhiking its way into nearby streams or rivers that currently lack this unwanted invader is cause for alarm. Because there are many cold, low-nutrient streams in the Delaware Basin and surrounding areas, the risks may be greater for these persistently cold trout streams where Didymo could bloom throughout the summer months. Keeping Didymo out of such streams is critically important.

What can be done?

Once Didymo is found in a body of water, there is no known way to fully eradicate it.

Didymo can spread naturally as its stalks lengthen and shred off into the waterbody, traveling downstream and reattaching to other rock surfaces and streambed material.

However, the main culprit for spreading Didymo is humans, through the use of recreational equipment: fishing gear (particularly felt-soled boots), kayaks, boats, life jackets, neoprene wet suits, etc.

The most important thing is containment - preventing its spread to other water bodies that do not currently have Didymo. This is done by educating the public to decontaminate their gear after use in a waterbody where Didymo is known to exist or encourage, when feasible, restricting equipment use to a single waterway. See below for links to information on how to properly clean your gear.

Steps Taken and Currently Ongoing

DRBC staff worked with scientists from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and the National Park Service (NPS) to alert the public and identify appropriate next steps. A press conference was held and news releases were issued to discuss the presence of Didymo and how best to restrict its spread to other waterbodies.

Coordinated sampling efforts by the agencies to monitor Didymo's presence and densities at various location and the extent of its spread were also undertaken throughout the late spring and summer. Samples collected were sent to the laboratory at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia for identification. It was expected that as the Delaware River warmed, Didymo would begin to die-off throughout most of the river, with the likelihood that it would still exist in the colder temperature regions where it had been found in previous years.

DRBC's focus was sampling the Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River. As of June 2012, DRBC staff did not observe live Didymo in its samples from this section of the river; however, NPS scientists with UPDE and DEWA continued to find Didymo in samples collected from the mainstem and west branch of the Delaware River throughout the remainder of the summer.

DRBC received an award from Pennsylvania Sea Grant in August 2012 to help delineate the threats from the expanding Didymo invasion and provide the global community of scientists with a better understanding of how nutrients may impact the alga's morphology (long-stalk vs. short-stalk). Surveys began in February 2013, and DRBC will also transplant colonized rocks to investigate the impact of different water chemistry on stalk morphology.

Further coordination and discussions about monitoring plans are underway.

In Memoriam: Richard 'Dick' Rhodes

30 May 2012

The Delaware River Basin lost a true river and safety steward with the passing of Richard 'Dick' Rhodes on April 17, 2012.

Information about his life celebration scheduled for June 8, 2012 and details on how to support the Richard Rhodes River Rescue Scholarship Fund can be found at http://nationalcanoesafetypatrol.com/.

Richard 'Dick' Rhodes: A River Patrolman Passes on His Paddle - a nice tribute to Dick by The River Reporter's Sandy Long

Dick was a founding member of the National Canoe Safety Patrol, volunteer with the National Park Service, and member of the Delaware River Sojourn steering committee. He will be forever missed, but never forgotten.

DRBC FY13 Current Expense and Capital Budgets (Adopted May 10, 2012)

22 May 2012

National Safe Boating Week: May 19-25, 2012

21 May 2012

Registration Open For 2012 Delaware River Sojourn: June 24-30

03 May 2012

For Immediate Release

May 3, 2012

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Early bird savings are available for participants registering by June 15 for the 18th Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 24-30, 2012.

"This year's theme, Adventures on the Delaware, will help highlight the fun one can have on and along the Delaware River, for example, paddling sections with rapids and hiking local trails," said Richard Egan, chair of the 2012 steering committee.

Close to 75 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2012, split into daily trips ranging from eight to 15 miles. In brief, the sojourn will include the following stretches:

Sunday, June 24: Callicoon Access (Pa.) to Milanville (Pa.)
Monday, June 25: Milanville to Ten Mile River Access (N.Y.)
Tuesday, June 26: Smithfield Beach Access (Pa.) to Driftstone on the Delaware Campground (Pa.)
Wednesday, June 27: Driftstone on the Delaware Campground to Martins Creek Access (Pa.)
Thursday, June 28: Martins Creek Access to Easton's Scott Park Access (Pa.)
Friday, June 29: Easton's Scott Park Access to Riegelsville (N.J.)
Saturday, June 30: Bristol (Pa.) to Palmyra Cove Nature Park (N.J)

The cost for sojourners who register by June 15 is $80 per day for adults and $50 per day for children (ages 15 and under). There is an additional one-time insurance fee of $5 per person for this event sanctioned by the American Canoe Association (ACA), except for current ACA members. Further discount opportunities are available on a first-come, first-served basis for adult paddlers new to the Delaware River Sojourn. Add $10 to the daily rates for registrations made after June 15.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and PFD), shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

The Delaware River had the distinction of being Pa.'s River of the Year in 2011 and received a grant to hold activities and events geared towards connecting individuals to the river. A small portion of that funding remains and is being used in 2012 to support adult first-time paddler discounts and reduced children's fees, which are $10 less this year than in 2011. The Delaware Sojourn also received a grant from the Pa. Organization for Watersheds and Rivers to further help subsidize the 2012 event.

Space is limited, so please register early! Additional information, including registration details, itinerary overview, sojourn guidelines, photos, and more, is available at http://www.delawareriversojourn.org/. We are again offering the ability to register online using Paypal. Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch at (646) 205-2724 or info@riversojourn.com.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers, all of whom work and/or live within the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is chaired by a volunteer with the National Park Service's Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Registration Open for 2012 Delaware River Sojourn: June 24-30

03 May 2012

Recreation Maps for the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers Available for Purchase

01 May 2012

For Immediate Release

May 1, 2012

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) welcomes in the 2012 recreational paddling and boating season with a reminder that the Delaware River and Schuylkill River recreation maps are available for purchase from the commission.

The Delaware River map set is $25. The price of the Schuylkill River map set has been reduced from $15 to $10. Purchase both sets together for $30, a savings of $5. All prices include shipping.

Published in 2007, the 10-section, waterproofed Delaware River recreation map set covers the river's east and west branches prior to their confluence at Hancock, N.Y., the entire 200 mile, non-tidal reach of the river from Hancock to Trenton, N.J., and an additional 25 miles of the tidal river from Trenton to just south of the Betsy Ross Bridge (which connects Northeast Philadelphia, Pa. and Pennsauken, N.J.). The GIS-based maps depict river channel locations and depths, access areas, places of interest, stream miles and reference points, and provide a detailed classification of streamflow characteristics in accordance with the International Canoe Federation's Scale of River Difficulty.

The Schuylkill River recreation maps, a 10-section set published in 2003, cover portions of the Little Schuylkill River, West Branch Schuylkill River, and the main stem Schuylkill River from Port Clinton to the Delaware River in southeastern Pennsylvania. Full-color and waterproof, these river maps identify public access areas, International Canoe Federation/American Whitewater Affiliation-designated streamflow characteristics, areas of caution, dams and pools, and recreation opportunities.

The popular map sets are intended to serve as a general guide in exploring the many recreational activities offered on the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. While these maps show updated river depths and rapids' classifications, it is important to remember that actual river conditions may vary. DRBC encourages paddlers to be aware of current weather and river conditions and always wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

For information on how to order the recreation maps, please click here or call (609) 883-9500. A portion of the proceeds will help fund the commission's educational/outreach programs and activities.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

Recreation Maps for the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers Available for Purchase

01 May 2012

National Drinking Water Week: May 6-12, 2012

30 Apr 2012

Schuylkill Action Network's (SAN) Drinking Water Scholastic Awards:

In celebration of National Drinking Water Week, SAN will be presenting its annual Drinking Water Scholastic Awards to recipients at the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association in Ambler, Pa. on May 9. The awards will be presented to three schools and one college in the Schuylkill River Watershed for developing educational environmental projects that help to protect sources of drinking water. Click here for more details.

DRBC Deputy Director Robert Tudor Receives Samuel S. Baxter Memorial Award

27 Apr 2012

Large Blooms of Didymo, aka “Rock Snot,” Discovered in the Delaware River

24 Apr 2012

For Immediate Release

April 24, 2012

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that a staff scientist last week found extensive mats of the aquatic alga Didymosphenia geminata (also known as Didymo or "Rock Snot"), an invasive species, in the Delaware River.

Dr. Erik Silldorff, an aquatic biologist with the commission, on April 18, 2012, discovered large Didymo blooms in the Delaware River over a 40-mile stretch extending from the area near the confluence with the Lackawaxen River (river mile 279) downstream to the vicinity of Dingmans Ferry Bridge (river mile 239). This section of river includes portions of two National Park units: the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

"We knew Didymo occurred in the river," Dr. Silldorff said, "but the spatial extent and intensity of this bloom is alarming given its potentially detrimental effect on ecosystems and the ease in which it can be spread to nearby tributaries."

Didymo covers rock surfaces in cold, moderate to fast flowing water. Since 2007, Didymo has been found at low concentrations during the summer months from around Hancock, N.Y., downstream to the area around Dingmans Ferry, Pa., with high-density patches frequently observed in the cold-water zones of the East and West branches of the Delaware River, as well as in the colder zones of the upper main stem river.

Following the recent discovery, scientists with the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection over this past week independently documented Didymo blooms extending north of the area discovered by Silldorff to Callicoon, N.Y. (river mile 303) as well as from Long Eddy, N.Y. (river mile 315) upstream into the East and West branches of the Delaware River (upstream of river mile 330). Each biologist noted that the intensity was variable, with some areas having dense coverage, while other sites or locations only having relatively small patches. Regardless, these findings indicate that the blooms of Didymo now extend across more than 100 miles of river.

Additionally, Didymo can easily attach to any fishing equipment, especially felt-soled boots, and the chance of it hitchhiking its way into nearby streams or rivers that currently lack this unwanted invader is cause for alarm. The risk is compounded by the bloom's timing with the beginning of trout season, when anglers flock to the river in large numbers. This spring's warm weather and low flows are bringing out even more fishing enthusiasts, further amplifying the concern for spread.

DRBC staff is coordinating with scientists from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and the National Park Service to quickly alert the public and identify appropriate next steps. Samples already collected were sent to the laboratory at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia where Academy scientists confirmed the identification of Didymo. Follow-up surveys to determine the actual downstream extent of the bloom are planned once river conditions improve after the weekend's rains.

For more details, including additional information on Didymo and how to prevent its spread by properly cleaning equipment before entering another stream or river, please visit www.drbc.net (see below).

***

Contacts: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us
Erik Silldorff, DRBC Aquatic Biologist, 609-883-9500 ext. 234, erik.silldorff@drbc.state.nj.us

***

Editor's Note: The DRBC uses a stream location and identification system based on river mileage. River mile zero is located at the mouth of the Delaware Bay (i.e., where the bay meets the Atlantic Ocean) at the intersection of a line between the Cape May Light (N.J.) and the tip of Cape Henlopen (Del.). As one moves upstream, river mile 330 is the "head" (or beginning) of the main stem Delaware River, where the East Branch of the Delaware meets the West Branch near the town of Hancock, N.Y. Details can be found at http://www.nj.gov/drbc/basin/river.

Large Blooms of Didymo, aka "Rock Snot," Discovered in the Delaware River

24 Apr 2012

May 1, 2012 Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC) Meeting Canceled

22 Apr 2012

The Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC) Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 1, 2012 has been canceled. No new date has been set.

2012 Delaware River and Bay Water Quality Assessment Report (pdf 1.7 MB)

03 Apr 2012

Shortnose Sturgeon in the Lower Delaware River

22 Mar 2012

The Shortnose sturgeon have begun their annual spawning run in the lower Delaware River. Large numbers have been spotted this spring, which is encouraging given that the Shortnose sturgeon are an endangered species.

For additional information on the Shortnose sturgeon, please visit the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service web page.

Background Paper on Equitable Apportionment of DRBC's Current Expense Budget (pdf 526 KB)

20 Mar 2012

National Weather Service Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 12-16, 2012

08 Mar 2012

World Water Day - Thursday, March 22, 2012

07 Mar 2012

Delaware River & Bay Blitz: Dash for the Trash - March 10-18, 2012 (pdf 88 KB)

02 Mar 2012

Presentation from the 2/21/12 Wadesville 2011 Annual Update Meeting (pdf 5.5 MB)

21 Feb 2012

DRBC Unveils New Web Site

01 Feb 2012

For Immediate Release

February 1, 2012

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is pleased to announce that it has recently updated its web site, www.drbc.net, with a new look and organizational layout.

"We are extremely excited about the new web site," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "The commission's old site housed copious amounts of information, but navigating it was sometimes a challenge. The goal of this redesign was to continue to be a great resource for the public, but with a fresh look and enhanced functionality," she continued.

The upgrade was performed by the New Jersey Office of Information Technology's (NJOIT) Creative Services Unit. DRBC's web site continues to be hosted by New Jersey.

"The commission's communications staff worked closely with DRBC colleagues and NJOIT partners, suggesting design concepts and creating the new site's architecture, as well as organizing and adding content to the new site," Collier said. "We want to thank the NJOIT staff working on this project for their expertise, hard work, and patience."

Along with improved navigation within the site, the redesign also provides the commission with additional outreach capabilities to help the public stay connected with DRBC. Individuals may sign up to receive periodic electronic updates on a list of topics that can be expanded over time. The public also can subscribe to a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed to be directly notified when news releases and other timely items are posted on the web site. These new features will help streamline information dissemination, allowing for increased sharing of DRBC news, programs, and activities. Other communication tools will be explored in the coming months.

***

Contacts: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Unveils New Web Site

01 Feb 2012

Water Charges Advisory Committee Information

24 Jan 2012

Flood Analysis Model Independent External Peer Review

24 Jan 2012

Hurricane Irene & TS Lee Flood Summary (pdf 2.2 MB)

24 Jan 2012

DRBC Postpones 11/21/2011 Natural Gas Special Meeting (New Date Still To Be Determined)

24 Jan 2012

Water System Audits and Water Loss Control

24 Jan 2012

DRBC Postpones November 21 Special Meeting

18 Nov 2011

For Immediate Release

November 18, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the special meeting scheduled for Nov. 21 to consider draft natural gas development regulations has been postponed to allow additional time for review by the five commission members.

No additional information is available at this time.

Please visit the commission's web site at www.drbc.net for updates as they become available.

***

Contacts: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

Delaware River Event Honors Pennsylvania's "River Of The Year," DRBC's 50th Anniversary, And Shawnee Inn's 100th Birthday

02 Nov 2011

For Immediate Release

November 2, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), along with the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, the Pennsylvania 2011 Delaware River of the Year Steering Committee, and The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, recently hosted the “Delaware River Celebration” on Oct. 19.

Situated along the banks of the wild and scenic Delaware River in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Shawnee Inn was the ideal location for this event. Over 100 people from government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector participated in the day’s activities, which were held to honor the Delaware – Pa.’s 2011 River of the Year – as well as DRBC’s 50th and the Inn’s 100th anniversary milestones.

The afternoon consisted of an informational forum, split into two panel discussions: one focused on river basin commissions and water management and one on river-based recreation.

The river basin commission panel was moderated by Dr. Jeffrey Featherstone, Director, Center for Sustainable Communities - Temple University. Panelists were Robert (Bo) Abrams, Esq., Florida A&M University College of Law; Alexandria Dapolito Dunn, Esq., Executive Director and General Counsel, Association of Clean Water Administrators; and Dr. Delli Priscoli, Senior Advisor, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The river-based recreation panel was moderated by Carl Wilgus, President and CEO, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. Panelists were Jerry Kauffman, Project Director, Water Resources Agency - University of Delaware; John Donahue, Superintendent, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; Celeste Tracy, Board Member and Coordinator for Land and Water Trail Projects, Delaware River Greenway Partnership; and Charlene Trotter, Executive Director, Tri-State Chamber of Commerce. The presentations given by members of both panels can be viewed at www.drbc.net.

Prior to dinner, attendees mingled and participated in a raffle/auction for various locally donated items. All proceeds of the raffle/auction benefited the Delaware River Sojourn, an annual paddling trip that connects individuals to and educates them about the river and its environs.

The day culminated with dinner and included remarks from DRBC’s current chair, federal commissioner Lt. Col. Philip M. Secrist III, and DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier. “It is because of the cooperative effort of all of the groups represented here today towards the goal of a cleaner, healthier river system that the Delaware is Pennsylvania’s 2011 River of the Year,” Collier observed. “It is fitting that this is also DRBC’s 50th anniversary, a time to celebrate all that has been accomplished and look ahead to the future.”

The annual River of the Year program helps raise awareness about the importance of rivers, their conservation needs, and their recreational and economic impact on watershed communities. Since 1983, the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Pa. Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) have chosen a Commonwealth river for this honor. The Delaware River was selected over five other finalists in an online voting contest to win the designation in early 2011. Additional information can be viewed at www.riveroftheyear.com.

A steering committee, chaired by DRBC’s Kate O’Hara, has been meeting since January to coordinate events throughout the watershed to celebrate this distinction. DCNR provided grant money to help support these activities and also funded the printing of commemorative River of the Year posters. The posters, printed as a four-part series, each feature an image from a section of the main stem Delaware River: the upper, middle, and lower non-tidal river, as well as the river’s tidewaters, or estuary.

Several Delaware River Basin Pennsylvania Legislators have agreed to help distribute the free posters by making them available for pickup at their district offices: Representatives Tina Davis, Gary Day, Joe Emrick, Robert Godshall, Kate Harper, Thomas Murt, and Marguerite Quinn. Their willingness to help disseminate the posters to members of their communities is much appreciated. The posters will be available in their offices after Nov. 10; contact information is included as an attachment to this release.

Area photographers and a local artist donated photos and artwork to grace the posters, and the steering committee thanks them for their generosity and assistance with this project.

A photograph by David B. Soete highlighting the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River at Point Mountain in Hancock, N.Y. represents the upper Delaware region. The poster for the middle Delaware, which flows through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, features a photograph titled “Early Morning at Dingmans Campground” by Andy Smith. Artist Todd Stone provided a painting titled “From the Palisades II” for the lower non-tidal Delaware poster. The tidal Delaware poster’s photo, “Paddling into Philadelphia,” was a second contribution by Andy Smith and showcases the city’s skyline.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. Its five ex-officio members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government. Oct. 27, 2011 marked the commission’s official 50th anniversary, the date when concurrent compact legislation ratified by the four states and the U.S. Congress became law in 1961. President John F. Kennedy and several basin state governors participated in a ceremonial signing of the compact at The White House on Nov. 2, 1961, fifty years ago today. Visit the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net for more information.

Attachment –
Delaware River Basin Pennsylvania Legislators Contact Information for the River of the Year Posters (listed alphabetically)
Posters will be available after November 10, 2011

Representative Tina Davis, 141st Legislative District
3611 Green Lane
Levittown, PA 19057
(215) 943-8669

Representative Gary Day, 187th Legislative District
6299 Rt. 309, Suite 302
New Tripoli, PA 18066
(610) 760-7082

Representative Joe Emrick, 137th Legislative District
5 Mount Bethel Plaza
Mount Bethel, PA 18343
(570) 897-0401

Representative Robert Godshall, 53rd Legislative District
1702 Cowpath Rd.
Hatfield, PA 19440
(215) 368-3500

Representative Kate Harper, 61st Legislative District
1515 DeKalb Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 277-3230

Representative Thomas Murt, 152nd Legislative District
19 South York Rd.
Hatboro, PA 19040
(215) 674-3755

Representative Marguerite Quinn, 143rd Legislative District
1032 N. Easton Rd.
Doylestown, PA 18902
(215) 489-2126

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Postpones Vote On Draft Natural Gas Regulations

07 Oct 2011

For Immediate Release

October 7, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the previously scheduled October 21, 2011 special meeting for the commissioners to consider draft natural gas development regulations has been postponed.

The rescheduled special meeting will take place on November 21, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, in Trenton, N.J. The doors to this public meeting will open at 9:30 a.m. A presentation summarizing the proposed regulations will be provided prior to the vote by the commissioners. The November 21 meeting will not include a hearing to accept comments from the public prior to the anticipated vote.

The previously announced October 21 meeting date is being delayed for a month since additional time is necessary to complete the ongoing process and to allow for an opportunity to publish the modified draft regulations on the DRBC web site (www.drbc.net) two weeks in advance of the expected vote by the commissioners. This web posting, planned for November 7, will be for informational purposes only since comments will not be accepted.

The purpose of the proposed regulations is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the development and operation of natural gas projects. The commission received approximately 69,000 submissions commenting on the draft natural gas development regulations that were originally published on December 9, 2010. Six public hearing sessions were held at three locations in February 2011 to receive oral testimony, and written comments were accepted until April 15, 2011, which was an extension from the original March 16 deadline. The commissioners and staff have been reviewing the submissions and considering how the draft rulemaking should be modified based on the public input.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

Additional information can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Will Not Act On Draft Natural Gas Regulations At September 21 Meeting

06 Sep 2011

For Immediate Release

September 6, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that draft natural gas development regulations will not be on the September 21, 2011 meeting agenda for consideration by the commissioners.

The DRBC has scheduled a special meeting on October 21, 2011 to consider adoption of the regulations. This meeting, open to the public, will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, in Trenton, N.J.

The purpose of the proposed regulations is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the development and operation of natural gas projects. The commission received approximately 69,000 submissions on the draft natural gas development regulations that were originally published on December 9, 2010. Six public hearing sessions were held at three locations in February 2011 to receive oral testimony, and written comments were accepted until April 15, 2011, which was an extension from the original March 16 deadline. The commissioners and staff have been reviewing the submissions and considering how the draft rulemaking should be modified based on the public input. The October 21 meeting will not include a public hearing.

Additional information can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

Registrations Still Being Accepted For Delaware River Sojourn

07 Jun 2011

For Immediate Release

June 7, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the 17th annual Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from Saturday, June 18 through Saturday, June 25. Furthermore, early bird registration savings of $10/day has been extended for individuals registering by June 12.

The Delaware Sojourn is a guided paddling, learning, and camping adventure on and along the wild and scenic Delaware River. Participants may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice.

Split into daily trips ranging from nine to fourteen miles, close to 85 miles will be paddled, including a 10-mile journey on the Lackawaxen River, a tributary to the Delaware River. From the pristine wilds of the upper section, through the tranquility of the Delaware Water Gap, to the suburban lower section and transition to the tidewaters, the Sojourn offers a full experience of the river to paddlers of all skill levels.

This year's theme of River of Life will focus programming on the river’s ecology and the vast variety of life that the river sustains. Educational topics include water quality monitoring, freshwater mussels, fly fishing, Native American storytelling, paleontology, and archaeology. Also featured will be recognition of individuals and organizations that are working to protect the river and its environs for future generations, for example, The Lackawaxen River Conservancy, the Brodhead Watershed Association, the N.J. Green Acres Program, and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

In 2011, the Delaware has the distinction of being Pennsylvania’s River of the Year. This title has been bestowed on a Commonwealth river annually since 1983 and helps raise awareness about the importance of rivers, their conservation needs, and their recreational and economic impact on watershed communities. Sojourn programming will also highlight this honorary designation.

The cost for Sojourners who register by June 12 is $80 per day for participants 16 and older and $60 per day for ages 15 and under. An additional one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event. Registration fees cover the guided river trip, kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and overnight camping sites. Add $10 to the rates for registrations made after June 12.

Additional information, including registration details, daily plans, event guidelines, and more, is available on the sojourn web site www.delawareriversojourn.org. Individuals can register online with PayPal until the day before they wish to paddle or they can mail in the downloadable registration form with payment; mail-in registrations must be received by June 17. A limited number of “walk-in” registrants will be accepted on the morning of each sojourn day, provided that space is still available on the trip.

Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, at (646) 205-2724 or info@riversojourn.com.

The Delaware River Sojourn aims to promote stewardship of the Delaware River Watershed and its resources. The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers. This year's committee is co-chaired by Rich Egan, volunteer with the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and Kate O'Hara of the Delaware River Basin Commission.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Schedules Another Public Hearing On XTO Energy's Proposed Water Withdrawal

18 May 2011

For Immediate Release

May 18, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) – Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that a second hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 to give the public another opportunity to provide feedback on XTO Energy’s proposed water withdrawal draft docket. Written comments on this proposal must be received on or before June 1.

The public hearing will take place at the Deposit High School Auditorium, 171 Second Street, Deposit, N.Y. from 4:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. An informational meeting, which will open with a brief overview presentation on the draft docket by commission staff to be followed with an informal question and answer period, will be held at 3:45 p.m. for the hour preceding the hearing.

Registration for those who wish to testify at the hearing will begin at 3:30 p.m. when the doors open. There will be no inside access to the school building prior to 3:30 p.m. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Because a large number of individuals are expected to register to speak, commenters will be limited to two minutes each. It is estimated that approximately 120 speakers can be heard within the allotted time period. Oral testimony may be supplemented with written comments submitted at the hearing or provided to the commission on or before June 1. Oral and written comments will receive the same consideration by the commissioners prior to any action on the proposal.

Government representatives who wish to comment in their official capacities may present their two-minute oral testimony at the beginning of the hearing, provided that they register in advance by phoning Paula Schmitt at (609) 883-9500 x224 before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31.

During the public hearing held at the commission’s May 11, 2011 business meeting, 39 persons testified on the draft XTO docket. Many of these commenters requested that another hearing be held in the vicinity of the proposed water withdrawal and that the written comment period be extended. The commissioners granted both requests, announcing that the comment period on the draft docket will remain open until the close of a second public hearing to be held in the vicinity of Broome County, N.Y. To date, the DRBC has received more than 8,700 comments on the draft docket.

XTO Energy is requesting to withdraw up to 250,000 gallons per day of surface water from Oquaga Creek in the Town of Sanford in Broome County to support the company’s planned natural gas exploration and production activities within the Delaware River Basin in Broome and Delaware counties in N.Y. Oquaga Creek drains to the West Branch Delaware River.

The draft docket prepared by DRBC staff in response to XTO Energy’s application stipulates that even if the docket is issued, the company cannot withdraw any water at the site unless and until it receives separate approvals from DRBC and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for those natural gas wells intended to receive the water.

Written comments on the proposed draft docket must include “XTO Energy” in the subject line. Written comments may be submitted by hand at the June 1 hearing; by e-mail to Paula.Schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us; by U.S. Mail to Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360; or by private delivery service or hand delivery to Commission Secretary, DRBC, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter. All written comments must be received on or before June 1, 2011. The draft XTO Energy water withdrawal docket can be viewed on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The five commission members are the Governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government. 2011 marks the commission’s 50th anniversary.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

Register Early, Save For 17th Annual Delaware River Sojourn Paddle Trip

12 May 2011

For Immediate Release

May 12, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Early bird savings are available for participants registering by June 5 for the 17th Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 18-25, 2011.

The Delaware Sojourn, one of the oldest river sojourns in the nation, combines the experiences of guided paddling excursions with interpretive programs, camping, and camaraderie. Participants may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. This year's theme of River of Life will focus programming on the river’s ecology and the vast variety of life that the river sustains.

Close to 75 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2011, split into daily trips ranging from nine to fourteen miles. Additionally, this year’s Sojourn will include a ten-mile paddle on the Lackawaxen River, a tributary to the Delaware River and also Pennsylvania’s River of the Year in 2010.

In brief, the Sojourn will include the following stretches:
Saturday, June 18: NEWE Kellams Bridge Campsite (Pa.) to Callicoon (Pa.)
Sunday, June 19: Buckingham (Pa.) to NEWE Kellams Bridge Campsite (Pa.)
Monday, June 20: Lackawaxen River – River Bend Access to Minisink Ford (N.Y.) on the Delaware River
Tuesday, June 21: Bushkill Access (Pa.) to Worthington State Forest (N.J.)
Wednesday, June 22: Worthington State Forest to Driftstone on the Delaware Campground (Pa.)
Thursday, June 23: Firemans Eddy/Belle Mountain Access (just south of Lambertville, N.J.) to Yardley (Pa.)
Friday, June 24: Yardley to Bordentown (N.J.)
Saturday, June 25: Bordentown to Bristol (Pa.)

The cost for Sojourners who register by June 5 is $80 per day for participants 16 and older and $60 per day for ages 15 and under. There is a one-time insurance fee of $5 per person for this event sanctioned by the American Canoe Association (ACA), except for current ACA members. Further discount opportunities may be available for first-time adult paddlers on the Delaware River Sojourn. Add $10 to the rates for registrations made after June 5.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, single or tandem kayak rental (with paddle and PFD), shuttle transportation, educational programs, meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. Please note that rentals will be rafts for Monday, June 20 on the Lackawaxen River. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

Space is limited, so please register early! Additional information, including registration details, itinerary overview, event guidelines, photos, and more, is available on the sojourn web site www.delawareriversojourn.org. We are again offering the ability to register online using Paypal. Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch at (646) 205-2724 or info@riversojourn.com.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers, all of whom work and/or live within the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is co-chaired by a volunteer with the National Park Service’s Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and a representative from the Delaware River Basin Commission.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC To Hold Another Public Hearing On XTO Energy's Proposed Water Withdrawal

12 May 2011

For Immediate Release

May 12, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at its May 11, 2011 business meeting unanimously decided to keep the comment period on the XTO Energy draft docket open until the DRBC holds another public hearing in the vicinity of Broome County, N.Y. within the next 30 days. Specific details on the date, time, and location of the hearing will be released as soon as they are finalized.

This action by the Commissioners followed the public hearing held during yesterday’s meeting, where 39 persons testified on the draft docket. Many of those who testified requested another hearing and a comment period extension. In addition, the DRBC has received more than 7,900 comments on the draft docket.

The draft docket prepared by DRBC staff in response to XTO Energy’s application stipulates that even if the docket is issued, the company cannot withdraw any water at the site until it receives separate approvals from DRBC and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for those natural gas wells intended to receive the water.

On May 5, 2010, the Commissioners directed DRBC staff to draft regulations for natural gas well pad projects in shale formations in the basin. The Commissioners indicated that they will not consider specific natural gas well pad applications until after the regulations are approved by the Commission. Draft regulations were published in December 2010 and the input received during the public comment period that concluded on April 15, 2011 is now being reviewed and considered by the DRBC.

The Commissioners also announced in May 2010 that water withdrawal applications associated with natural gas well pad activities within the basin such as the one submitted by XTO Energy should continue to be processed in accordance with existing DRBC regulations since they are similar to water withdrawal applications for other uses in the basin.

Written comments on the proposed draft docket should include “XTO Energy” in the subject line and may be submitted by e-mail to Paula.Schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us or by mail to Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter. The draft XTO Energy water withdrawal docket can be viewed on the Commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The five Commission members are the Governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government. 2011 marks the Commission’s 50th anniversary.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Original Artwork Sought To Highlight The Delaware River As Pennsylvania's 2011 River Of The Year

25 Mar 2011

For Immediate Release

March 25, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), along with its partners on the 2011 Delaware River Sojourn and Pennsylvania 2011 River of the Year (ROY) steering committees, are looking for original artwork for flyers, the sojourn t-shirt, and other promotional materials. Images should effectively portray the Delaware River and the sojourn, as well as emphasize the honorary ROY designation.

Artists are invited to submit original works to be selected by members of the two steering committees for various promotional uses. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners, with the first place winner also having his or her design featured on the sojourn T-shirt that is given to all sojourn participants. Other uses of artwork would be for event materials, sojourn day plans, flyers, and may also be used on the sojourn and ROY web sites. Artists whose work is chosen will be properly credited wherever the work is published.

The Delaware River Sojourn, in its 17th year, is an eight-day paddling trip that will take place June 18-25, 2011. The sojourn combines paddling, camping, and educational programming in order to encourage appreciation of this vital resource. This year’s “River of Life” theme will focus sojourn programming on the variety of life that the river sustains and on its distinction as ROY.

The Delaware was named Pennsylvania’s 2011 River of the Year in January through a public vote. Bestowed annually on a Commonwealth river by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, this honor helps raise awareness about the overall significance of rivers and the importance of stewardship.

Additional details on the art contest, including guidelines, technical and design requirements, and application procedure, can be found at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Artists are asked to email their submissions to delawaresojourn@gmail.com. The deadline to submit artwork is April 15, 2011.

The 2011 Delaware River Sojourn and 2011 ROY steering committees are comprised of agencies, organizations, and individual volunteers from throughout the watershed. The sojourn committee plans the annual paddling excursion, and the ROY committee will organize a series of activities to celebrate the river’s ROY designation. Events will highlight the Delaware’s conservation needs, robust recreational offerings, and connection to watershed communities. DRBC co-chairs the 2011 sojourn steering committee and also serves as the 2011 ROY steering committee coordinator.

DRBC was formed in 1961 through compact legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), marking the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners to oversee a unified approach to managing a river system without regard to political boundaries. 2011 marks the commission’s 50th anniversary.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Extends Comment Period On Draft Natural Gas Development Regulations

02 Mar 2011

For Immediate Release

March 2, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the period for submitting written comments on the proposed natural gas development rulemaking will be extended an additional 30 days through the close of business (5 p.m.) April 15, 2011. The comment period was to have ended March 16.

“The Commissioners announced the extension at their March 2 public business meeting held in West Trenton in response to numerous requests,” DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. “This will provide additional time for the public and government officials to study the proposed regulations and offer written technical comments.” The vote approving the 30-day extension was four (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and the federal government) to one (Pennsylvania). The Commissioners also instructed DRBC staff to immediately begin sorting and processing the approximately 2,500 comments received to date.

Written comments will be accepted by two methods only:

Electronic submission using a web-based form available on the DRBC web site (preferred method); or
Paper submission mailed or delivered to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter.

Comments that are faxed, telephoned, or emailed to individual DRBC Commissioners and staff will not be accepted for the rulemaking record.

All written comments submitted via the two methods described above that are received prior to 5 p.m. on April 15, 2011 along with the transcript of the oral testimony presented at the public hearings held Feb. 22 and 24 in Honesdale, Pa., Liberty, N.Y., and Trenton, N.J. will become a part of the rulemaking record and be considered by the Commissioners prior to any action on the proposed regulations. Such action will be taken at a duly noticed public meeting of the Commission on a future date.

The purpose of the proposed regulations is to protect the water resources of the Delaware River Basin during the construction and operation of natural gas development projects. The draft regulations establish requirements to prevent, reduce, or mitigate depletion and degradation of surface and groundwater resources and to promote sound practices of watershed management.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five Commission members are the Governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

Additional information, including a fact sheet and the text of the proposed regulations, can be found on the Commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Announces Public Hearings On Draft Natural Gas Regulations

24 Jan 2011

For Immediate Release

January 24, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced the public hearing schedule to receive oral testimony on the proposed natural gas development rulemaking.

The public hearings will be held 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Feb. 22 – Honesdale High School Auditorium, 459 Terrace Street, Honesdale, Pa.
Feb. 22 – Liberty High School Auditorium, 125 Buckley Street, Liberty, N.Y.
Feb. 24 – Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, N.J.

Registration for those who wish to testify will begin one hour prior to the beginning of each hearing session (12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Please note that the registration process will be on a first-come basis and it is estimated that approximately 75 persons will have the opportunity to present oral testimony within the allotted time period for each hearing session. Oral testimony will be limited to two minutes per person, but can be supplemented with written comments submitted at the hearing or prior to the written comments deadline. Oral testimony and written comments will receive the same consideration by the Commissioners prior to any action on the proposed regulations. Elected government officials will be afforded the opportunity to present their two-minute oral testimony at the beginning of the hearing if they contact Paula Schmitt at (609) 883-9500 x224 prior to the date of the hearing.

The DRBC will strictly adhere to the maximum capacity numbers established by local officials for each hearing location (990 Honesdale H.S., 750 Liberty H.S., and 1,833 Patriots Theater).

Written comments will be accepted through the close of business March 16, 2011 by two methods only:

1) Electronic submission using a web-based form available on the DRBC web site (preferred method); or
2) Paper submission mailed or delivered to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter. As previously noted, paper submissions also will be accepted at the public hearings.

Due to the expected volume, comments that are faxed, telephoned, or emailed to individual DRBC Commissioners and staff will not be accepted for the rulemaking record.

All written comments submitted via the two methods described above that are received prior to 5 p.m. on March 16, 2011 along with the transcript of the oral testimony presented at the hearings will become a part of the rulemaking record and be considered by the Commissioners prior to any action on the proposed regulations. Such action will be taken at a duly noticed public meeting of the Commission at a future date.

Additional information, including a fact sheet and the text of the proposed regulations, can be found on the Commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Public Encouraged To Vote For The Delaware River As Pennsylvania's 2011 River Of The Year

17 Dec 2010

For Immediate Release

December 17, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the Delaware Sojourn Steering Committee today reminded the public that it has until January 3, 2011 to vote on-line for the Delaware River as Pennsylvania’s River of the Year.

Bestowed annually on a Commonwealth river by the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, this honor helps raise awareness about the significance of rivers, their conservation needs, and their recreational and economic impact on watershed communities.

Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/9YM8TSK to view the nomination statements for each of the six finalists and vote; information can also be found at www.dcnr.state.pa.us and www.drbc.net. This is the first time that the winning river, to be announced in January, will be chosen by the public. Over 100 nominations were originally submitted for 21 waterways. Individuals do not have to be from Pennsylvania in order to vote.

“The Delaware River is extremely important to Pennsylvania and the entire Mid-Atlantic region for its unparalleled water resources, robust recreational offerings, and fundamental role in our nation’s history,” said Carol R. Collier, DRBC Executive Director and past chair of the Sojourn Steering Committee.

If chosen as the 2011 River of the Year, in addition to planning the 17th Delaware River Sojourn, DRBC and the Delaware Sojourn Steering Committee will work with a variety of other partners throughout the watershed to coordinate a series of events that will promote awareness of, stewardship for, and communities’ connections to the Delaware, as well as celebrate DRBC’s 50th anniversary milestone.

The Delaware Sojourn Steering Committee is comprised of agencies, organizations, and individual volunteers who work together to organize the annual event. Scheduled to take place June 19-25, 2011, the sojourn combines paddling, camping, and educational programming in order to encourage appreciation of and pride in this vital and precious resource. Details can be found at www.delawareriversojourn.org as they become available.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 through compact legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), marking the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners to oversee a unified approach to managing a river system without regard to political boundaries.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Publishes Draft Natural Gas Regulations

09 Dec 2010

For Immediate Release

December 9, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that draft natural gas development regulations are now available for public review on the Commission’s web site, www.drbc.net.

Three public hearings will be scheduled during the 90-day comment period to receive oral testimony on the proposed rulemaking. Details will be released as soon as the dates and locations have been confirmed.

Written comments will be accepted through the close of business March 16, 2011 by two methods only:

Electronic submission using a web-based form available on the DRBC web site (preferred method); or
Paper submission mailed or delivered to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Please include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter. Paper submissions also will be accepted at the three public hearings.

Due to the expected volume, comments that are faxed, telephoned, or emailed to individual DRBC Commissioners and staff will not be accepted for the rulemaking record.

All written comments submitted via the two methods described above that are received prior to 5 p.m. on March 16, 2011 along with oral testimony presented at the hearings will become a part of the rulemaking record and be considered by the Commissioners prior to any action on the proposed regulations. Such action will be taken at a duly noticed public meeting of the Commission at a future date.

The Commission thanks the National Park Service for allowing the use of its Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) online system to facilitate the electronic submission of written comments on this proposed rulemaking.

Additional information, including a fact sheet and the text of the proposed regulations, can be found on the Commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Lifts Lower Basin Drought Warning

01 Nov 2010

For Immediate Release

November 1, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) announced that it has terminated the lower basin drought warning for the portion of the watershed downstream from Montague, N.J.

“The lower basin drought warning in effect since Sept. 24 automatically ended Oct. 31 because Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs exceeded their drought warning storage levels for 30 consecutive days,” DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said.

Storage in these two lower basin reservoirs rebounded during October, especially following the heavy rainfall that impacted the basin during the last week of September when many areas received three-to seven-inches of rain with locally higher amounts of eight-to ten-inches.

The persistent dry weather conditions over the summer resulted in the DRBC directing releases from the Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs, owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), to meet the flow objective at Trenton, N.J. Additional releases to meet the Trenton flow objective were directed from Cannonsville Reservoir, owned and operated by the City of New York, located on the West Branch Delaware River. The Trenton flow objective was established to provide protection from salinity intrusion, which has the potential to affect the drinking water supplies for Philadelphia and portions of southwestern New Jersey served by New Jersey American Water. The directed releases reduced the amount of water in the two USACE lower basin reservoirs to levels that automatically triggered the lower basin drought warning declaration by DRBC on Sept. 24.

With the termination of the lower basin drought warning and resumption of normal operations, the Trenton flow objective is once again 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and New Jersey’s diversion of water from the Delaware River near Bull’s Island through the Delaware and Raritan Canal may be increased to 100 million gallons per day (mgd). During the lower basin drought warning, the Trenton flow objective and New Jersey diversion were reduced to 2,500 cfs and 85 mgd, respectively.

“Although we are no longer in a lower basin drought warning, DRBC still encourages the wise use of water by our basin industries, businesses, and citizens,” Collier said. “Water conservation should be practiced all of the time, and not be limited to dry periods.”

Beltzville Reservoir is located on Pohopoco Creek, a Lehigh River tributary, in Carbon County, Pa., and Blue Marsh Reservoir is located on the Tulpehocken Creek, a tributary to the Schuylkill River, in Berks County, Pa. The DRBC pays the USACE for reservoir storage to be used for directed releases during dry conditions from its Water Supply Storage Facilities Fund. In addition to flow augmentation, these two reservoirs are used for flood control and recreation.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Division Engineer of the USACE North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

Additional information about the commission can be found on its web site at www.drbc.net.

DRBC's Drought Information Page

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Contacts: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Declares Lower Basin Drought Warning

24 Sep 2010

For Immediate Release

September 24, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today issued a lower basin drought warning for the portion of the watershed downstream from Montague, N.J.

“Low flows in the Delaware River caused by the persistently dry weather conditions over the summer prompted the DRBC to direct releases from the Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs in order to meet the flow objective at Trenton, N.J.,” DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. “During the past several months, we have depended heavily on these releases, thereby reducing the amount of water in those reservoirs to levels that automatically triggered today’s lower basin drought warning declaration.”

“The commission’s lower basin drought management plan calls for sacrifices – less water for the river and less water for out-of-basin diversions. The commission is acting now to conserve reservoir storage because we don’t know how much longer we’ll need to direct releases from those reservoirs to support low river flows,” Collier said. “Although today’s announcement does not require mandatory water use restrictions, the DRBC joins New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware in encouraging voluntary water conservation actions by our lower basin industries, businesses, and citizens.”

As a result of today’s declaration, the Trenton flow objective is decreased from 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2,500 cfs. Further adjustments can be made based on the location of the “salt front.” Additionally, by unanimous agreement among the parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree in the case of New Jersey v. New York (Delaware, New Jersey, New York State, Pennsylvania, and New York City), New Jersey’s diversion of water from the Delaware River near Bull’s Island through the Delaware and Raritan Canal is being reduced from 100 million gallons per day (mgd) to 85 mgd. The declaration gives DRBC the option of calling for releases from PPL’s Lake Wallenpaupack located near Hawley, Pa., if necessary, to supplement future releases from Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs. Releases also may be required in the future from Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County, N.J. if hydrologic conditions continue to deteriorate.

As of Sept. 23, the Commission had directed the release of over 8.8 billion gallons (bg) of water from Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs combined to meet the Trenton flow objective; when full, these two lower basin impoundments hold a total of 19.5 bg. Another 3.8 bg has been released from the New York City-owned upper basin reservoirs to meet the Trenton flow objective. Both Beltzville Reservoir (located on the Pohopoco Creek, a tributary to the Lehigh River in Carbon County, Pa.) and Blue Marsh Reservoir (located on the Tulpehocken Creek, a tributary to the Schuylkill River in Berks County, Pa.) are owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. DRBC pays the Army Corps of Engineers for reservoir storage to be used for directed releases during dry conditions from its Water Supply Storage Facilities Fund. In addition to flow augmentation, these two reservoirs are used for flood control and recreation.

The DRBC lower basin drought management plan also focuses on controlling the upstream migration of salty water, referred to as the “salt front,” from the Atlantic Ocean through the Delaware Bay into the tidal river. As the salt front moves upstream along the tidal Delaware River in response to low freshwater flows coming downstream, salinity intrusion can impact public water suppliers and surface water users. The Philadelphia Water Department and New Jersey American Water in Delran, N.J. both have water supply intakes on the Delaware River upstream of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

New Jersey issued a statewide drought watch on Sept. 8 and Pennsylvania issued drought watches or warnings on Sept. 16 for the 17 counties that are located in the Delaware River Basin. These actions urge residents to reduce water use voluntarily. Hydrologic conditions in Delaware have not resulted in a state-declared drought watch or warning at this time, but the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control also is encouraging water conservation by Delawareans. The basin states' drought management plans look at reservoir storage in addition to other factors like precipitation amounts, soil moisture, streamflows, and groundwater levels. Municipalities and townships also have their own plans to deal with unique local conditions.

The lower basin drought warning declaration will remain in effect until the storage levels in Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs recover to appropriate levels for thirty consecutive days, unless the commission unanimously agrees otherwise. Drought information can be found at www.drbc.net.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Division Engineer, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who represents the federal government.

***

Contacts: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us
Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC To Hold Public Hearing On Water Quality Criteria Update For Delaware Estuary And Bay

13 Sep 2010

For Immediate Release

September 13, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 23 to receive comments on a proposed rulemaking to update the commission’s water quality criteria for toxic pollutants in the Delaware Estuary and Bay.

The public hearing will be held at the DRBC’s office building on 25 State Police Drive in West Trenton, N.J. beginning at 2:30 p.m. and continuing until all those who wish to testify have the opportunity to do so. Those who wish to testify are encouraged to register in advance by phoning Paula Schmitt at 609-883-9500, ext. 224.

Written comments on the proposed rulemaking must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2010, and may be submitted by e-mail to regs@drbc.state.nj.us or by mail to Regulations c/o Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Comments may also be faxed to Regulations at 609-883-9522. In all cases, please include the commenter’s name, address, and affiliation in the comment and include “Water Quality Criteria” in the subject line.

The purpose of this proposed rulemaking is to update many of the commission’s water quality criteria for human health and aquatic life for toxic pollutants in the Delaware Estuary (DRBC Water Quality Zones 2 through 5) and to extend application of the criteria to the Delaware Bay (DRBC Water Quality Zone 6). The proposed changes will bring the commission’s criteria for toxic pollutants into conformity with current guidance published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and provide a more consistent regulatory framework for managing the tidal portion of the main stem Delaware River and Bay.

These updates were developed by the commission’s Toxics Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives of the four basin states – Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania – and members of the academic, agricultural, public health, industrial and municipal sectors, and non-governmental environmental community.

The amendments proposed in this rulemaking do not include changes to the commission’s criteria for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware Estuary and Bay. A separate rulemaking process to update the commission’s human health criteria for PCBs has been undertaken separately. As no final rule has yet been approved by the commission, the current PCB criteria remain in effect.

The full text of the proposed rule changes and related materials, as well as directions to the DRBC office building, can be viewed on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Executive Director Approves Hess Corp. Request To Allow Two Additional Natural Gas Exploratory Wells

23 Jul 2010

For Immediate Release

July 23, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that she has amended her June 14, 2010 supplemental determination to allow two additional natural gas exploratory wells in Wayne County, Pa. to proceed.

Both Hess Corporation vertical exploratory wells, known as Davidson 1V and Hammond 1V, are proposed to be located in the north-northwest portion of the county. Collier already publicly announced her intention to take today’s action at last week’s July 14 commission meeting.

In June 2010, Collier modified the provisions of her original May 2009 determination to extend to exploratory wells the requirement that DRBC approval be obtained for natural gas well projects in shale formations within the drainage area of Special Protection Waters. However, Collier allowed an exploratory well to proceed if the applicant had received a state natural gas well permit for the project on or before the date of her June 14, 2010 supplemental determination announcement. The Davidson 1V and Hammond 1V wells received Pennsylvania Erosion and Sediment Control General Permits (ESCGP-1) prior to June 14, but the company’s well drilling applications already filed with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) were still under active review by PADEP and awaiting a permitting decision on that date.

Today’s amended supplemental determination covers only the Davidson 1V and Hammond 1V exploratory wells, both of which remain subject to all applicable PADEP regulatory requirements, including state well drilling permits. The state-approved Erosion and Sediment Control General Permits provide specific information regarding siting of these exploratory wells and set forth in detail the erosion and sediment control measures to be implemented during and after their construction to protect water resources.

All other aspects of the May 2009 and June 2010 determinations remain in full effect. Exploratory wells may not be fractured or otherwise modified for natural gas production without prior DRBC approval. Commission consideration of natural gas production projects will occur after new DRBC regulations are adopted. Draft natural gas regulations are expected to be published by the end of summer 2010, with a public rulemaking process to follow.

Any person adversely affected by this action may request a hearing by submitting a request in writing to the commission secretary within 30 days of the date of this amended supplemental determination in accordance with the DRBC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Basin. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the Division Engineer, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who represents the federal government.

Additional information, including the amended supplemental determination issued today, can be found on the commission’s web site.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Approves Stone Energy Water Withdrawal

15 Jul 2010

For Immediate Release

July 15, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) --The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at its July 14, 2010 public business meeting approved Stone Energy Corporation’s proposed water withdrawal from the West Branch Lackawaxen River in Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pa. Water withdrawn from this site is designed to support Stone Energy’s planned natural gas development and extraction activities targeting shale formations within the drainage area of the basin’s Special Protection Waters in Pennsylvania. Because this water withdrawal is designed to support Stone Energy’s natural gas activities, the docket stipulates that Stone Energy cannot withdraw any water at the site until it receives separate DRBC approval for the natural gas well pad itself.

The five-member commission includes Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the federal government. The Stone Energy water withdrawal docket vote was three to one, with Delaware opposed and New York unable to attend due to out-of-state travel restrictions.

“This docket protects other water users and preserves ecological flows, key objectives for all surface water allocations,” DRBC Executive Director Carol Collier said.

Stone Energy must comply with several conditions contained in the approved withdrawal docket before it initiates any site preparation or construction at the withdrawal location. For example, it must submit to the DRBC and obtain the executive director’s approval of a Non-Point Source Pollution Control Plan, an Operations Plan, and final site design plans and specifications.

The DRBC conducted a public hearing on February 24, 2010 and received over 1,700 written comments on Stone Energy’s proposed water withdrawal project and its application for the Matoushek #1 natural gas production well located in Clinton Township, Wayne County, Pa. Commission consideration of Stone Energy’s Matoushek #1 well pad project application will occur after new DRBC regulations are adopted.

Draft natural gas regulations are expected to be published for public review by the end of summer 2010. The rulemaking process will move forward expeditiously and will include at least one public hearing and an opportunity for the public to submit written comments on the draft before the commissioners consider adoption of the regulations.

The commissioners at the July 14 meeting also granted written requests submitted by several persons, a municipality, landowners’ organizations, and environmental groups to schedule an administrative adjudicatory hearing on whether to modify the executive director’s June 14, 2010 decision to require natural gas companies to obtain commission approval before installing natural gas exploratory wells, except for those exploratory wells that had received state drilling permits as of June 14, 2010. Some of the interested parties would like all exploratory wells to be excluded from commission review while other interested parties would like all exploratory wells to be reviewed. The requests were consolidated and the future hearing will be held as soon as possible in northeast Pennsylvania.

In addition, Executive Director Collier announced at the meeting that she will be granting the request by Hess Corporation to amend her June 14, 2010 supplemental determination to allow the company to drill two additional exploratory wells in Wayne County, Pa. Both wells, known as the Davidson IV and Hammond IV wells, received Erosion and Sediment Control permits from Pennsylvania before June 14.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information, including the approved Stone Energy water withdrawal docket, will be posted on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Executive Director Determination Extended To Include Natural Gas Exploratory Wells

14 Jun 2010

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) --Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that she has supplemented her May 19, 2009 determination to include natural gas exploratory wells.

"My 2009 determination that sponsors of natural gas extraction projects in shale formations must obtain commission approval before commencing such projects expressly did not cover wells intended solely for exploratory purposes," Collier said. "Today, I am extending the provisions of my 2009 determination to include exploratory wells, subject to reservations for exploratory well projects already approved by the states on or before June 14, 2010."

By this supplemental determination, all natural gas well project sponsors, including the sponsors of natural gas well projects intended solely for exploratory purposes, must first apply for and obtain commission approval before commencing any natural gas well project for the production from or exploration of shale formations within the drainage area of Special Protection Waters in the Delaware River Basin.

"For the purpose of this determination, any natural gas well drilled in or through shale is assumed to be targeting a shale formation and is subject to this determination, unless the project sponsor proves otherwise," Collier added. All other aspects of the 2009 determination remain in effect.

Today's action recognizes the risks to water resources, including ground and surface water that the land disturbance and drilling activities inherent in any shale gas well pose. "In light of the commission's May 5, 2010 decision to finalize natural gas regulations before considering project approvals, this supplemental determination removes any regulatory incentive for project sponsors to classify their wells as exploratory wells and install them without DRBC review before the commission's natural gas regulations are in place," Collier said. "It thus supports the commission's goal that exploratory wells do not serve as a source of degradation of the commission's Special Protection Waters."

"Where entities have invested in exploratory well projects in reliance on my May 2009 determination and information from DRBC staff, there are countervailing considerations that favor allowing these projects to move ahead," Collier stated in her supplemental determination. "I am informed that since May of 2009, Pennsylvania has issued a limited number of natural gas well drilling permits within the Delaware River Basin targeting shale formations, while New York State has not issued any natural gas well permits targeting shales in the basin since that date. In contrast to the thousands of wells projected to be installed in the basin over the next several years, the risk to basin waters posed by only the wells approved by Pennsylvania since May 2009 are comparatively small. Not only are these wells subject to state regulation as to their construction and operation, but they continue to require commission approval before they can be fractured or otherwise modified for natural gas production. In light of these existing safeguards and the investment-backed expectations of the sponsors of these projects, this supplemental determination does not prohibit any exploratory natural gas well project from proceeding if the applicant has obtained a state natural gas well permit for the project on or before June 14, 2010."

Most of the shale formations that may be subject to horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques requiring large volumes of water in the basin are located within the drainage area to DRBC’s designated Special Protection Waters (SPW). The commission's SPW program is designed to prevent degradation in streams and rivers considered to have exceptionally high scenic, recreational, ecological, and/or water supply values through stricter control of wastewater discharges, non-point pollution control, and reporting requirements. Coverage of the DRBC's SPW anti-degradation regulations includes the 197-mile non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. south to Trenton, N.J. and the land draining to this stretch.

Any person adversely affected by this action may request a hearing by submitting a request in writing to the commission secretary within 30 days of the date of this supplemental determination in accordance with the DRBC's Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Additional information, including the complete supplemental determination and the May 19, 2009 determination, can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Registrations Still Being Accepted For Delaware River Sojourn

08 Jun 2010

For Immediate Release

June 8, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the 16th annual Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from Sunday, June 20 through Saturday, June 26. Furthermore, early bird registration savings of $10/day has been extended for individuals registering by noon on June 18.

The Delaware Sojourn is a guided paddling, learning, and camping adventure on and along the wild and scenic Delaware River. Participants may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. Split into daily trips ranging from six to thirteen miles, over 60 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled, giving sojourners a full experience of the river and its environs. From the pristine wilds of the upper section, to the tranquility of the lower non-tidal region, to the urban setting of the tidewaters, the Sojourn has something to offer paddlers of all skill levels.

This year's theme of Bridging the Delaware Valley - Connecting Communities was chosen not only to highlight the region’s river crossings, but also the broader concept of connection - the human connection across the river, to the river, and to our environment as a whole. Many of the bridges over the Delaware River are historically significant or structurally unique; noteworthy ones to be paddled under include John A. Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct, the Lumberville-Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge, and the Walt Whitman Bridge in Philadelphia.

Educational programming will also focus on water quality, canal history, current environmental issues, and how communities can and are helping protect the river for future generations. Feature programs include presentations by authors Steven Richman (Bridges of New Jersey) and Mary Shafer (Devastation on the Delaware), visits to the Zane Grey Museum and Taylor Wildlife Preserve, and an ending celebration at Camden’s Wiggins Marina.

The cost for Sojourners who register by noon on June 18 is $60 per day for participants 16 and older and $40 per day for ages 15 and under. An additional one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event. Registration fees cover the guided river trip, canoe or kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. Add $10 to the rates for registrations made after noon on June 18.

Additional information, including registration details, daily plans, event guidelines, further discount opportunities, and more, is available on the sojourn web site www.delawareriversojourn.org. Individuals can register online with PayPal until two days prior to the day they wish to paddle or they can mail in the downloadable registration form with payment; mail-in registrations must be received by June 18. A limited number of “walk-in” registrants will be accepted on the morning of each sojourn day, provided that space is still available on the trip.

Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Dejay Branch, Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition, at (646) 205-2724 or udpc@udpc.net.

The Delaware River Sojourn would like to thank the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission for participating in the 2010 Sojourn as part of the agency's commemoration of its 75th Year Anniversary.

The Delaware River Sojourn aims to promote stewardship of the Delaware River Watershed and its resources. The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers. This year's committee is co-chaired by Sarah Berg of Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal State Park and Kate O'Hara of the Delaware River Basin Commission.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Register Early, Save For 16th Annual Delaware River Sojourn Paddle Trip

11 May 2010

For Immediate Release

May 11, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Early bird savings are available for participants registering by June 4 for the 16th Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 20-26, 2010.

The Delaware Sojourn, one of the oldest river sojourns in the nation, combines the experiences of guided paddling excursions with interpretive programs, camping, and camaraderie. Participants may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. This year's theme of Bridging the Delaware Valley - Connecting Communities was chosen to highlight not only the bridges over the river, but also the broader concept of connection - the human connection across the river, to the river, and to our environment as a whole.

Over 60 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2010, split into daily trips ranging from six to thirteen miles, and will include the following stretches:

Sunday, June 20: Ten Mile River (N.Y.) to Kittatinny Canoes’ Barryville Base (N.Y.)
Monday, June 21: Barryville to Kittatinny’s Staircase Rapids Base (N.Y.)
Tuesday, June 22: Staircase Rapids to Kittatinny’s Matamoras Base (Pa.)
Wednesday, June 23: Easton (Pa.) to Riegelsville (N.J.)
Thursday, June 24: Giving Pond (Pa.) to Bull’s Island (N.J.)
Friday, June 25: Palmyra Cove Nature Park (N.J.) to Rancocas Creek (N.J.) and back to Amico Island (N.J.) when the tide changes
Saturday, June 26: West Deptford Boat Ramp (N.J.) to Wiggins Park Marina (N.J.)

The cost for Sojourners who register by June 4 is $60 per day for participants 16 and older and $40 per day for ages 15 and under. There is a one-time insurance fee of $5 per person for this event sanctioned by the American Canoe Association (ACA), except for current ACA members. Further discount opportunities are available for first-time adult paddlers on the Delaware River Sojourn. Add $10 to the rates for registrations made after June 4.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, canoe or kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers, all of whom work and/or live within the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is co-chaired by a representative from Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal State Park and from the Delaware River Basin Commission.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Will Review Natural Gas Well Pad Projects After Adoption Of New Regulations

06 May 2010

For Immediate Release

May 6, 2010

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at its May 5, 2010 public business meeting directed commission staff to draft regulations for natural gas well pad projects in shale formations in the Delaware River Basin. The commissioners will consider specific natural gas well pad applications after the new regulations are in place.

“The drafting process is already underway, so it made logical sense for the development of new regulations to move forward in advance of any individual project decisions,” DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said in describing the action taken yesterday by the commissioners representing Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the federal government. The rulemaking process will include public notice and a full opportunity for public comment before the commissioners adopt the regulations.

The DRBC has already conducted a public hearing and received over 2,000 written comments regarding a proposal previously submitted by Stone Energy Corporation for the Matoushek #1 well located in Clinton Township, Wayne County, Pa. The commissioners’ decision to rule upon this and other pending and future specific natural gas well pad project applications after the new regulations are adopted is consistent with many of the public comments submitted.

Commission review of pending or future proposed water withdrawals to be used to supply water to natural gas extraction projects, including Stone Energy’s proposed water withdrawal from the West Branch Lackawaxen River in Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County, Pa., will proceed in accordance with existing DRBC regulations. The written comments that the DRBC received during the comment period that closed on April 12 pertained to both Stone Energy’s proposed water withdrawal project and its proposed natural gas well drilling project. The earliest that the commission could vote on the Stone Energy proposed water withdrawal project would be its next public business meeting scheduled for July 14, 2010.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information about the commission can be found on its web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Releases Results Of Flood Analysis Model

15 Dec 2009

For Immediate Release

December 15, 2009

(FLEMINGTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today reported that its review of the 2004, 2005, and 2006 storm events utilizing the new Delaware River Basin Flood Analysis Model demonstrate that widespread river flooding would have occurred in each instance regardless of the pre-event storage condition in the upper basin reservoirs. The findings were announced today by DRBC staff at a public meeting of the Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force held in Flemington, N.J.

"The results of the flood analysis computer model developed by a federal interagency team for the commission, as well as a review of inundation mapping and structural surveys prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, indicate that operational changes to reservoirs alone will not substantially reduce flooding if we experience storms similar to the three major events in September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "We believe the results support the earlier conclusion of the Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force that no single approach will eliminate flooding along the Delaware River and that we must continue to focus efforts on implementing a combination of flood loss reduction strategies."

Of the 13 reservoirs simulated in the model upstream of Trenton, N.J., five did not spill during any of the three storm events and thus can provide no further flood mitigation with additional pre-event void space. For the eight reservoirs that did spill, the model results indicate that larger pre-event voids could have reduced flood crests, but much of the main stem would still have remained in the National Weather Service (NWS) designated moderate or major flood stage. The amount of reduction in the flood crest that could potentially be achieved with pre-event voids was found to depend upon the characteristics of the storm event (path, precipitation intensity, duration, timing, and antecedent soil saturation) as well as on proximity to the reservoir, stream channel characteristics, and local topography.

The flood analysis model was used by DRBC staff to predict river stages for six hypothetical pre-event reservoir conditions for each of the three storms. In each scenario, river stages were simulated at nine NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) flood forecast points.

The model predicted that with the three New York City (NYC) reservoirs hypothetically empty preceding each of the three storm events, river elevations would still have reached or exceeded flood stage at all but three of the AHPS forecast locations where flooding actually occurred. These three locations were on tributaries a short distance below the reservoirs: Hale Eddy, N.Y in 2005, Harvard, N.Y. in 2004/2005, and Bridgeville, N.Y. in 2006. The model predicted that with partial voids, river elevations would still have reached or exceeded flood stage at all but two of the AHPS forecast locations that experienced flooding – again, at Harvard with a pre-event void of 10 or 20 percent in 2004, and at Bridgeville with a pre-event void of 20 percent in 2006.

The model results predicted that river elevations would have exceeded flood stage at all other AHPS forecast points regardless of pre-event reservoir levels. However, partial voids did result in flood crest reductions. The largest simulated potential reduction in river elevation on the main stem Delaware under the 20 percent reservoir void scenario was approximately 4.5 feet at Easton, Pa. in connection with the 2006 storm event. Despite this predicted reduction, the stage at Easton would still have exceeded the NWS major flood stage. Inundation mapping and structural surveys prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) indicate that in this scenario 34 of 60 surveyed properties would still have been inundated.

The number of units spared under a hypothetical pre-event void scenario is less favorable when the analysis is extended to multiple sites. Thus, when Easton is considered together with 11 other basin locations included in the USACE structural damage survey, 1,191 out of 1,484 properties would still have been flooded with a simulated 20 percent pre-event reservoir void in connection with the 2006 event. "Property analysis such as this reminds us that persons living in a flood hazard area have a high level of risk for experiencing flooding," Collier said. "Considering operational changes to existing reservoirs as the only flood mitigation strategy would unfortunately provide a false sense of security for people who own or occupy the vast majority of structures currently located in or proposed to be located in flood prone areas. I believe it is clear that we need to work with all levels of government and the public, including our floodplain residents, to move forward with implementing all 45 recommendations of the Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force which call for a comprehensive approach to flood loss reduction."

DRBC will continue to work with basin reservoir operators to evolve spill mitigation programs that shift spilled water to managed water without diminishing the security of regional water supplies. Eleven million people in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania depend upon NYC’s three Delaware Basin reservoirs for drinking water – either directly via an out-of-basin diversion or through releases to augment river flows downstream. Other actions being pursued by the DRBC for flood damage mitigation include:

continuing to implement non-reservoir related task force recommendations, such as flood warning system upgrades and basinwide stormwater management with retrofits in developed areas;
strengthening flood plain management; and
continuing to explore basinwide water resource strategies that may include additional multi-purpose storage.

Development of the flood analysis computer model was among the 45 recommendations identified by the Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force, formed at the request of the four governors, in its July 2007 action agenda for a more proactive, sustainable, and systematic approach to flood damage reduction.

The interagency team that developed the flood analysis model included staff from the USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center, NWS, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and DRBC. Work on the flood analysis model began in August 2007 with $500,000 provided by the four basin state governors. Additional funds and in-kind services from USACE, NWS, and USGS have totaled $285,000. The development of the model proved to be a more complicated undertaking than originally expected, delaying its release.

The flood analysis model used to generate today's presentation will be posted on the DRBC web site no later than December 16. The model's documentation and graphical user interface are still being finalized. The DRBC expects to be able to publish these products in January 2010. DRBC also plans to have an independent technical review of the flood analysis model performed.

The DRBC was created by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states that encompass land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

Thirteen Reservoirs Simulated

Cannonsville (West Branch Delaware River - NYC)
Pepacton (East Branch Delaware River - NYC)
Neversink (Neversink River - NYC)
Lake Wallenpaupack (Wallenpaupack Creek - PPL)
Toronto/Mongaup System (Black Lake Creek - Alliance Energy)
Swinging Bridge/Mongaup System (Mongaup River - Alliance Energy)
Rio/Mongaup System (Mongaup River - Alliance Energy)
Nockamixon (Tohickon Creek - Pa. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources)
*Francis E. Walter (Lehigh River - USACE)
*Beltzville (Pohopoco Creek - USACE)
*Prompton (West Branch Lackawaxen River - USACE)
*General Edgar Jadwin (Dyberry Creek - USACE)
*Merrill Creek (Merrill Creek - Merrill Creek Owners Group)
* Did not spill during 2004/2005/2006 storm events

Nine NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) Flood Forecast Points

Hale Eddy, N.Y (West Branch Delaware River)
Harvard, N.Y. (East Branch Delaware River)
Bridgeville, N.Y. (Neversink River)
Montague, N.J. (Delaware River)
Belvidere, N.J. (Delaware River)
Easton, Pa. (Delaware River)
Riegelsville, N.J. (Delaware River)
New Hope, Pa. (Delaware River)
Trenton, N.J. (Delaware River)

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC To Hold October Informational Meetings On Proposed Water Quality Rulemaking To Protect The Tidal Delaware River And Bay

14 Sep 2009

For Immediate Release

September 14, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold meetings on October 1 in Norristown, Pa. and October 6 in Bordentown, N.J. to inform the public about proposed regulatory changes to revise human health water quality criterion for PCBs in the Delaware River downstream of Trenton, N.J. and the Delaware Bay. An implementation plan for achieving this criterion also will be discussed.

The October 1 meeting will take place at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Regional Office, 2 East Main Street, in Norristown. The October 6 meeting in Bordentown will be held at the Rutgers EcoComplex, 1200 Florence-Columbus Road. Both public meetings will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will include presentations by DRBC staff as well as a question and answer period.

In addition, the DRBC announced that a formal hearing to accept public testimony on the proposal will be held at 1:30 p.m. on October 8 at the commission’s office building located at 25 State Police Drive in West Trenton, N.J. Unlike the two public informational meetings, this will be an opportunity for the public to offer testimony and will not include formal presentations or a question and answer period. Written comments will be accepted through October 19. Following a review of all public comments, final action by the commissioners on the proposed rulemaking will likely occur at the DRBC’s December 9, 2009 business meeting.

Written comments should be mailed to Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360, faxed to “Attn: Commission Secretary” at (609) 883-9522, or emailed to paula.schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us. All written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on October 19, 2009, and should include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter, along with "PCB Rulemaking" in the subject line.

PCBs are a class of chemicals present in the waters of the tidal Delaware River and Delaware Bay, also referred to as the Delaware Estuary, at concentrations up to 1,000 times higher than the water quality criteria and have been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a probable human carcinogen. The U.S. banned the manufacture and new use of PCBs in the late 1970s, but the chemical stability of these compounds has allowed them to persist in the environment. PCBs enter fish through absorption or by ingestion of prey and accumulate in their tissues at levels many times higher than in the surrounding water, prompting fish consumption advisories to be issued by Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

The current DRBC water quality criteria for PCBs to protect human health in the tidal Delaware were established in 1996, vary by location, and pre-date the collection of additional studies on PCBs in the estuary. DRBC currently has no PCB water quality criterion for the Delaware Bay; however, New Jersey and Delaware have established a criterion of 64 picograms per liter for this water body.

Rigorously applying the most current available data and EPA methodology, the DRBC’s Toxics Advisory Committee in July 2005 completed development of a new human health water quality criterion for PCBs of 16 picograms per liter for the entire Delaware Estuary. Later that year, the DRBC authorized the solicitation of public input on this updated water quality criterion, but first requested that the commission’s executive director develop a strategy for implementing criteria for bioaccumulative pollutants such as PCBs. These pollutants are particularly problematic since their association with the sediments of a river or bay can prevent achieving the updated criteria for decades.

Following meetings in 2006 and 2007, a small workgroup of DRBC and EPA staff began work on the details of such a plan. An exhaustive effort culminated during 2008 with the completion of an approach called the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan for PCBs.

The revised PCB human health water quality criterion will be used as the basis for the Stage 2 TMDLs that will be developed by DRBC staff and expected to be established by EPA in December 2009. The implementation plan will be included as an appendix to the Stage 2 TMDL report.

A TMDL sets the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive without violating applicable water quality criteria and allocates that amount among sources in the watershed – both point (end-of-pipe) and non-point (runoff). Dischargers must reduce loads to the allocated levels in order to achieve and maintain the criteria.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the federal government. Its five members include the basin state governors and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, who serves as the federal representative. The creation of the commission marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

For more information about the proposed rulemaking, including the full text of the proposed amendments, implementation plan, background document, and driving directions to the meeting locations, visit the DRBC’s web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Registrations Still Being Accepted For The 2009 Delaware River Sojourn

17 Jun 2009

For Immediate Release

June 17, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the 15th annual Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from Sunday, June 21 through Saturday, June 27. The sojourn combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more.

The theme for this year’s sojourn is “No One Left Inside,” encouraging people of all ages and experience levels to get outdoors and experience all that nature has to offer. It expands on the national slogan of "No Child Left Inside," which recognizes concern over the phenomenon of Nature Deficit Disorder affecting today's kids.

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills, and daily distances will range from five to 12 miles. Sojourners may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but aluminum canoes are not recommended.

The $70 per person daily registration fee ($50 for children age 15 and under) covers the guided river trip, canoe/kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. An additional one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event.

Additional information, including daily itineraries and driving directions, is available on the sojourn web site at www.delawareriversojourn.org. While mail-in registration is no longer available, interested parties may still register from June 18 until two days prior to the day they wish to paddle. Participants can either register online at http://riversojourn.org/sojournstore/index.php with a credit card or they can call in their registration information to DeJay Branch of the Upper Delaware Preservation Coalition at (646) 205-2724. For those who choose to call in, please leave your name, contact information, day(s) you wish to paddle and # of people, whether you (and those with you, if applicable) will need a canoe or kayak or are bringing your own, and whether you plan to camp; a cash or check payment will then be collected at that morning’s check-in.

A limited number of “walk-in” registrants will be accepted on the morning of each sojourn day, provided that space is still available on the trip; however, it is recommended to register ahead of time to definitively secure a spot on the sojourn.

This non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year’s committee is co-chaired by Dick Rhodes of the National Canoe Safety Patrol and Kate O’Hara of the Delaware River Basin Commission.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Eliminates Review Thresholds For Gas Extraction Projects In Shale Formations In Delaware Basin's Special Protection Waters

19 May 2009

For Immediate Release

May 19, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that she has issued a determination notifying natural gas extraction project sponsors that they may not commence any natural gas extraction project located in shale formations within the drainage area of the basin’s Special Protection Waters without first applying for and obtaining commission approval.

“This determination explains DRBC regulatory requirements on an interim basis and asserts commission review over all aspects of natural gas extraction projects in shale formations within the drainage area of the basin’s Special Protection Waters, regardless of the amount of water withdrawn or the capacity of domestic sewage treatment facilities accepting fracking wastewater,” Collier said. “The commissioners intend to adopt regulations pertaining to the subject matter contained in this determination after public notice and a full opportunity for public comment, but this rulemaking process can be lengthy. In the meantime, DRBC will apply this determination in combination with its existing regulations.”

In taking this action, Collier considered and determined that as a result of water withdrawals, wastewater disposal, and other activities, natural gas extraction projects in shale formations may individually or cumulatively affect the water quality of Special Protection Waters by altering their physical, biological, chemical or hydrological characteristics. This finding is in accordance with Section 2.3.5 B.18 of the commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, which provide that any project “that the Executive Director may specially direct by notice to the project sponsor or land owner as having a potential substantial water quality impact on waters classified as Special Protection Waters” may be required to undergo review.

“The intent behind this executive director determination is to provide directional signals, not put up roadblocks,” Collier said. “Each of these activities, if not properly performed, may cause adverse environmental effects on water resources. The bottom line for the DRBC is to ensure that proper environmental controls are provided to safeguard our basin's water resources that are used by nearly 15 million people.”

Most of the shale formations that may be subject to new horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques requiring large volumes of water in the basin are located within the drainage area to DRBC’s designated Special Protection Waters (SPW). The commission’s SPW program is designed to prevent degradation in streams and rivers considered to have exceptionally high scenic, recreational, ecological, and/or water supply values through stricter control of wastewater discharges, non-point pollution control, and reporting requirements. Coverage of the DRBC’s SPW anti-degradation regulations includes the 197-mile non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. south to Trenton, N.J. and the land draining to this stretch.

Under this determination, a natural gas extraction project encompasses the drilling pad upon which a well intended for eventual production is located, all accompanying facilities and related activities, and all locations of water withdrawals used or to be used to supply water to the project. Wells intended solely for exploratory purposes are not covered by this determination. An exploratory well is one that the project sponsor intends to plug and cap at the conclusion of exploratory activities without use for production or fracking. Exploratory wells are subject to state regulation.

“To determine whether the Rules of Practice and Procedure require DRBC review of any projects falling outside this determination, we continue to recommend that any company proposing natural gas extraction activities anywhere in the basin contact DRBC staff to schedule a pre-application meeting,” Collier said.

The DRBC recognizes that each natural gas extraction project also will be subject to the review of the environmental agency of the state in which the project is located and, in some cases, subject to federal agency review. The commission intends to coordinate with and, where feasible, to utilize the review process and approvals of the applicable state or federal agency to minimize duplication of effort and redundant requirements imposed on project sponsors.

Any person adversely affected by this determination may request a hearing by submitting a request in writing to the commission secretary within 30 days of the date of this determination in accordance with the DRBC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information, including the complete determination, can be found by clicking here.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Register Early, Save For 15th Annual Delaware River Sojourn Paddle Trip

07 May 2009

For Immediate Release

May 7, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Earlybird savings are available for participants registering by June 1 for the 15th Annual Delaware River Sojourn taking place June 21-27, 2009.

The Delaware Sojourn, one of the oldest river sojourns in the nation, combines the experiences of guided paddling excursions with interpretive programs, camping, and camaraderie. Participants may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. This year’s theme is “No One Left Inside”, encouraging people of all ages and experience levels to enjoy one of Mother Nature’s finest water parks, the wild and scenic Delaware River.

Over 65 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled in 2009, split into daily trips ranging from five to thirteen miles, and will include the following stretches:

Sunday, June 21: Pond Eddy (N.Y.) to Staircase Rapids (N.Y.)
Monday, June 22: Staircase Rapids (N.Y.) to Kittatinny’s River Beach Campground (Pa.)
Tuesday, June 23: Kittatinny’s River Beach Campground to Dingmans Ferry (Pa.)
Wednesday, June 24: Shawnee on Delaware (Pa.) to Driftstone (Pa.)
Thursday, June 25: Easton (Pa.) to Riegelsville (N.J.)
Friday, June 26: Giving Pond (Pa.) to Bull’s Island (N.J.)
Saturday, June 27: Pennsauken (N.J.) to Penn’s Landing (Pa.)

The cost for Sojourners who register by June 1 is $60 per day for participants 16 and older, and $40 for ages 15 and under. There is a one-time insurance fee of $5 per person for this event sanctioned by the American Canoe Association, except for current ACA members. Further discount opportunities are available for first-time adult paddlers on the Delaware River Sojourn. Add $10 to the rates for registrations made after June 1.

Space is limited, so please register early! Additional information, including registration details, event guidelines, photos, and more, is available on the sojourn web site www.delawareriversojourn.org. A new feature being offered this year is the ability to register online using Paypal. Registration-related questions and discount availability inquiries may be directed to Troy Bystrom at (646) 205-2723 or udpc@udpc.net.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit organizations, and individual volunteers, all of whom work and/or live within the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is co-chaired by a representative from the National Canoe Safety Patrol and from the Delaware River Basin Commission.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Announces Flood Analysis Model Status Update

05 May 2009

For Immediate Release

May 5, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that the flood analysis model being developed by an interagency team led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is now expected to be available sometime this summer.

“The USGS and its two federal partners are adapting existing model applications to develop the flood analysis model for the DRBC,” Collier said. “While all three agencies are well-versed in the use of these types of models, it is proving to be more time intensive than originally expected to represent multiple watersheds and reservoirs, each with unique characteristics, for a river system as large and diverse as the Delaware. The agencies understand the need to deliver the model as soon as possible, but this is a complex undertaking and our foremost goal is to produce a modeling tool that is scientifically sound.”

The USGS is the lead agency working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center (USACE - HEC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) to develop the model for DRBC. The model’s components include rainfall runoff, localized hydrologic conditions, and snow pack.

When completed, this tool will help the DRBC (a five-member agency comprised of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and the federal government) and the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree parties (the four basin states and New York City) to evaluate the potential impacts that different initial storage levels at 15 major reservoirs would have had on flooding at forecast points located downstream for the three storm events experienced in September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006. Model results will be among the many considerations that inform future reservoir management and policy decisions focusing on competing water storage demands in the basin.

Work on the flood analysis model began in August 2007 with $500,000 provided by the four basin state governors. Additional funds and in-kind services from USGS, NWS, and the USACE have totaled $285,000. It was among the 45 recommendations identified by the Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force, formed at the request of the four governors, in its July 2007 action agenda for a more proactive, sustainable, and systematic approach to flood damage reduction.

The DRBC was created by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information can be found on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Delaware River Recreation Maps Available For Purchase

21 Apr 2009

For Immediate Release

April 21, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) welcomes in the new recreational paddling and boating season with a reminder that its Delaware River Recreation Maps are available for purchase as a set from the commission for $25.

These popular recreation maps, published in 2007, include additional reaches of the Delaware River than the previous 1991 version, as well as updated information. The 10-section, waterproofed map set covers the river’s east and west branches prior to their confluence at Hancock, N.Y., the entire 200 mile, non-tidal reach of the river from Hancock to Trenton, N.J., and an additional 25 miles of the tidal river from Trenton to just south of the Betsy Ross Bridge (which connects Northeast Philadelphia, Pa. and Pennsauken, N.J.).

The GIS-based maps depict river channel locations and depths, access areas, places of interest, stream miles and reference points, and provide a detailed classification of streamflow characteristics in accordance with the International Canoe Federation's Scale of River Difficulty. They are intended to serve as a general guide in exploring the many recreational activities offered on the Delaware River. While these maps show updated river depths and rapids’ classifications, it is important to remember that actual river conditions may vary. DRBC encourages paddlers to be aware of current weather and river conditions and always wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

For information on how to order the recreation maps, please visit www.drbc.net or call (609) 883-9500. A portion of the proceeds will help fund the commission’s educational/outreach programs and activities.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 through compact legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), marking the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in river basin planning, regulation, and dispute resolution.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Announces Restoration Of Federal Funding Support

19 Mar 2009

For Immediate Release

March 19, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that the U.S. Congress approved legislation providing $715,000 to fulfill the federal obligation to support the commission’s current expense budget for the first time since 1996. The funding was contained in the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill signed into law by President Obama on March 11.

“This is wonderful news and the culmination of years of work by many individuals,” Collier said. “We thank all the senators and representatives who supported this legislation. In particular, we would like to recognize and thank Reps. Rush Holt (N.J.-12), Charlie Dent (Pa.-15), Maurice Hinchey (N.Y.-22), and Michael Castle (Del.-At Large), who serve as co-chairs of the Delaware River Basin Congressional Task Force, and Rep. Tim Holden (Pa.-17), who made this a top legislative priority. We also would like to thank Reps. Jim Gerlach (Pa.-6), Allyson Schwartz (Pa.-13), Robert Brady (Pa.-1), John Hall (N.Y.-19), and Christopher Carney (Pa.-10) who all supported our request with House Appropriations leadership.”

“In addition, federal funding restoration would not have been possible without the efforts of Senator Arlen Specter (Pa.), who was joined by Senators Frank Lautenberg (N.J.), Tom Carper (Del.), Charles Schumer (N.Y.), Robert Casey, Jr. (Pa.), Robert Menendez (N.J.), and former Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) in supporting our request before Senate appropriators. Vice President Joseph Biden also was a staunch advocate of funding restoration while serving as Delaware’s senior senator,” Collier added.

“On behalf of the DRBC commissioners and staff, I would also like to thank the many individuals and organizations who wrote letters and voiced their support of the commission over the years,” Collier said.

Funding also was restored to two other mid-Atlantic river basin commissions created by compact with federal membership. Like the DRBC, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) had their operating budget support from the federal government suspended since 1996. Congress had previously authorized funding for all three commissions in their respective compacts and in the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. “The three commissions worked together to reach out to their respective congressional delegations to garner support for this funding restoration effort and the DRBC is grateful to those senators and members of Congress representing the SRBC and ICPRB drainage areas who also backed the DRBC’s request,” Collier said.

The DRBC’s creation in 1961 marked the first time that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in river basin regulation, planning, development, and dispute resolution, changing the Delaware Valley from an area of conflict to a model of federal-state cooperation. Today, this contrasts sharply with cross-border water crises in other parts of the country that continue to cost the federal government millions of dollars, while tying up the federal courts in ongoing litigation and running up huge costs to the parties and states involved.

The commission serves federal, regional, state, and local interests by providing comprehensive, proactive water resources management in the Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. DRBC programs include water quality protection, monitoring and assessment, water supply allocation, flood loss reduction, drought management, water conservation initiatives, watershed planning, and habitat restoration.

Additional information can be found on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Approves New Conservation Program To Identify And Control Water Loss In The Delaware River Basin

12 Mar 2009

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier announced that the five-member agency comprised of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and the Federal Government yesterday voted at its public meeting to phase in a program requiring water suppliers to follow a revised water audit approach for identifying and controlling water loss in the Delaware River Basin.

“The commissioners believe this new water conservation approach offers an opportunity to improve water supply efficiency through a more advanced water loss accounting program,” Collier said. “This program will reduce water demand at the source, reduce treatment costs, improve system efficiency, and enhance purveyor revenue.”

An estimated 150 million gallons of treated and pressurized water is physically lost from public water supply distribution systems in the Delaware River Basin every day and current methods to account for, track, and reduce this loss are inadequate.

The purpose of the new rule is to phase in a program requiring water purveyors to perform a water audit and report their findings in accordance with a new audit structure established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the International Water Association (IWA). The new method is widely regarded as superior to the existing approach that entails tracking “unaccounted-for water,” a very broad indicator which is no longer considered best practice.

The new water audit methodology provides a rational approach that will facilitate more consistent tracking and reporting than the existing approach allows, as well as furthers the commission’s water conservation program. It will help water managers and regulators, including the DRBC, state agencies, and utility managers, target their efforts to improve water supply efficiency, thereby reducing water withdrawals.

Because this water audit approach is relatively new in a regulatory context, the regulations approved yesterday call for phased implementation. Through 2011, DRBC will promote the voluntary use of the IWA/AWWA water audit program. During this period, information will be gathered from within the basin and nationwide to assist in the establishment of performance indicators for water loss, which ultimately will replace the existing “unaccounted-for water” targets. Water purveyors will be required to perform an annual water audit conforming to the IWA/AWWA methodology beginning in calendar year 2012.

“DRBC will make every effort to contact all water systems subject to the new water audit regulation and plans to hold workshops for system operators during the phase-in period,” Collier said.

The DRBC’s Water Management Advisory Committee (WMAC), composed of representatives from a wide range of public and private sector organizations, took the lead in developing the rulemaking approved yesterday.

DRBC staff, with the support of the commissioners, participated in the effort led by the AWWA Water Loss Control Committee (WLCC) to develop new software for implementing the water audit approach. With the assistance of the WMAC, staff engaged six water purveyors from the basin in a nationwide pilot study that led to improvements in the software. This software, which is available free of charge to all users, was approved by the AWWA WLCC in March 2006 and can be accessed from its web site at www.awwa.org.

An informational meeting and public hearing on the proposed amendments were held in September 2008, and written comments were accepted through October 3, 2008.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information, including a link to the free water audit software, can be found on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Announces Delay In Delivery Of Flood Analysis Model

15 Jan 2009

For Immediate Release

January 15, 2009

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that the flood analysis model being developed by an interagency team led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will not be delivered to the DRBC this month as originally planned.

"We now expect the flood analysis model will be available around April 30," Collier said. "While the DRBC is disappointed in the delay, we are eager to utilize the information that the model will provide. We understand from the USGS that the delay is necessary to ensure that a product of the highest quality is developed."

The USGS is the primary contractor working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center (USACE - HEC) and the National Weather Service (NWS) to develop the model for DRBC.

According to the USGS, additional time is needed to calibrate the rainfall-runoff component of the model with more-detailed radar precipitation data, which are expected to provide more accurate results.

This tool will help the DRBC (a five-member agency comprised of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and the federal government) and the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree parties (the four basin states and New York City) to evaluate the potential impacts that different initial storage levels at 15 major reservoirs would have had on flooding at forecast points located downstream for the three storm events experienced in September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006.

"The knowledge and information to be learned from this computer model will be used by the DRBC and the decree parties, in conjunction with other existing models, as we consider the competing demands on basin water storage with the uncertainty of the future," Collier added. "The model's completion will not mark the end of this process, but instead allow for more informed policy decisions as we move forward."

Work on the flood analysis model began in August 2007 with $500,000 provided by the four basin state governors. Additional funds and in-kind services from USGS, NWS, and the USACE have totaled $285,000.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Releases First "State Of The Basin" Report

05 Dec 2008

For Immediate Release

December 5, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) joined with the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum today to officially release the 2008 State of the Delaware River Basin Report (State of the Basin Report), as well as reintroduce PDE’s 2008 State of the Delaware Estuary Report (Estuary Report) which was released in July.

Speakers at the joint press conference included DRBC Deputy Executive Director Robert Tudor and PDE Executive Director Jennifer Adkins. Also speaking was Gerald Kauffman, the director of the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration’s Water Resources Agency (IPA-WRA). Kauffman led a team of universities which collected and compiled data submitted to both DRBC and PDE earlier this year that was used as a baseline for their reports.

Both reports discuss the current health of the Delaware River Basin by examining the status of certain environmental conditions, as well as trends and actions needed to better monitor and improve these conditions in the future. The two reports provide a baseline analysis to help answer the question: Are things better or worse in the Delaware River Basin, and are the goals set forth in DRBC’s 2004 Water Resources Plan for the Delaware River Basin (Basin Plan) and the PDE’s 1996 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) viable and being achieved?

“The general assessment is that the answer to this question is both yes and no,” Tudor said. “While there are some conditions in the basin and estuary that have improved over time and are on a positive trend, there are others that have worsened, as well as some that have remained static. Furthermore, while some goals in the plans have been attained, the reports highlight that more work needs to be done. Such progress will be tracked in subsequent analyses and through additional or enhanced monitoring programs. For water resource managers and policy makers, it is important to look at the basin both as a holistic system and as a sum of its inter-related parts in order to effectively improve its overall health and vitality.”

DRBC’s State of the Delaware River Basin Report serves as a benchmark of current conditions and provides a platform for measuring and reporting future progress. It is meant to be a companion to the 1981 Level B Study, which was the last comprehensive assessment of water resource issues in the basin, and a point of reference for gauging implementation status of the water resource management goals listed in the 30-year Basin Plan completed in 2004.

“Our federal and state commissioners directed the preparation of this periodic environmental condition report when they endorsed the principles, goals, and objectives set forth in the Basin Plan,” Tudor said. “The desired conditions listed in the State of the Basin Report link to specific Basin Plan goals and the collaboration that occurred to produce this report satisfies additional goals in support of institutional coordination and cooperation.”

The State of the Basin Report catalogs specific indicators, or measurements of environmental conditions, on which data were readily available and assembles them into four categories: hydrology, water quality, living resources, and landscape. Each of the 37 indicators – for example, water use, dissolved oxygen, horseshoe crabs, and wetlands – is discussed in terms of current status and trend (positive, negative, or static) toward a desired condition, as well as future actions and needs necessary to achieve that desired condition. The report also includes features on burgeoning issues such as climate change, emerging contaminants, invasive species, and the valuation of natural landscapes. It concludes with a summary of all conditions and recommendations for future monitoring and reporting. Updating this comprehensive report is planned every five years.

The State of the Delaware Estuary Report specifically examines the portion of the Delaware Basin where the fresh water of the Delaware River mixes with the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean, and includes the Delaware Bay and tidal river upstream to Trenton, N.J., as well as its surrounding drainage area. This Estuary Report, and the earlier one issued in 2002, tracks the progress that has been made toward implementing the 1996 CCMP, which is PDE’s long-term plan.

A total of 26 indicators were examined in the 2008 Estuary Report based on the availability of data and the capability of these indicators to explain current conditions and future needs. The method used to illustrate current status, trends, and actions and needs is similar to that used in the State of the Basin Report. Examples of estuary indicators are population, land use, nutrients, blue crabs, and salinity. “The Delaware Estuary is both a living and working estuary,” Adkins said. “Managing it is a delicate balance we and many others are working hard to preserve and perfect.”

DRBC and PDE collaborated with one another, as well as with state and federal agencies, universities, and advisory committees, to prepare both reports. Data were shared, assembled, and assessed among the partners, who also provided technical review. A portion of the funding for the State of the Basin Report came from the William Penn Foundation as part of the original grant for the Basin Plan. Additional monies were provided by DRBC, and substantial in-kind support was provided by university and state and federal agency partners. Funding for the Estuary Report came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Estuary Program.

The State of the Basin Report is available on the DRBC web site at www.drbc.net. The Estuary Report can be found on the PDE web site at www.DelawareEstuary.org, where information also is available about the upcoming Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit, Planning for Tomorrow’s Delaware Estuary, January 11-14, 2009, in Cape May, N.J. To view the IPA-WRA’s report, Technical Summary: State of the Delaware Basin Report, please visit the University of Delaware's web site. Hard copies of each report can be requested from the appropriate agency. For additional information on the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, one of only a few urban national wildlife refuges in the country, please visit http://www.fws.gov/northeast/heinz/.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 through compact legislation signed into law by President Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania), marking the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in river basin planning, regulation, and dispute resolution.

The PDE, a National Estuary Program based in Wilmington, Del., leads collaborative and creative efforts to protect and enhance the Delaware Estuary and its tributaries for current and future generations. It envisions everyone working together to make the Delaware Estuary the most inviting, prosperous, and healthy natural resource of its kind in the nation.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205

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DRBC Expected To Withdraw Proposed Water Code Amendments Related To The Flexible Flow Management Program

25 Nov 2008

For Immediate Release

November 25, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that the five-member agency comprised of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and the Federal Government is expected to withdraw its proposed regulations to codify the Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP) at its public meeting on December 10, 2008.

The regulations were proposed in December 2007 to codify an agreement that was unanimously approved on September 26, 2007 by the Parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree (Decree Parties) for operation of the three New York City (NYC) Delaware Basin reservoirs through May 31, 2011.

While no action to approve the Water Code amendments is scheduled for the December 10 public meeting, a discussion of future steps concerning the Water Code and a status report on the FFMP are on the agenda for the informal morning conference that precedes the Commission's afternoon business meeting. The conference session will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the DRBC's office building, located at 25 State Police Drive, in West Trenton, N.J. Both the morning session and the 1:30 p.m. business meeting are open to the public. In accordance with the Delaware River Basin Compact, the statute that created the Commission, the DRBC cannot take action except at a public meeting.

"After considering the 1,900 comments received during the public comment period and in consultation with the Decree Parties, the Commission is expected to withdraw the proposed regulations published on December 3, 2007 and to direct staff to develop new proposed amendments to the Water Code aimed at facilitating adaptive water resources management within a regulatory framework," Collier said.

The proposed new amendments to the Water Code, which will not be released before the summer of 2009, will provide for flexibility in addressing additional data and information as it becomes available from a variety of sources, including:

the flood analysis model currently being developed for the Commission by the combined efforts of the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and National Weather Service;
the OASIS model (a water resources planning tool) updated with data through September 2006;
the results of ongoing studies scheduled to be concluded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the spring of 2009 on the habitat needs of the dwarf wedgemussel, a federally protected endangered species found in the Upper Delaware Basin;
experience gained over the past year of FFMP operation; and,
comments received on the proposed Water Code amendments during the public comment period which ended on March 3, 2008.

The Commission will conduct another full notice and comment rulemaking process, including a public hearing, on the proposed new Water Code amendments. The new amendments will contain standards for operation of the NYC Delaware Basin reservoirs but will be less prescriptive than previous proposals, which included detailed operational requirements. The amendments will allow for flexible, timely adjustments to reflect real-time conditions and new information, including the annual review of FFMP implementation, modeling simulations, and other sources. Such adjustments may include modifications to the release schedules to reflect climactic, river flow and temperature conditions, as well as short-term operating changes to accommodate maintenance and repair needs on a timely basis. The anticipated rule proposal will provide for public notice and comment with respect to any major modifications of the reservoir operating program.

The FFMP agreement reached by the Parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree (Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and New York City) continues to be implemented on a temporary basis by the Decree Parties through May 2011 and can be viewed on the Delaware River Master’s web site at http://water.usgs.gov/osw/odrm/. The Decree Party's FFMP agreement was developed to provide a more adaptive means than the previous operating regime for managing the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs for competing uses, including: water supply; drought management; flood mitigation; protection of the tailwaters fishery; a diverse array of habitat needs in the main stem river, estuary, and bay; recreation; and salinity repulsion. The 1954 Supreme Court Decree, which resolved an interstate water dispute centering on the three NYC reservoirs, made no provision for spill mitigation, conservation or ecological releases.

The conceptual framework of the FFMP agreement largely eliminates the reservoir storage "banks" previously used for habitat protection purposes and instead bases releases on storage levels, resulting in larger releases when water is abundant and smaller releases when storage is at or below normal. Its spill mitigation component is intended to reduce the likelihood that the three reservoirs could be full and spilling coincident with a major storm or thaw.

The law creating the DRBC gives the Commission the power to allocate the waters of the basin, but prohibits it from adversely affecting any condition set forth in the 1954 Decree, including the New York City reservoir releases or diversions that the Decree established, without the unanimous consent of the five Decree Parties.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the Federal Government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional information can be found on the Commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC To Hold Informational Meeting And Public Hearing On New Water Accountability Proposal

08 Sep 2008

For Immediate Release

September 8, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold an informational meeting and a public hearing in September on proposed rulemaking to phase in a requirement for water purveyors to follow a revised water audit approach for identifying and controlling water loss.

The informational meeting on this proposal will take place on Wednesday, September 10 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the DRBC’s office building, located at 25 State Police Drive in West Trenton, N.J. This public meeting will include presentations by DRBC staff as well as a question and answer period.

The public hearing to receive comments on the proposed rulemaking will be held on Thursday, September 25 at the DRBC’s office building in West Trenton, N.J. beginning at 1:30 p.m. and continuing until all those who wish to testify have the opportunity to do so. Those who wish to testify are encouraged to register in advance by phoning Paula Schmitt at 609-883-9500, ext. 224.

The purpose of the proposed amendments is to phase in a program requiring water purveyors to perform a water audit and report their findings in accordance with a new audit structure established by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the International Water Association (IWA). These new methods are widely regarded as superior to the existing approach that entails tracking “unaccounted for water,” which is no longer considered best practice.

The new water audit methodology provides a rational approach that will facilitate more consistent tracking and reporting than the existing approach allows. It will help water managers and regulators, including the DRBC, state agencies, and utility managers, target their efforts to improve water supply efficiency, thereby reducing water withdrawals.

The proposed rule changes also require changes in the way data pertaining to water loss are collected by the state agencies and shared with DRBC.

Because the water audit approach is relatively new in a regulatory context, the proposed amendments call for phased implementation. Until 2011, DRBC will promote the voluntary use of the IWA/AWWA water audit program. During this period, information will be gathered from within the basin and nationwide to assist in the establishment of performance indicators for water loss, which ultimately will replace the “unaccounted for water” targets. If approved as proposed, water purveyors would be required to perform an annual water audit conforming to the IWA/AWWA methodology beginning in calendar year 2012.

The DRBC’s Water Management Advisory Committee, composed of representatives from a wide range of public and private sector organizations, took the lead in developing the proposed rulemaking.

Written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2008, and should be mailed to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Comments also may be faxed to “Attn: Commission Secretary” at (609) 883-9522 or emailed to paula.schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us. All written comments should include the commenter’s name, address, and affiliation, if any, and “Water Audit” in the subject line.

The full text of the proposed rule changes is available on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

* * *

Contacts:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260
Kate O'Hara, (609) 883-9500 ext. 205

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DRBC Votes To Protect Lower Delaware Water Quality

17 Jul 2008

For Immediate Release

July 17, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier announced that the commissioners on July 16 permanently designated the Lower Delaware as Significant Resource Waters under DRBC's Special Protection Waters (SPW) program.

The unanimous action taken at the commission's public business meeting establishes numeric values for existing water quality in the 76-mile-long stretch of river extending from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area downstream to the head of tide at Trenton, N.J. It also expands coverage of the DRBC's SPW anti-degradation regulations to include the entire 197-mile non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. south to Trenton.

"This permanent designation clearly demonstrates the DRBC's long-term objective of keeping our clean water clean by ensuring that future discharges to the Lower Delaware will have no measurable change on existing high water quality," Collier said. "We believe this action, along with the previous SPW designations, establishes the longest stretch of anti-degradation policy on any river in the nation."

The SPW program is designed to prevent degradation in streams and rivers considered to have exceptionally high scenic, recreational, ecological, and/or water supply values through stricter control of wastewater discharges and reporting requirements. The initial SPW regulations adopted in 1992 focused on controlling point (or end-of-pipe) sources of pollution to maintain existing high water quality. In 1994, the regulations were amended to add language dealing with the complex issue of non-point source pollutants that are found in runoff, especially after heavy rains.

The July 16 rulemaking decision has been years in the making, beginning with the efforts leading up to President Bill Clinton signing legislation into law adding key segments of the Lower Delaware and selected tributaries to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in November 2000. This federal designation was followed in April 2001 with a petition from the Delaware Riverkeeper Network to classify the Lower Delaware as Special Protection Waters. Extensive data were collected from 2000 through 2004, which confirmed that existing water quality in this stretch of river exceeded most state and federal standards, and an eligibility report was issued by DRBC in August 2004.

The Lower Delaware has been temporarily classified as Significant Resource Waters by DRBC since January 2005, making it subject to all SPW regulations except those that stipulate the use of numeric values for existing water quality. The temporary designation was made pending a determination of the numeric values, evaluation of options for implementing the rule, consideration of rule clarifications needed to ensure the program's uniform application in all areas of the basin that drain to SPW, and rulemaking to adopt the amendments to DRBC's Water Quality Regulations that are needed to fully implement the program.

The notice of proposed rulemaking leading up to the July 16, 2008 action was published September 28, 2007 on the commission's web site, and appeared in federal and state registers in early October 2007. Two informational meetings took place on October 25 in Stockton, N.J. and on November 1 in Easton, Pa. A public hearing followed on December 4 at the DRBC’s headquarters in West Trenton, N.J. and written public comments were accepted through December 6.

As adopted, the rule requires new or expanding facilities to demonstrate that their discharges will not cause measurable change to existing water quality. In response to concerns raised during the public comment period, the adopted rulemaking clarified language, in particular relating to the circumstances under which wastewater facilities must employ nondischarge alternatives or natural treatment technologies and how they must demonstrate that they will cause no measurable change. It was noted at the July 16 meeting that the clarifications were consistent with the overall goal of "no measurable change except to natural conditions" and with provisions applicable to already designated SPW areas upstream of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

The commission plans to hold informational workshops explaining the rulemaking later this year, but the dates and locations have yet to be determined.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the federal government. Its members include the four governors and a federal representative appointed by the president. The creation of the commission marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

Additional SPW information is available on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Kate O'Hara, (609) 883-9500 ext. 205

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Event To Commemorate 40th Anniversary Of The Wild And Scenic Rivers Program

25 Jun 2008

For Immediate Release

June 25, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- N.J. State Senator Leonard Lance (District 23), Hunterdon County (N.J.) Freeholder and Frenchtown Mayor Ron Sworen, and Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt, along with representatives from the offices of U.S. Congressmen Rush Holt (N.J.-12) and Pa. State Senator Charles McIlhinney, Jr. (District 10), will join National Park Service Manager of the Partnership National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Charles Barscz, Jr. and members of the Wild and Scenic Lower Delaware River Management Committee at an event to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. In addition, representatives from several local organizations and agencies, all of whom were influential in getting certain sections of the Delaware River designated wild and scenic, will be on hand to say a few words about this important national program and what it means to the Delaware River and its watershed.

PHOTO OP

WHEN?    Friday, June 27, 2008; 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

WHERE?   Giving Pond Recreation Area – Delaware Canal State Park
               1136 River Road
               Upper Black Eddy, Pa.

DIRECTIONS: The Giving Pond Recreation Area is on River Rd. (PA Rte. 32) between the Frenchtown, N.J./Uhlerstown, Pa. and the Milford, N.J./Upper Black Eddy, Pa. river bridges. Due to ongoing construction on River Rd./Rte. 32, it is advisable to travel through New Jersey via Rte. 29. Take the Frenchtown, N.J./Uhlerstown, Pa. Bridge, turn right onto River Rd., and go 0.9 mi; the Giving Pond parking lot will be on your left. Or, take the Milford, N.J./Upper Black Eddy, Pa. Bridge, turn left onto River Rd., and go 2.4 mi; the Giving Pond parking lot will be on your right.

VISUALS: In addition to the speakers, there will be the opportunity to photograph/videotape 2008 Delaware River Sojourn participants launch from the Giving Pond Access to begin their Day 6 paddle to Point Pleasant, Pa.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, 609-883-9500 ext. 205

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Registrations Still Being Accepted For The 2008 Delaware River Sojourn

17 Jun 2008

For Immediate Release

June 17, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the 14th annual Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from Sunday, June 22 through Saturday, June 28. The sojourn combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more.

The theme for this year’s sojourn is “Conserving Our Wild and Scenic River” to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Three-quarters of the non-tidal Delaware River, along with portions of several river and bay tributaries, are included in this national system. A short program celebrating this anniversary will take place on Friday, June 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Giving Pond Recreation Area in Upper Black Eddy, Pa.

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills, and daily distances will range from six to 14 miles. Sojourners may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but aluminum canoes are not recommended.

The $70 per person daily registration fee ($50 for children age 15 and under) covers the guided river trip, canoe/kayak rental (if needed), shuttle transportation, educational programs, certain meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. An additional one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event.

Detailed information, including registration forms and day plans, is available on the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Registration questions may be directed to Andy Desko at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) by phone (570-828-2319) or email (andrew.desko@gmail.com). Contact Bonnie Tobin at btobin@state.pa.us for information about a limited number of scholarships for first-time paddlers.

Interested parties may fax their registration information to PEEC at 570-828-9695 from June 20 until two days prior to the day participants wish to paddle, with their cash or check payment (no credit cards) collected at that morning’s check-in. Additionally, a limited amount of “walk-in” registrants will be accepted on the morning of each sojourn day, provided that space is still available on the trip.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year’s committee is chaired by Bonnie Tobin, Environmental Education Specialist Supervisor at Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal State Park.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

14th Annual Delaware River Sojourn June 22-28, 2008

09 Jun 2008

For Immediate Release

May 22, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The 2008 Delaware River Sojourn will be held from Sunday, June 22 through Saturday, June 28. This annual event, which combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more, marks its fourteenth year in 2008 and has the distinction of being one of the oldest river sojourns in the nation.

The theme for this year's journey, “Conserving Our Wild and Scenic River,” commemorates the 40th anniversary of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, which protects certain rivers and their immediate environments for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. This law made possible the Upper and Middle Delaware's Wild and Scenic designation, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, as well as the action taken in 2000 to add key segments of the Lower Delaware to the national system. In all, three-quarters of the non-tidal Delaware River, along with portions of several tributaries to the main stem river and bay, are currently designated wild and scenic.

The sojourn is suitable for people of all ages and with varying paddling skills. Participants may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. This year, over 60 miles of the main stem Delaware River will be paddled, split into daily trips ranging from six to fourteen miles, and will include the following stretches:

Sunday, June 22: Narrowsburg (N.Y.) to Ten Mile River (N.Y.)
Monday, June 23: Callicoon (N.Y.) to Narrowsburg
Tuesday, June 24: Milford Beach (Pa.) to Dingmans Ferry (Pa.)
Wednesday, June 25: Smithfield Beach (Pa.) to Driftstone (Pa.)
Thursday, June 26: Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area Access (Pa.) to Giving Pond (Pa.)
Friday, June 27: Giving Pond to Point Pleasant (Pa.)
Saturday, June 28: Quaker Penn Park (Pa.) to Matinicunk (a.k.a. Burlington) Island (N.J.)

An early bird fee of $60 per person per day is being offered to participants 16 and older ($40 for children 15 and under) if they are registered prior to June 1; after June 1, the daily price for participants 16 and older is $70 per person ($50 for children 15 and under). As a way to encourage more families to participate, the pricing schedule has been changed this year allowing paddling children 15 and under to be eligible for the reduced fee. Previously, only non-paddling children 12 and under riding in their parents’ canoe were entitled to receive the discount.

Registration fees cover the guided river trip, canoe or kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, certain meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. In addition to the daily fee, a one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event. A limited number of scholarships are available for first-time paddlers. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but please note that aluminum canoes are not recommended.

Space is limited, so please register early! Detailed information, including registration materials, itineraries, and more, is available on the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Registration-related questions may be directed to the Pocono Environmental Education Center at (570) 828-2319; scholarship inquiries may be directed to Bonnie Tobin at btobin@state.pa.us.

The purpose of the sojourn is to heighten awareness of, and appreciation for, the ecological, historical, and recreational significance of the Delaware River, which is the longest, un-dammed river east of the Mississippi. The Delaware stretches 330 miles from the confluence of its East and West branches in Hancock, N.Y. to the mouth of the Delaware Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.

In 2008, the sojourn is pleased to announce that it has formed a media partnership with WDIY 88.1 FM Lehigh Valley Community Public Radio. It is hoped that this partnership to promote the sojourn will encourage more people to get out on the river and discover its natural beauty first-hand, as well as foster environmental stewardship for this great resource.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is chaired by a representative from Pennsylvania's Delaware Canal State Park.

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Notifies Company That Water Used For Developing Natural Gas Wells In Delaware River Basin Needs Approval

09 Jun 2008

For Immediate Release

June 9, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that it has informed Stone Energy Corporation that it will need to apply for and receive approval from the commission before it can extract natural gas in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

In her June 6 letter to the company, DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier wrote, “We understand the project to include among other things water withdrawals, the addition of chemicals to the water, the injection of the water into the ground and the recovery, storage, reuse and/or disposal of the water.” The letter goes on to say that in accordance with the Delaware River Basin Compact and the DRBC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, “a project sponsor may not commence any withdrawal of ground or surface water from the basin, drill any well, construct any impoundment or other associated appurtenances, discharge to the ground waters or surface waters of the basin or otherwise undertake the project until the sponsor has applied for and received approval from the commission.”

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, one of the DRBC’s five members, notified the commission about this proposal to extract gas from the Marcellus Shale formation in Clinton and Mount Pleasant townships. The project is located within the boundaries of the Delaware River Basin.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Pa. DEP) has advised the commission that it will be requiring all natural gas drillers to obtain DRBC or Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) approval as a condition of Pa. DEP-issued permits for projects in those two basins. Furthermore, drillers will be required to obtain DRBC or SRBC approvals prior to the initiation of any activities.

The DRBC is in discussions with New York State, also a commission member, regarding well drilling operations in that state.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

DRBC web site: www.drbc.net

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Extends Comment Period On Proposed Rulemaking For New York City Delaware Basin Reservoirs Management Plan

17 Jan 2008

For Immediate Release

January 17, 2008

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that the period for submitting written comments on proposed regulations to implement a Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP) for operation of the three New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs will be extended through March 3, 2008. The comment period was to have ended on January 18.

"The 45-day extension is in response to numerous requests voiced at DRBC public hearings held yesterday in West Trenton on the proposed amendments," Collier said. "This will provide additional time for the public and government officials just taking office to study the proposed rulemaking and offer written comments."

Comments should be mailed to Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. They also may be faxed to "Attn: Commission Secretary" at (609) 883-9522 or emailed to paula.schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us. All written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on March 3 and should include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter, along with "FFMP" in the subject line. Comments on the earlier FFMP agreement published in February 2007 but subsequently withdrawn will be included in the administrative record for this action and need not be resubmitted.

The proposed regulations are consistent with provisions of a September 26, 2007 agreement unanimously reached by the parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree that provides a comprehensive framework for addressing multiple flow management objectives.

The FFMP is intended to provide a more adaptive means for managing the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs for competing uses including: water supply; drought management; flood mitigation; protection of the tailwaters fishery; a diverse array of habitat needs in the main stem river, estuary, and bay; recreation; and salinity repulsion. The 1954 decree, which resolved an interstate water dispute centering on the New York City reservoirs, made no provision for spill mitigation, conservation or ecological releases.

The law creating the DRBC gives the commission the power to allocate the waters of the basin, but prohibits it from adversely affecting the New York City reservoir releases or diversions as provided in the 1954 decree without the unanimous consent of the five decree parties.

The parties to the 1954 Supreme Court decree include Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and New York City. The members of the DRBC are the four basin states and the federal government.

The September 2007 FFMP agreement reached by the decree parties is being implemented on a temporary basis by New York State and New York City, in coordination with the Delaware River Master appointed under the decree, while DRBC conducts its notice and comment rulemaking process.

The FFMP would largely eliminate the reservoir storage "banks" previously used for habitat protection purposes and instead base releases on storage levels, resulting in larger releases when water is abundant and smaller releases when storage is at or below normal.

The FFMP agreement's spill mitigation component is intended to reduce the likelihood that the three reservoirs could be full and spilling coincident with a major storm or thaw. It does not include specified void targets or permanent voids.

Additional information can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Publishes Proposed Rulemaking On New York City Delaware Basin Reservoirs Management Plan

03 Dec 2007

For Immediate Release

December 3, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier announced the schedule for informational meetings and a public hearing to be held on proposed regulations published today to implement a Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP) for operation of the three New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs.

Informational meetings on the proposed amendments will be held December 18, 2007 at the Best Western Inn at Hunt's Landing, 120 Routes 6 and 209, in Matamoras, Pa. and on January 8, 2008 at the offices of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP, 1650 Arch Street, 26^th Floor Meeting Room, in Philadelphia, Pa. (easily accessible from Suburban Station on SEPTA's regional rail line). The times for both locations will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Each informational meeting will include a presentation followed by a question and answer period.

The public hearing to receive comments on the proposed rulemaking will take place January 16, 2008 at the West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company, 40 West Upper Ferry Road, in West Trenton, N.J., from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (or until all those who wish to testify have had an opportunity to do so). A brief informational presentation will precede public testimony at both sessions.

"The proposed amendments to the DRBC's Water Code and Comprehensive Plan published today on the commission's web site are consistent with provisions of a September 26 agreement unanimously reached by the parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree that provides a comprehensive framework for addressing multiple flow management objectives," Collier said.

The FFMP agreement reached by the decree parties on September 26 is being implemented on a temporary basis by New York State and New York City, in coordination with the Delaware River Master appointed under the decree, while DRBC conducts its notice and comment rulemaking process. The previous interim fishery releases program and temporary spill mitigation program both expired on September 30.

"Based on the public comments received during the rulemaking process, the DRBC may modify its proposed regulations and request that the decree parties consent to adoption of the final regulations," Collier said. "I encourage all interested members of the public to fully participate in the administrative process in order to help obtain the best result that balances the competing demands on water."

Written comments will be accepted through the close of business on January 18, 2008, and should be mailed to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Comments also may be faxed to "Attn: Commission Secretary" at (609) 883-9522 or emailed to paula.schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us. All written comments should include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter, along with "FFMP" in the subject line. Comments on the earlier FFMP agreement that was published in February 2007 but subsequently withdrawn by the decree parties will be included in the administrative record for this action and need not be resubmitted.

The complete public rulemaking notice, including a summary of the proposed amendments, the text of the proposed rule, and directions to the public meetings/hearing, along with additional information, can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC To Hold Informational Meeting In Easton, Pa. On Proposed Rulemaking To Protect Lower Delaware Water Quality

22 Oct 2007

For Immediate Release

October 22, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, November 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on proposed regulatory changes to permanently designate the Lower Delaware and its drainage area as Significant Resource Waters under DRBC’s Special Protection Waters (SPW) program.

The meeting will take place in Room 315 of the Acopian Engineering Building on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. and will include presentations by DRBC staff as well as a question and answer period.

The proposed changes would include establishing numeric values for existing water quality in the 76-mile-long stretch of river extending from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area downstream to the head of tide at Trenton, N.J. Another informational meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 25 at the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission’s office located at the Prallsville Mill Complex, Route 29, in Stockton, N.J.

“If adopted, this rulemaking will protect the existing high water quality in the Lower Delaware River and expand the coverage of the commission’s SPW anti-degradation regulations to encompass the entire 197-mile non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. to Trenton,” DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. “This clearly demonstrates the DRBC’s long-term objective of keeping our clean water clean.”

A public hearing on the proposed rulemaking will take place on Tuesday, December 4 at the DRBC’s office building, located at 25 State Police Drive in West Trenton, N.J.; the hearing will begin at 2:30 p.m. and continue until all those who wish to testify have the opportunity to do so. Those who wish to testify are encouraged to register in advance by phoning (609) 883-9500 ext. 224. Written public comments will be accepted through the close of business on Thursday, December 6 and may be submitted by email, fax, U.S. Mail, or overnight mail.

The full text of the proposed rule changes, instructions for submitting written comments, and additional SPW information are available on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Kate O'Hara, (609) 883-9500 ext. 205

* * *

DRBC To Hold Informational Meeting In Stockton, N.J. On Proposed Rulemaking To Protect Lower Delaware Water Quality

16 Oct 2007

For Immediate Release

October 16, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold an informational meeting on Thursday, October 25 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on proposed regulatory changes to permanently designate the Lower Delaware and its drainage area as Significant Resource Waters under DRBC’s Special Protection Waters (SPW) program.

The meeting will take place at the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission’s office located at the Prallsville Mill Complex, Route 29, in Stockton, N.J. and will include presentations by DRBC staff as well as a question and answer period.

The proposed changes would include establishing numeric values for existing water quality in the 76-mile-long stretch of river extending from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area downstream to the head of tide at Trenton, N.J. Another informational meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, November 1 in Room 315 of the Acopian Engineering Building on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton, Pa.

The full text of the proposed rule changes, instructions for submitting written comments, and additional SPW information are available on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Kate O'Hara, (609) 883-9500 ext. 205

* * *

DRBC To Begin Public Rulemaking Process On Proposed Management Program For The New York City Delaware Basin Reservoirs

02 Oct 2007

For Immediate Release

October 2, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at its September 26 meeting directed commission staff to begin the public rulemaking process to implement an amended Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP) for operation of the three New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs.

“Since the five parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree reached unanimous agreement on a revised FFMP, the commissioners have authorized me to begin the public process over the coming weeks that would incorporate the FFMP into the commission’s rules and regulations,” DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. “The next steps will be to draft and publish proposed rule changes to implement the FFMP, hold informational meetings and public hearings, review the public comments received, make possible modifications to the proposed rules, and adopt final regulations. Our target is to complete the process by May 2008.”

“The law creating the DRBC gives the commission the power to allocate the waters of the basin, but prohibits it from adversely affecting the reservoir releases or diversions provided in the 1954 decree without the unanimous consent of the five decree parties,” Collier added.

The proposed regulations along with the dates of the upcoming public meetings and hearings will be posted on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net as soon as they are available.

The FFMP is intended to provide a more adaptive means for managing the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs for multiple, competing uses, including water supply and drought mitigation, management of the reservoir tailwater fisheries along with other habitat needs, and spill mitigation. The 1954 decree, which resolved an interstate water dispute centering on the city reservoirs, made no provision for spill mitigation, conservation or ecological releases.

The FFMP agreement reached by the decree parties will be implemented on a temporary basis by New York State and New York City, in coordination with the Delaware River Master appointed under the decree, beginning on October 1, while DRBC conducts the public comment and rulemaking process. The previous interim fishery releases program and temporary spill mitigation program expired on September 30.

A central feature of the fishery management program that had previously been in effect was the creation of reservoir storage “banks” to be used for narrowly defined purposes under specific hydrologic and temperature conditions at certain times of the year.

The FFMP would largely eliminate the use of banks and instead base releases on reservoir storage levels, resulting in larger releases when water is abundant and smaller releases when storage is at or below normal. This approach would more closely approximate natural flows and provide more gradual transitions from higher to lower releases, which has been a concern voiced in the past by Upper Delaware anglers.

The FFMP agreement’s spill mitigation component is intended to reduce the likelihood that the three reservoirs could be full and spilling coincident with a major storm or thaw. It does not include specified void targets.

An earlier FFMP proposal was published in February 2007. That draft resulted in over 400 comments received from approximately 120 agencies, organizations, elected officials, and private citizens. The decree parties decided to withdraw that version from receiving further DRBC consideration and resumed negotiations, taking under advisement the comments received. Those deliberations concluded with the current version that was unanimously agreed to on the morning of September 26 just prior to the afternoon commission meeting.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

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Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

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DRBC Proposes Permanent Designation To Protect Lower Delaware Water Quality

01 Oct 2007

For Immediate Release

October 1, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced proposed regulatory changes to permanently designate the Lower Delaware and its drainage area as Significant Resource Waters under the commission’s Special Protection Waters (SPW) program. This would include establishing numeric values for existing water quality in the 76-mile-long stretch of river extending from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area downstream to the head of tide at Trenton, N.J.

“If adopted, this rulemaking will protect the existing high water quality in the Lower Delaware River and expand the coverage of the commission’s SPW anti-degradation regulations to encompass the entire 197-mile non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y to Trenton,” Collier said. “This clearly demonstrates the DRBC’s long-term objective of keeping our clean water clean.”

The first of two informational meetings on this proposal will take place on Thursday, October 25 at the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission’s office located at the Prallsville Mill Complex, Route 29, in Stockton, N.J. A second meeting is scheduled on Thursday, November 1 in Room 315 of the Acopian Engineering Building on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. Both public meetings will held from 7 to 9 p.m. and include presentations by DRBC staff on the proposed rule changes as well as a question and answer period.

A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 4 at the DRBC’s office building, located at 25 State Police Drive in West Trenton, N.J.; the hearing will begin at 2:30 p.m. and continue until all those who wish to testify have the opportunity to do so. Those who wish to testify are encouraged to register in advance. Written public comments will be accepted through the close of business on Thursday, December 6 and may be submitted by email, fax, U.S. Mail, or overnight mail.

The Lower Delaware has been temporarily classified as Significant Resource Waters since January 2005, making it subject to all SPW regulations except those that stipulate the use of numeric values for existing water quality. The commissioners at their September 26, 2007 meeting approved an extension of this temporary designation until May 15, 2008 to allow adequate time to complete the proposed rulemaking and public comment process now underway.

The SPW program is designed to prevent degradation in streams and rivers considered to have exceptionally high scenic, recreational, ecological, and/or water supply values through stricter water quality standards and reporting requirements. The initial SPW regulations adopted in 1992 focused on controlling point (or end-of-pipe) sources of pollution to maintain existing high water quality. In 1994, the regulations were amended to add language dealing with the complex issue of non-point source pollutants that are found in runoff, especially after heavy rains.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the federal government. Its members include the four governors and a federal representative appointed by the president. The creation of the commission marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

The full text of the proposed rule changes and additional SPW information are available on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact:
Kate O'Hara, (609) 883-9500 ext. 205

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DRBC Executive Director Participates In Announcement Of Schuylkill Watershed Restoration Program Grant Recipients

23 Aug 2007

For Immediate Release

August 23, 2007

(HAMBURG, Pa.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol Collier participated yesterday, August 22, in an event announcing the three projects to receive grants totaling $250,275 from the 2007 Exelon Schuylkill River Watershed Restoration Program.

The grant recipients are:

The Berks County Conservancy - $98,500 for work to implement agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on two county farms located on Schuylkill River tributaries.
The Delaware Riverkeeper Network - $90,634 for work on a Berks County farm located along Mill Creek; the project includes streambank stabilization as well as the addition of riparian buffer, fencing, and cattle crossings.
The Schuylkill Headwaters Association - $61,141 to upgrade three abandoned/acid mine drainage (AMD) remediation systems in the headwaters of the Schuylkill River in Schuylkill County.

“These three projects will help to correct water quality problems resulting from agricultural runoff, eroding stream banks, and abandoned mine drainage into the Schuylkill River and its tributaries, which provide drinking water to 1.5 million people,” Collier said. “Working to improve water quality throughout the Schuylkill Watershed is important to all who live, work, visit, and recreate within its boundaries and to those downstream, as the Schuylkill is the Delaware River’s largest tributary. The Exelon Schuylkill River Watershed Restoration Program demonstrates the value of partnering to realize this shared goal.”

In addition to Collier, speakers included Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area (SRHA) Executive Director Kurt Zwikl and Exelon Nuclear Limerick Generating Station (LGS) Vice President Chris Mudrick. SRHA, a non-profit organization, was chosen by Exelon in 2006 to oversee and distribute the funds from the restoration program. Pa. State Senator James J. Rhoades’ Chief of Staff Champ Holman also gave remarks.

The announcement took place at the Harold Adam Farm in Hamburg, which received a grant during the first year of the program in 2006. Participants had the opportunity to tour the farm and observe property improvements such as the addition of cattle crossings, streambank fencing, and riparian buffers. The project was completed in the spring of 2007 and highlights how the implementation of these agricultural BMPs can effectively reduce detrimental runoff to a receiving stream, thus improving its water quality.

The Exelon Schuylkill River Watershed Restoration Program resulted from a 2004 DRBC decision to approve Exelon’s application for an opportunity to demonstrate that greater operational flexibility with respect to providing its consumptive cooling water needs at its nuclear-powered LGS would not cause negative environmental impacts to the Schuylkill River. Exelon’s contribution to the restoration program is based on the amount of water that is not required to be pumped from the Delaware River to LGS for consumptive cooling purposes during the demonstration period. Additional information about the demonstration project can be found at www.drbc.net.

A committee comprised of representatives from the DRBC, Exelon, SRHA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Philadelphia Water Department review grant applications and select the recipients subject to the approval of the DRBC executive director.

Each selected project targets a source of water quality impairment in the Schuylkill River Watershed, and when implemented, will benefit the Schuylkill’s overall ecology. Unrestricted agricultural runoff adds excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as animal waste and other chemicals to waterways, resulting in elevated concentrations of bacteria, reduced levels of dissolved oxygen, and increased amounts of pollution. Additionally, AMD is considered the largest source of stream impairment in the Upper Schuylkill Watershed, adding pollutants to headwater tributaries as well as increasing pH and alkalinity to these waters.

Interest has been expressed to expand the restoration grant program, now funded entirely by Exelon, to include other corporations, utilities, and/or industries in future years.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Marks Completion Of First Phase Of DRBC Stormwater Demonstration Project

18 Jul 2007

For Immediate Release

July 18, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today celebrated the completion of the first phase of an ongoing effort to demonstrate how an older site can be transformed (or retrofitted) to properly handle stormwater, a continuing source of flooding and water quality impairment.

Participants in the ribbon cutting ceremony included DRBC Chair Cathy Curran Myers, Pa. Gov. Edward Rendell's representative on the federal-interstate commission; Vice Chair Michele Putnam representing N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine; Second Vice Chair Mark Klotz representing N.Y. Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Harry Otto representing Del. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, Lt. Col. Gwen Baker representing federal government member Brig. Gen. Todd Semonite, and DRBC Executive Director Carol Collier.

"The existing office building and five-acre site is representative of the land development practices of the 1970s with essentially no stormwater management except the immediate transport of runoff offsite through pipes or over paved surfaces," Collier said. "As a leader in water resource management, we felt it was appropriate for the DRBC to set a good example on how to control runoff and provide on-the-ground examples of different stormwater best management practices, or BMPs. When the three-phase master plan is completed, the DRBC headquarters site will serve as a model demonstration of innovative methods and materials for stormwater management and use of runoff as a resource, while working with existing site conditions."

Funding for the construction of the first phase at the front entrance to the property was obtained through a federal Section 319(h) grant administered by the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The remaining phases must still be financed. When finished, there will be a bioretention swale (consisting of a soil bed planted with native vegetation located above an underdrained sand layer), a landscaped detention basin, pervious pavement to increase infiltration of storm water back into the ground, underground dry wells, an infiltration wetland, and a cistern to collect roof runoff.

Environmental goals desired in this retrofit project include:

Increasing and restoring the site's ground water recharge capability (up to 100% of pre-development recharge);
Reducing discharge of non point source pollutants from the site to a Delaware River tributary;
Reducing the volume of stormwater runoff from two-year, ten-year, and 100-year storm events;
Installing as many NJDEP-approved non-structural measures, landscaping, drainage alterations, and water quality improvement devices as funds allow in order that the site can serve as a water management educational center; and
Improving on-site management practices, such as reduced use of fertilizers, pesticides, and deicing materials.

"Retrofitting a site for stormwater management is more complicated than incorporating BMPs into the design of new construction," Collier said. "We will be providing educational materials on cost, installation/maintenance, and environmental monitoring for each BMP in order to show relative effectiveness."

The design team assisting DRBC is led by representatives from Princeton Hydro, LCC.(Ringoes, N.J.), Pickering, Corts & Summerson, Inc. (Newtown, Pa.), and Mark Shablin Landscape Contracting (Newtown, Pa.).

Additional information about commission activities can be found on its web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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View "before" and "after" photos of the DRBC HQ Demonstration Project on the stormwater management page.

Delaware River Basin Flood Mitigation Task Force Action Agenda Presented To Governors

17 Jul 2007

For Immediate Release

July 17, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that the Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force has completed and forwarded to the four basin state governors its action agenda for a more proactive, sustainable, and systematic approach to flood damage reduction.

The final report with 45 consensus recommendations was submitted by letter dated July 12 from Collier to Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, who serve as DRBC members along with presidential appointee Brigadier General Todd Semonite.

The four basin state governors, including then-New York Gov. George Pataki, initiated the process by jointly sending a letter to Collier on Sept. 21, 2006, directing commission staff to form the interstate task force after the Delaware Basin was devastated by severe floods in September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006. This followed a period of nearly 50 years without any widespread flooding on the Delaware River.

"The task force members, after evaluating flood prevention and mitigation options and considering public written and verbal comments, concluded that no set of mitigation measures will entirely eliminate flooding along the Delaware River," Collier said. "However, they believe that a combination of measures will improve the basin’s capacity to prepare for and recover from flooding in the future."

The flood loss reduction recommendations identified by the task force are based on a set of guiding principles that include floodplain restoration and protection, institutional and individual preparedness, local stormwater management and engineering standards, and the judicious use of structural and non-structural measures. Six management areas are addressed: reservoir operations, structural and non-structural mitigation, stormwater management, floodplain mapping, floodplain regulation, and flood warning.

In response to the public perception of a cause and effect relationship between spilling reservoirs in the upper basin and flood occurrence in the main stem river between Hancock, N.Y. and Trenton, N.J., the task force concluded that flooding would still occur along the Delaware even if a year-round void program was implemented. Historic data indicate that major flooding on the main stem Delaware River occurred before New York City reservoirs were built or in the absence of spills after they were put into service.

While stopping short of advocating permanent voids, task force members called for evaluating the cumulative effects of operations at all existing major basin reservoirs to develop a coordinated action plan to reduce the likelihood and volume of spills as long as water supplies are not adversely affected.

Other immediate actions proposed by the task force include:

Establishing areas of priority funding for acquisition, elevation, and flood proofing.
Developing and implementing a consistent set of comprehensive floodplain regulations beyond minimum National Flood Insurance Program standards across the entire Delaware River Basin.
Enabling stormwater utilities. This approach has water quality and quantity benefits and reinforces the states' existing momentum for stormwater management and control of non-point source (runoff) pollution.

The 31-member task force convened on Oct. 25, 2006, and developed a preliminary action plan that was submitted to the governors along with a progress letter on Dec. 29, 2006. This draft plan was the focus of four public meetings attended by over 200 people that were held throughout February 2007 in Delhi, N.Y., Wilmington, Del., Ewing, N.J., and Easton, Pa. An additional 60 written letters were submitted during the public comment period.

Task force members decided to make several changes to the final report based on the public feedback process, but retained the basic recommendation architecture of the public review draft action plan. Key changes involved adding a more detailed description concerning hydrologic conditions in the basin that contribute to tributary and main stem flooding, a reservoir operations findings statement addressing the issue of using water supply reservoirs for flood control, more specific implementation accountability for each of the actions, a new recommendation regarding the need for an ice jam monitoring and communication plan, and various corrections, edits and clarifications to the substance of specific recommendations. An appendix was added to the report to document the public participation process and an implementation matrix was developed to provide for a structured implementation process over the short and medium term timeframe.

The complete report, along with additional task force information, can be viewed on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Stormwater Retrofit Ribbon Cutting Ceremony To Be Held At DRBC Headquarters

17 Jul 2007

For Immediate Release

July 17, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The completion of the first phase of a stormwater management retrofit project on the grounds of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

PHOTO OP

WHEN? Wednesday, July 18, 2007, 12:15 p.m.

WHERE? Front Entrance to DRBC Office Building, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, N.J. (Directions are available at www.drbc.net.)

Brief remarks about this ongoing effort to show how an older site can be retrofitted to properly handle stormwater will be delivered by DRBC Chairman Cathy Curran Myers, who represents Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell on the federal-interstate commission, DRBC Vice Chair Michele Putnam, who represents New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier, and design team manager John Miller with Princeton Hydro LLC of Ringoes, N.J.

This is the beginning of a designated stormwater demonstration site where engineers, planners, and government officials can view various on-the-ground stormwater management practices.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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Registrations Still Being Accepted For Delaware River Sojourn

14 Jun 2007

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Interested paddlers are reminded that it is not too late to register for the Delaware River Sojourn to be held June 24-30.

The 13th annual event combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more. The theme for this year’s sojourn is “Celebrating Native American Culture,” which recognizes the river valley’s first settlers.

This year's trip will cumulatively paddle over 80 miles of the Delaware River and selected tributaries -- the Lackawaxen River in northeastern Pa., renowned for its Class I, II, and II+ whitewater, and the North Branch of the tidal Rancocas Creek in Burlington County, N.J. Monday, June 25’s trip on the Lackawaxen River is made possible by a recreational release from Lake Wallenpaupack by PPL Corporation.

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills. Sojourners may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. Distances paddled will range from eight to 15 miles daily, and participants may bring their own river-worthy boat. Additional safety-related requirements will apply on Monday, June 25.

The $65 per person daily registration fee ($45 for non-paddling children age 12 and under riding in the parents’ canoe) covers the guided river trip, canoe/kayak/raft rental (if needed), shuttle transportation, educational programs, certain meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. An additional one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event.

Detailed information, including registration forms and day plans, are available on the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Registration questions may be directed to Andy Desko at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) by phone (570-828-2319) or email (andrew.desko@gmail.com). Contact Bonnie Tobin at btobin@state.pa.us for information about a limited number of scholarships for first-time paddlers and K-12 teachers.

In addition to mailing in registration forms, interested parties may also fax their registration information to PEEC at 570-828-9695. Faxed registrations will only be accepted from June 22 until two days prior to the day participants want to paddle, with their payment collected at that morning’s check-in. Additionally, a limited amount of “walk-in” registrants will be accepted on the morning of each sojourn day, provided that space is still available on the trip.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year’s committee is chaired by Bonnie Tobin, Environmental Education Specialist Supervisor at Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal State Park.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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13th Annual Delaware River Sojourn June 24-30, 2007

17 May 2007

For Immediate Release

May 17, 2007

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The 2007 Delaware River Sojourn, an annual event that combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more, will be held June 24-30.

The theme for this year's event is “Celebrating Native American Culture,” which recognizes the river’s first settlers. Programs to be offered will teach participants about the history of different native cultures and efforts to keep that history alive today.

In addition to paddling almost 50 miles on the mainstem Delaware River, sojourners will have the opportunity to experience stretches of two tributaries -- the Lackawaxen River in northeastern Pa., renowned for its Class I and II+ whitewater, and the tidal Rancocas Creek in Burlington County, N.J.

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills. Sojourners may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. Distances paddled will range from eight to 13 miles daily and will include the following sections of the Delaware River (unless noted otherwise):

Sunday, June 24: Ten Mile River Access in Tusten (N.Y.) to Barryville (N.Y.)

Monday, June 25: Lackawaxen River from Threshman’s Access (Pa.) to Barryville

Tuesday, June 26: Bushkill Access (Pa.) to Shawnee (Pa.)

Wednesday, June 27: Shawnee to Delaware River Family Campground (N.J.)

Thursday, June 28: Martins Creek Access (Pa.) to Front Street in Easton (Pa.)

Friday, June 29: Riegelsville Access (N.J.) to Delaware Canal State Park Giving Pond Access (Pa.)

Saturday, June 30: Rancocas Creek near Lumberton (N.J.)

This year an early bird daily fee of $55 ($40 for non-paddling children age 12 and under riding in the parents’ canoe) is being offered for those who register prior to June 1; after June 1, the registration fee is $65 per person per day ($45 for non-paddling children). Registration fees cover the guided river trip, canoe/kayak/raft rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, certain meals, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. In addition to the daily fee, a one-time $5 per person insurance fee will be charged to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but aluminum canoes are not recommended. Additional requirements will apply on June 25 when paddling the Lackawaxen River.

Space is limited each day, so please register early! A limited number of scholarships are available for first-time paddlers and K-12 teachers.

Detailed information, including registration materials and a daily overview, are available on the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Registration and scholarship-related questions may be directed to Flo Mauro at the Pocono Environmental Education Center by phone (570-828-2319) or email (fmauro@peec.org).

The purpose of the sojourn is to heighten awareness of, and appreciation for, the ecological, historical, recreational, and economic significance of the Delaware River, which is the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi. The Delaware stretches 330 miles from the confluence of its East and West branches in Hancock, N.Y. to the mouth of the Delaware Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year’s committee is chaired by a representative from Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal State Park.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Delaware River Interstate Water Trail Launched At Washington Crossing Kick-Off Event

20 Apr 2007

For Immediate Release

April 20, 2007

(WASHINGTON CROSSING, Pa.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) joined its federal, state, and nonprofit organization partners at an event held today along the Delaware River at Washington Crossing Historic Park to focus attention on the river as an Interstate Water Trail. It also featured the release of the newly completed, free water trail guide along with updated recreation maps which are now available for sale to the public.

Speakers included Acting Administrator for the Historic Park Doug Miller, Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) Executive Director Celeste Tracy, American Canoe Association (ACA) Executive Director Pamela Dillon, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources John S. Watson, Jr., Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Safety Officer Dan Martin, National Park Service (NPS) Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Superintendent Dave Forney, NPS Northeast Region Recreation and Conservation Assistance Manager Joe DiBello, and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Director Cindy Adams Dunn. Ms. Dunn also presented DRGP with a grant award for $45,000 for continued outreach and a signage program for the water trail.

Representatives from several U.S. Congressional offices also gave remarks and included Leslie Potter for the Hon. Rush Holt (N.J.-12), Doug Platz for the Hon. Patrick Murphy (Pa.-8), and Ed Zygmunt for the Hon. Christopher Carney (Pa.-10). Eighth-grade students from FDR Middle School (Bristol, Pa.), who are members of its Youth Organized for Disaster Action (YODA) Team, officially presented the water trail guides and recreation maps to the group. DRBC Secretary Pamela Bush, who also serves as DRGP President and is an integral member of the steering committee, played the role of master of ceremonies.

The partners organized this event around Earth Day, April 22, as a way to introduce the water trail, which emphasizes the river’s importance as a recreational resource, source of drinking water for millions, and vital habitat for wildlife. The interstate water trail also demonstrates its value and ability to connect non-tidal river communities in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey to one another and our shared landscape.

The water trail project’s main objective is to provide newcomers and existing recreational users alike with new tools and sources of information that will make for a safer and more enjoyable river experience, while reducing potential negative impacts on water quality, wildlife, riparian habitat, and public and private property. The Leave No Trace stewardship program, an international program designed to assist outdoor enthusiasts with decisions on how to reduce their impacts on the environment, is essential to implementing the latter portion of this objective, and is prominently displayed on both the water trail guides and recreation maps.

The Delaware River Water Trail Project began in 2002 when DRGP received a Community Partnerships Program grant from DCNR to prepare a Delaware River Water Trail Concept Plan and Implementation Recommendations. The steering committee included representatives from the DRBC, DRGP, DCNR, PFBC, ACA, NPS Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, NPS Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, and the Delaware and Lehigh Canal National Heritage Corridor. These partners helped steer the formation of the Concept Plan and the water trail guide, a folded double-sided poster that depicts a general map of the non-tidal Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. to Trenton, N.J. and also briefly describes its history, resources, and amenities. An interactive web site designed to highlight the guide and provide current updates on river conditions and river-related activities will be unveiled at a later date.

The DRBC concurrently produced an updated reprint of its popular recreation maps which includes additional sections of the Delaware River than the previous 1991 version. This 10-section, GIS-based, waterproofed map set covers portions of the river’s east and west branches upstream of Hancock, the entire 200-mile non-tidal reach of the main stem river, and an additional 25 miles of the tidal river downstream of Trenton to Northeast Philadelphia and Pennsauken, N.J.

Three-quarters of the non-tidal Delaware River, which stretches from Hancock to Trenton, has been included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The Delaware is a great shared resource and it is hoped the water trail will help to promote it as such, preserve its habitat, and help to bring people together around the common goal of protecting it for the enjoyment of existing and future generations.

For information on how to order the recreation maps, please visit DRBC’s web site at www.drbc.net. A portion of the proceeds from the $25 sale of the recreation maps will help fund the commission’s educational/outreach programs and activities.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Kick-Off Event On April 20 To Launch The Delaware River Water Trail

19 Apr 2007

For Immediate Release

April 19, 2007

(WEST TRENTON N.J.) -- American Canoe Association Executive Director Pamela Dillon, Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of Recreation and Conservation Director Cindy Adams Dunn, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources John S. Watson, Jr., and Pa. Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Doug Austen, along with representatives from the offices of U.S. Congressmen Rush Holt (N.J.-12), Patrick Murphy (Pa.-8), and Christopher Carney (Pa.-10), will join Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) Executive Director Celeste Tracy and other partners at an event to celebrate the Delaware River as an Interstate Water Trail. Students from FDR Middle School in Bristol, Pa. also will participate.

Two new products will be introduced to help ensure the public’s safe enjoyment of the river and there will be a grant presentation to DRGP from DCNR.

The water trail project’s federal, state, and nonprofit organization partners organized this event around Earth Day, April 22, as a way to emphasize the river’s importance as a recreational resource, source of drinking water for millions, and vital habitat for wildlife.

PHOTO OP
WHEN?         Friday, April 20; 11 a.m. to 12 noon
WHERE?        Washington Crossing Historic Park, Visitor Center/Lower Park
                    1112 River Road
                    Washington Crossing, Pa.
DIRECTIONS: http://www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/visit/directions.htm
VISUALS:      In addition to the speakers, representatives of the various water trail partners will be on-hand with
                    displays to introduce attendees to the various organizations that launched this interstate project and
                    developed the new products.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Announces March 27 Public Hearings And Meeting On Proposed Management Plan For The New York City Delaware Basin Reservoirs

21 Mar 2007

For Immediate Release

March 21, 2007

(WEST TRENTON N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier announced that two hearings will be held on March 27 to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed Flexible Flow Management Plan (FFMP) for operation of the three New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs.

The public hearings will take place at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Lake Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center, PPL Drive (off Route 6), in Hawley, Pa.

An informational meeting will be held at 1 p.m. at the same location. The 6:30 p.m. hearing will open with a brief informational presentation prior to the receiving of public comments.

The proposal would establish a FFMP for the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs for multiple objectives, including water supply and drought mitigation, management of the reservoir tailwater fisheries and other habitat needs, and spill mitigation. The proposed FFMP was submitted to the DRBC by the five parties to the U.S. Supreme Court Decree of 1954, which include Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York State, and New York City.

"The DRBC may modify diversions, releases, rights, conditions, and obligations established by the decree, provided that the five decree parties unanimously consent to such modifications," Collier said. "The commission, however, does not have the authority to independently make such modifications."

The DRBC and decree parties have previously modified the decree to respond to fluctuating hydrologic conditions and evolving priorities since the commission was created in 1961. Two such modifications now in effect -- the three-year interim fisheries protection program and a temporary spill mitigation program -- are set to expire on May 31.

A central feature of the current fishery management program has been the creation of reservoir storage "banks" to be used for narrowly defined purposes under specific hydrologic and temperature conditions at certain times of the year.

The proposed FFMP would largely eliminate the use of banks and base releases instead on reservoir storage levels, resulting in larger releases when water is abundant and smaller releases when storage is at or below normal. This approach would more closely approximate natural flows and provide more gradual transitions from higher to lower releases, which has been a concern voiced in the past by Upper Delaware anglers.

The proposal's spill mitigation component is intended to reduce the likelihood that the three reservoirs could be full and spilling coincident with a major storm or thaw.

Written comments will be accepted until April 6, 2007, and should be mailed to: Commission Secretary, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360. Comments also may be faxed to "Attn: Commission Secretary" at (609) 883-9522 or emailed to paula.schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us. All written comments should include the name, address, and affiliation (if any) of the commenter.

The proposed FFMP and directions to the public hearings/meeting, along with additional information, can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Announces Postponement Of Tonight's Easton Public Meeting On Draft Recommendations Of The Delaware River Basin Flood Mitigation Task Force

13 Feb 2007

For Immediate Release

February 13, 2007

(WEST TRENTON N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Deputy Executive Director Robert Tudor today announced the postponement of this evening's previously scheduled public meeting in Easton, Pa. due to concerns over the approaching winter storm.

The rescheduled public meeting will be held Tuesday, February 27 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lafayette College's Hugel Science Center on High Street in Easton, Pa.

An informal "poster session" beginning at 6:30 p.m. will precede the meeting to give the public an opportunity to review information on display.

Due to the meeting postponement, written comments from the public on the task force's flood loss reduction and flood mitigation draft recommendations will now be accepted until March 7, 2007, and should be mailed to: Robert Tudor, Deputy Executive Director, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628.

The other remaining public meetings on the draft recommendations will be held February 15 in Wilmington, Del. and February 20 in Ewing, N.J. Additional information about the task force, including the draft report and directions to the public meetings, can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Announces Complete List Of Public Meetings To Be Held On Draft Recommendations Of The Delaware River Basin Flood Mitigation Task Force

01 Feb 2007

For Immediate Release

February 1, 2007

(WEST TRENTON N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced three additional February meetings to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on the Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force's flood loss reduction and flood mitigation draft recommendations for the Delaware River Basin.

The public meetings will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following locations:

Feb. 13 -- Hugel Science Center, Lafayette College, High Street, Easton, Pa.

Feb. 15 -- Carvel State Office Building, Mezzanine Floor, 820 North French Street, Wilmington, Del.

Feb. 20 -- William Antheil Elementary School, 339 Ewingville Road, Ewing, N.J.

An informal "poster session" beginning at 6:30 p.m. will precede each meeting to give the public an opportunity to review information on display.

These three meetings are in addition to the one previously announced in a Jan. 31 press release which will be held on Feb. 8 at the Senator Charles D. Cook County Office Building, Board of Supervisors Room, 111 Main Street, in Delhi, N.Y. Please note that the Delhi, N.Y. poster session and public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively.

The task force's draft report now appears on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net. Written comments will be accepted until Feb. 28, 2007, and should be mailed to: Robert Tudor, Deputy Executive Director, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628.

"The Delaware River Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force has identified a total of 44 consensus recommendations for a more proactive, sustainable, and systematic approach to flood damage reduction," Collier said. "The task force has concluded that no set of mitigation measures will entirely eliminate impacts of flooding along the Delaware River, but the members believe that a combination of measures will improve the basin's resiliency -- its capacity to prepare for and recover from flooding -- in the future."

The recommendations are divided into six priority management areas:

Reservoir operations;
Structural and non-structural measures;
Stormwater management;
Floodplain mapping;
Floodplain regulation; and
Flood warning.

Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, and New York Gov. George Pataki, who serve as DRBC members, jointly sent a letter to Collier on Sept. 21, 2006 authorizing and requesting commission staff to form the interstate task force. This was followed on Sept. 27 by the formal adoption of a resolution at a commission meeting which was unanimously agreed to by the four states and DRBC Chair Lt. Col. Gwen Baker, who represents the federal government on the five-member commission.

The interstate task force convened in October 2006 and is comprised of 32 members representing a broad array of government interests (both legislative and executive) as well as private sector and non-profit perspectives. In a Dec. 29, 2006 letter, DRBC staff provided the four governors with an update on the status of the draft report and outlined the planned process to give the public an opportunity to review the recommended measures. Incoming New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who took office on Jan. 1, 2007, was provided with this same information several days later.

Following the four meetings, the task force will meet to consider public feedback and prioritize actions, as well as to formulate comments and responses before a final set of recommended measures is submitted to the governors for their consideration. DRBC Deputy Executive Director Robert Tudor is leading the staff support of this effort.

The Delaware Basin was devastated by severe floods in September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006, following a period of nearly 50 years without any widespread main stem flooding.

Additional information about the task force, including directions to the public meetings and the Dec. 2006 update letter to the governors, can be found on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC To Hold Public Meetings On Draft Recommendations Of The Delaware River Basin Flood Mitigation Task Force

31 Jan 2007

For Immediate Release

January 31, 2007

(WEST TRENTON N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that the first of four meetings will be held in Delhi, N.Y. on Feb. 8 to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on the Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force's flood loss reduction and flood mitigation draft recommendations for the Delaware River Basin. The draft report now appears on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

When? Feb. 8, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. (an informal "poster session" to review information on display will begin at 6 p.m.)

Where? Senator Charles D. Cook County Office Building, 111 Main Street, Main Floor, Board of Supervisors Room, Delhi, N.Y.

The other three public meetings will be held during February in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Written comments will be accepted until Feb. 28, 2007, and should be mailed to: Robert Tudor, Deputy Executive Director, DRBC, P.O. Box 7360, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, NJ 08628.

The recommendations are divided into six priority management areas:

Reservoir operations;
Structural and non-structural measures;
Stormwater management;
Floodplain mapping;
Floodplain regulation; and
Flood warning.

The interstate task force convened in October 2006 and is comprised of 32 members representing a broad array of government interests (both legislative and executive) as well as private sector and non-profit perspectives. In a Dec. 29, 2006 letter, DRBC staff apprised the four governors and incoming New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer with an update on the status of the draft report and outlined the planned process to give the public an opportunity to review the recommended measures.

Following the four meetings, the task force will meet in late-February to consider public feedback and prioritize actions, as well as to formulate comments and responses before a final set of recommended measures is submitted to the governors for their consideration. DRBC Deputy Executive Director Robert Tudor is leading the staff support of this effort.

The Delaware Basin was devastated by severe floods in September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006, following a period of nearly 50 years without any widespread main stem flooding.

Additional information about the task force, including the Dec. 2006 update letter to the governors, can be found on the commission's web site.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Statement By Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier At The Mary D Recreation And Schuylkill River Improvement Projects Groundbreaking Ceremony, Bell Colliery Site, Mary D, Schuylkill County, PA

29 Nov 2006

For Immediate Release

November 29, 2006

(MARY D, Pa.) -- Good morning. I welcome all of you and thank you for attending this important groundbreaking event for the Mary D Recreation Facility and local mine drainage treatment sites. This event has been a little over a year in the making, and I thank all partners for their support and dedication to this project, which is a prime example of just what can be accomplished through the cooperation of state and local governments, businesses, industry, and community organizations.

This project not only benefits the community of Mary D, but also will improve the water quality of the headwaters to the Schuylkill River. Acid/Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) is the largest source of stream impairment in the Upper Schuylkill Watershed. This project demonstrates the commitment and initiative of all partners to reduce the amount of pollutants AMD contributes to the Schuylkill's headwaters, reclaim abandoned mine lands, and enhance the quality of life for area residents. The Schuylkill River and its tributaries provide drinking water to over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians.

The Delaware River Basin Commission's involvement in this project began with an Exelon Corporation settlement creating a fund for water quality improvement projects in the watershed draining to the Schuylkill River, the largest tributary to the Delaware River. DRBC staff believed, and Exelon agreed, that an AMD project would be a great use of these funds, and the community of Mary D was chosen for such a project. The initial concept was to create a passive treatment system involving the use of reclaimed wetlands and limestone to increase the pH of the acidic AMD and precipitate out harmful metals, such as iron, manganese, and aluminum. The settling out of these metals thus reduces the pollutant load to the river.

During an early visit to Mary D, it was determined that the best site for treating the AMD from the Mary D "Borehole" would be on the already existing community ballfield, which is owned by the Mary D Fire Company. In order to use this site for the treatment wetland, new recreational facilities, including a ballfield, would have to be provided to the community. DRBC reached out to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation (DEP), the non-profit Schuylkill Headwaters Association (SHA), and the community for additional funding. All groups that were approached wanted to be involved in the project, and SHA applied for and received grant monies from the William Penn Foundation. DEP and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) also contributed funds for the creation of the new facility and treatment wetlands. The Mary D Fire Company provided the existing ballfield to the AMD project, and the Blaschak Coal Company of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County donated about ten acres of abandoned mine land on which to construct the town’s new recreation facility.

The new, multi-use recreation facility, whose design was rendered by Rettew Associates, is a great improvement over the existing one, allowing for lighted, year-round enjoyment of not just baseball, but also basketball, soccer, and ice skating. It will provide excellent recreational opportunities at a location closer to the community than the existing ballfield. This $500,000 facility is a great addition to the community and will be enjoyed for years to come.

As the project progressed, treatment sites were created or expanded, bringing the total number of sites to four, in addition to the construction of a new recreation facility. This evolving project facilitated by DRBC would not have been possible without the cooperation of multiple, dedicated partners.

The second site in this AMD project will provide improvements to a treatment wetland already in use here at Bell Colliery, known as Bell Colliery Phase 1. Phase 1 is not currently functioning to its full potential because the pollutant metals settled out in the wetland can be flushed into the river by heavy rains. To address this shortfall, construction of Phase 2 has just started, which will add another treatment wetland for the pollutants to flush into, instead of the river, during times of heavy precipitation and will allow the site to function more efficiently. In addition to Bell Colliery Phase 2 and the treatment wetland being built on the grounds of the original ballfield, another treatment site will be created to treat the AMD from the Mary D "Overflow." Lastly, the fourth AMD treatment project that will be completed with funds from these partners involves an expansion of the existing Mackeysburg diversion system. The Mackeysburg project reflects a different strategy in combating AMD by trying to reduce the amount of runoff that comes into contact with mine wastes, thereby preventing the contamination of runoff.

The DRBC is extremely proud of this project and of the cooperation exhibited by all partners, who were willing to contribute grants, assign easements, and/or devote time to ensure that this project would benefit everyone involved. As an agency founded by an interstate-federal compact to manage the water resources of the entire Delaware River Basin, the DRBC firmly believes that we can accomplish greater things through partnering than by working individually. Tackling AMD in the Schuylkill's headwaters demonstrates the common goals of improving the river's water quality at its source, as well as enhancing the quality of life for Pennsylvanians. The completion of all five projects would not be possible had it not be for the collaboration and commitment of the following partners: the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County Commissioners, Schuylkill Township, DRBC, SHA, Exelon, William Penn Foundation, Blaschak Coal Company, Mary D Fire Company, Schuylkill Conservation District, Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Association, Mary D Baseball Association, Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, Stell Environmental Enterprises, and Enterprising Environmental Solutions, Inc. This is indeed a win-win situation for everyone involved. Again, I thank you all for your participation and commend everyone on this great, shared accomplishment.

Download Project Description Flyer (pdf 2.65 MB)

***

Contact: Kate O'Hara, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 205, katharine.o'hara@drbc.state.nj.us

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Delaware River Basin Flood Mitigation Task Force Holds Kick-Off Meeting

25 Oct 2006

For Immediate Release

October 25, 2006

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier announced that the newly formed Interstate Flood Mitigation Task Force met today for the first time to begin its work towards recommending a set of comprehensive flood mitigation measures for the Delaware River Basin.

"We know that each basin state is working individually to address and mitigate flooding, but we believe a comprehensive, long-term flood loss reduction and flood mitigation strategy can be developed through this coordinated, interstate effort," Collier said. "At the direction of our five commissioners, we have been ambitiously charged to propose a preliminary action plan with recommendations by the close of 2006."

Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, New York Gov. George Pataki, and Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, who serve as DRBC members, jointly sent a letter to Collier on Sept. 21 authorizing and requesting commission staff to form the interstate task force. This was followed on Sept. 27 by the formal adoption of a resolution at a commission meeting which was unanimously agreed to by the four states and DRBC Chair Lt. Col. Gwen Baker, who represents the federal government on the five-member commission.

The Delaware Basin was devastated by severe floods in September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006, following a period of nearly 50 years without any widespread main stem flooding.

"The task force is comprised of 30 members including elected and emergency management officials, along with representatives from federal, state, and regional agencies, as well as citizen and academic interests," Collier said. "We sought to gain a broad representation of task force members while realizing that involvement of all interested stakeholders in the four states was not possible due to the short time constraint established by our commissioners." DRBC Deputy Executive Director Robert Tudor is leading the staff support of this effort.

The first meeting focused on plan framework issues, inventorying ongoing initiatives, and discussing work plan needs for the coming weeks in order to complete a draft preliminary recommendations report by the end of the year. A public comment period and public meetings are anticipated in early 2007.

Strategy elements are expected to encompass reservoir operations, floodplain mapping, floodplain regulations, structural and non-structural mitigation measures (including acquisition and elevation programs), flood warning, and stormwater management. Additional information will be posted on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net as it becomes available.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Schuylkill Action Network To Hold Free Monitoring Workshops In Pottstown On October 12

11 Oct 2006

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2006

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) along with the other members of the Schuylkill Action Network (SAN) will hold a free workshop entitled Monitoring Matters.

WHEN?      Thursday, October 12, 2006, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE?    Montgomery County Community College West Campus
               101 College Drive
               Pottstown, Pa.
               (Directions are available at http://www.mc3.edu/aboutus/directions/wc.aspx )

Watershed association members, government agency representatives, local decision makers, drinking water suppliers, and educators along with SAN members will be attending this annual workshop. Media representatives also are welcome to attend this event.

Attendees will learn about SAN workgroup activities and progress in areas such as agriculture, abandoned mine drainage, stormwater, and pathogens/compliance. In addition, sessions will be offered on designing a stream monitoring plan and developing a strategic monitoring program for the Schuylkill River Watershed.

For more information about SAN, visit www.schuylkillactionnetwork.org.

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Contact: Kate O'Hara (609) 883-9500 ext. 205

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DRBC To Hold Public Hearing On Interim Spill Mitigation Measures For The New York City Delaware Basin Reservoirs And Development Of A Comprehensive Basin-Wide Flood Mitigation Plan

15 Sep 2006

For Immediate Release

September 15, 2006

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold a public hearing during its regularly scheduled business meeting on September 27, 2006, at 1:30 p.m. to consider interim spill mitigation measures to be implemented at New York City’s three Delaware Basin reservoirs while work continues on the development of a new multi-objective long-term management plan for those reservoirs. The meeting and hearing will be held at the DRBC’s headquarters building, 25 State Police Drive, in West Trenton, N.J. Directions are available on the commission’s web site.

The interim measures under consideration are intended to reduce the likelihood that the three reservoirs – Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink – could be full and spilling coincident with a major storm or thaw. The New York City reservoirs provide substantial attenuation of peak flows downstream even when full. Spill mitigation could add a small measure of seasonal peak flow reduction, particularly in the tailwaters below the dams; however, this effect would diminish with distance from the reservoirs as the river receives runoff from drainage areas downstream. A reservoir spill mitigation program would not stop flooding, either in the tailwaters or the main stem. A comprehensive set of local and regional measures is needed to reduce flood vulnerability and loss.

At its September 27th business meeting, the commission also will consider development of a comprehensive basin-wide flood mitigation plan. In addition to addressing reservoir operations at more than a dozen existing reservoirs throughout the basin, such a plan would address stormwater management, open space and farmland preservation, floodplain regulations, and other potential non-structural flood mitigation measures. If approved, the interim spill mitigation measures contemplated for the basin’s New York City reservoirs would move forward simultaneously with development of the more comprehensive flood mitigation plan. The commission is currently assembling needed funds for the latter effort.

Although the DRBC has broad authority to manage the basin’s water resources for multiple purposes, the commission must obtain the unanimous consent of the five parties to the 1954 judicial decree by the U.S. Supreme Court in order to take any action that would impair, diminish, or otherwise adversely affect the diversions, compensating releases, rights, conditions, and obligations established by the decree. The decree parties include the states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania (which also are DRBC members) and New York City (which is not a DRBC member).

In addition to the constraints imposed by the decree on any DRBC action affecting the New York City Delaware Basin reservoirs, the commission must consider potential impacts on its other resource management objectives in evaluating interim and long-term reservoir operating plans. These objectives include the protection of vital water supplies and aquatic ecosystems that today rely on the availability of stored water.

In light of the main stem floods of September 2004, April 2005, and June 2006, which followed a period of nearly 50 years without any widespread main stem flooding, the DRBC is making every effort to obtain additional resources to accelerate development of a basin-wide comprehensive flood mitigation plan.

Persons planning to offer testimony during the public hearing are asked to contact Paula Schmitt by email at paula.schmitt@drbc.state.nj.us or by telephone at (609) 883-9500 ext. 224. The DRBC will accept written testimony until the close of the September 27th hearing, but requests that written comments be submitted no later than noon on September 22, 2006, to give the commissioners an opportunity to review them in advance. Comments may be submitted to Ms. Schmitt by email or by fax to (609) 883-9522. All comments should include the commenter’s name and address. Emailed comments should state “Hearing Comments” in the subject line.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land draining to the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

For more information, visit the commission’s web site at http://www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Registration Deadline Extended For The Delaware River Sojourn

14 Jun 2006

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2006

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Registrations are still being accepted for the 2006 Delaware River Sojourn to be held June 18-25. Late fees also have been waived this year.

Interested persons now have the option to fax registration forms to the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) at 570-828-9695 until 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 18. In addition, "walk in" registrations on the morning of each sojourn day will be accepted. Sojourners may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice.

The 12th annual event combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more. In addition to paddling almost 70 miles on the mainstem Delaware River, sojourners will have the opportunity to experience stretches of two tributaries -- the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania and the Cooper River in New Jersey.

The $65 daily fee ($45 for non-paddling children age 12 and under riding in the parent's canoe) covers the guided river trip, canoe/kayak rental (if needed), shuttle transportation, educational programs, a souvenir water bottle, certain meals, and optional overnight camping. An additional one-time $8 per person insurance fee applies to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event.

Detailed information, including registration instructions, forms, and daily plans, can be found on the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Registration questions also may be directed to Mike Brubaker at PEEC by phone (570-828-2319) or by email (mikebru@peec.org) until 5 p.m. on Friday, June 16.

The non-profit event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is chaired by a representative from Pennsylvania's Delaware Canal State Park.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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12th Annual Delaware River Sojourn June 18-25, 2006

02 Jun 2006

For Immediate Release

June 2, 2006

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The 2006 Delaware River Sojourn, an annual event that combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, and more, will be held June 18-25.

The purpose of the sojourn is to heighten awareness of, and appreciation for, the ecological, historical, recreational, and economic significance of the Delaware River, which flows through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

The theme for this year's event is "A Long Drink of Water," which recognizes the Delaware River's vital role in supplying drinking water to millions of people, including two of America's largest cities -- New York City and Philadelphia. The Delaware is the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi, stretching 330 miles from the confluence of its East and West branches in Hancock, N.Y. to the mouth of the Delaware Bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly 15 million people (approximately five percent of the nation's population) rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin for drinking and commercial use.

In addition to paddling almost 70 miles on the mainstem Delaware River, sojourners will have the opportunity to experience stretches of two tributaries -- the Schuylkill River in Pennsylvania and the Cooper River in New Jersey.

Daily highlights include:

Sunday, June 18: Ten Mile River Access, Tusten (N.Y.) to Minisink Ford (N.Y.) (8 miles)

Monday, June 19: Minisink Ford to Knights Eddy (N.Y.) (12 miles)

Tuesday, June 20: Bushkill Access (Pa.) to Shawnee (Pa.) (13 miles)

Wednesday, June 21: Shawnee to Driftstone-on-Delaware (Pa.) (13 miles)

Thursday, June 22: Point Pleasant (Pa.) to Lambertville (N.J.) (9 miles)

Friday, June 23: Fireman's Eddy, Lambertville to Morrisville (Pa.) (13 miles)

Saturday, June 24: Schuylkill River in Philadelphia from Manayunk to Bartram's Garden (9 miles)

Sunday, June 25: Round trip on the Cooper River from Maria Barnaby Greenwald Memorial Park in Cherry Hill (N.J.) (10 miles)

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills. Sojourners may sign up for the entire eight-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. The $65 daily registration fee ($45 for non-paddling children age 12 and under riding in the parent's canoe) covers the guided river trip, canoe/kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, certain meals, a souvenir water bottle, and optional overnight camping sites. In addition to the daily fee, a one-time $8 per person insurance fee applies to non-members of the American Canoe Association, which sanctions the event. Participants may bring their own river-worthy boat, but aluminum canoes are not recommended.

Space is limited each day. The registration deadline is June 9. Registrations postmarked after June 9 will be accepted on a first-come basis with a $20 late fee added. A limited number of scholarships are available for first-time paddlers and K-12 teachers.

Additional information, including registration materials and detailed daily plans, are available on the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Registration and scholarship-related questions may be directed to Mike Brubaker at the Pocono Environmental Education Center by phone (570-828-2319) or email (mikebru@peec.org).

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies in the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is chaired by a representative from Pennsylvania's Delaware Canal State Park.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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William Muszynski Officially Joins DRBC Staff

31 Mar 2006

For Immediate Release

March 31, 2006

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that William J. Muszynski has accepted an offer to officially join the commission's staff as Special Projects Coordinator and Head of the Project Review Branch effective April 1, 2006.

"Bill's decision to retire from the federal government after serving a distinguished career there and join the DRBC staff is wonderful news," Collier said. "Over the past two years while working here on his temporary assignment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Bill has proven himself to be an important team player and advisor. The commission, as well as the entire basin community, will certainly continue to benefit from his expertise, management skills, and years of experience."

Since January 2004, Muszynski has been serving as the DRBC's Special Projects Coordinator on a temporary assignment from EPA while remaining a federal employee. He also led the commission's project review branch during this period.

Muszynski has been instrumental in a number of ongoing DRBC initiatives, including major improvements in the commission's project review process, initiation of the Delaware River Toxics Reduction Program (DelTRiP), development of implementation criteria for the Special Protection Waters program in the Lower Delaware, and development of new memorandums of agreement with the commission's state and federal partners.

Immediately prior to his temporary assignment at DRBC, Muszynski held the position of Deputy Regional Administrator for EPA Region 2 in New York City. He also served as Acting Regional Administrator on three different occasions. According to the EPA web site, "During his career, Mr. Muszynski has gained a reputation for fairness, attention to detail and hard work unmatched in Region 2." He joined EPA in 1971 after holding positions with the Federal Power Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

He holds both a B.S. (1968) and M.C.E. (1972) from the Newark College of Engineering (now known as the New Jersey Institute of Technology). Muszynski is a licensed professional engineer in the state of New Jersey and serves on the Executive Board of the New Jersey Water Environment Association.

For more information about the commission, visit its web site at www.drbc.net.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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DRBC Honors Pioneering Ecologist Ruth Patrick

07 Dec 2005

For Immediate Release

December 7, 2005

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today named its to-be-developed office building courtyard the "Ruth Patrick River Garden" in honor of the world-renowned environmental scientist and Philadelphia resident.

"Dr. Ruth Patrick's outstanding career with The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia has spanned seven decades and her work has set the standard for how the environmental health of rivers and streams is evaluated," DRBC Chairman Kevin C. Donnelly said. Donnelly, who represents Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner on the federal-interstate commission, added, "We are thrilled to have Dr. Patrick join us today as we recognize her extensive contributions to riverine science and management."

The commission also released a concept design plan (pdf 329 KB) to improve the courtyard at the mid-day ceremony held at its West Trenton headquarters. "This design plan, which was shaped by comments received from DRBC staff, highlights the Delaware River Basin and will provide an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the space while learning about the watershed environment," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "Naming this planned courtyard makeover the 'Ruth Patrick River Garden' is a fitting tribute to a pioneer whose work in the Delaware River Basin dates back to 1945."

Dr. Patrick in the 1940s developed a new scientific method to assess the health of freshwater systems (lakes, streams, and rivers) involving the study of changes in abundance and diversity of plants, animals, and bacteria as a way to measure the impact of pollution and natural changes. She was one of only a handful of female ecologists at the time and her method is still used today.

Born in Kansas, she has lived and worked in the Delaware River Basin her entire professional career. Dr. Patrick has been associated with The Academy of Natural Sciences since 1933 and continues to spend time in her office there every day. In 1947, she founded the Academy's Limnology Department, now called the Patrick Center for Environmental Research, for the study of freshwater bodies. She is currently the Francis Boyer Chair of Limnology at the Academy and the honorary chair of its Board of Trustees.

Dr. Patrick is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the National Medal of Science, our nation's top science award, which she received from President Bill Clinton in 1996.

DRBC staff is exploring options to fund the construction costs of the planned courtyard redevelopment, expected to total over $200,000 according to preliminary estimates. "The commission is not in the position to finance this project with its limited resources, and since we are a regulatory agency, we are unable to accept donations from some private and public organizations who may wish to contribute to this project honoring Dr. Patrick," Collier said. "We are hoping to identify a nonprofit organization that might be willing to serve as a collector of donations which could then be provided to DRBC in one sum."

For more information, visit the DRBC's web site at www.drbc.net.

(Please note: Additional information about Dr. Ruth Patrick can be found on The Academy of Natural Science's web site.)

Take a "virtual tour" of the proposed Ruth Patrick River Garden (avi 4.7 MB)

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC To Name Courtyard In Honor Of World-Renowned Environmental Scientist Ruth Patrick

05 Dec 2005

For Immediate Release

December 5, 2005

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will honor Philadelphia resident and pioneering ecologist Dr. Ruth Patrick at the conclusion of the commissioner's morning conference session.

PHOTO OP

WHEN? Wednesday, December 7, 2005, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

WHERE? Lobby of the DRBC Headquarters Building, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, N.J.
(Directions are available at http://www.drbc.net)

The announcement and brief remarks will be delivered by DRBC Chairman Kevin Donnelly, who represents Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner on the federal-interstate commission, and Executive Director Carol R. Collier. Dr. Patrick also will offer remarks.

Dr. Patrick's work has set the standard for how the environmental health of rivers and streams is evaluated today and has been involved with the Delaware River Basin since 1945. She received the National Medal of Science, our nation's top science award, from President Bill Clinton in 1996.

The public is invited to attend the announcement, which will include a concept design plan to redevelop the courtyard.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Pollutant Minimization Plan Workshop For PCB Dischargers

26 Jul 2005

For Immediate Release

July 26, 2005

When? Thursday, July 28, 2005, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(registration at 8 a.m.)

Where? Rutgers EcoComplex, 1200 Florence-Columbus Rd.,
Bordentown, N.J. (directions attached)

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) on May 18 unanimously adopted a rule to establish pollutant minimization plan (PMP) requirements for point (end-of-pipe) and non-point (runoff) discharges of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware Estuary. It also set a goal of reducing PCB loadings by 50% in five years.

The July 28th workshop will explain this innovative approach to impacted dischargers. Overview presentations on the PMP requirements and guidance will be made by DRBC staff members. Representatives from Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will discuss the relationship between the DRBC requirements and state-issued permits. Experiences of two industrial and two municipal entities also will be presented.

The workshop is being cosponsored by the New Jersey Water Environment Association and the DRBC.

For more information, visit the DRBC’s web site.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Directions to the Rutgers EcoComplex
(Courtesy of http://ecocomplex.rutgers.edu)

From NJ Turnpike:

Take Exit 7 to Rt. 206 S.
Stay on Rt. 206 S. for about 3.5 miles (Past exit for Hedding)
Exit Rt. 206 S. at Columbus-Burlington Exit (Rt. 543)
At stop sign make RIGHT onto Rt. 543 West (travel about 2 miles)
EcoComplex is large green building on LEFT, before the second light

Route 206 S. to first light - follow signs for I-295S.
First RIGHT (at light) onto Old York Road
QUICK RIGHT (at stop sign & sign for I-295) onto Rising Sun Road
Proceed less than 1 mile
LEFT onto I-295 South
Follow below

From I-295:

Exit 52A (Columbus)
EcoComplex is large green building on RIGHT just past the first light.

From Route 206 Northbound:

Route 206 North past Columbus Farmer's Market
Exit for the town of Columbus approx. one mile north of market
At traffic light make LEFT onto Rt. 543 West (also called Main St.)
EcoComplex is large green building on LEFT, before the second light

From PA Turnpike:

Go over PA-NJ Turnpike Bridge
Take the first exit for US Route 130N
RIGHT on the first light onto 656E (Florence-Columbus Rd.)
After approximately 3 miles there is an overpass for I-295
Go through next light
EcoComplex is large green building on RIGHT

11th Annual Delaware River Sojourn: June 19-25, 2005

31 May 2005

For Immediate Release

May 31, 2005

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The 2005 Delaware River Sojourn, an annual event that combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, historical interpretation, and more, will be held June 19-25.

"Nearly 80 non-contiguous miles of the Delaware and its tributaries in three states will be paddled during the week-long event," Sojourn Steering Committee Co-Chair Sandra Schultz said. "There is still time for interested persons to sign up and join us."

The theme for this year's event is "Introducing the Delaware River Water Trail" to increase awareness about the efforts now underway to make the Delaware River even more paddle-friendly and accessible to recreational boaters. "This theme fits perfectly with the spirit of the sojourn because both are all about enjoying safe, rewarding and environmentally responsible outings on the river," Steering Committee Co-Chair Bonnie Tobin added.

This year's sojourn for the first time will start on the East Branch of the Delaware River in New York State on June 19. Another new location for sojourners will be paddling the tidal waters of the South Branch of the Rancocas Creek in the New Jersey Pinelands on June 24. The 7 p.m. program at the Palmyra Cove Environmental Discovery Center on June 24, which will be open to the public, will feature Jim Bintliff as he tells the fascinating story of baseball rubbing mud which comes from the Delaware River Watershed.

Daily highlights include:

Sunday, June 19: Fishs Eddy (N.Y.) to Hancock (N.Y.) (10 miles)

Monday, June 20: Hancock to Lordville (N.Y.) (10 miles)

Tuesday, June 21: Bushkill (Pa.) to Shawnee (Pa.) (13 miles)

Wednesday, June 22: Easton (Pa.) to Upper Black Eddy (Pa.) (17.5 miles)

Thursday, June 23: Upper Black Eddy to Bull’s Island State Park (N.J.) (11 miles)

Friday, June 24: Round trip from Ironwood Outdoor Center (Lumberton, N.J.) (11 miles)

Saturday, June 25: Round trip from Palmyra Cove Nature Park (N.J.) exploring the cove and the tidal Delaware River (7 miles)

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills. Sojourners may sign up for the entire seven-day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. The $65 daily registration fee ($45 for non-paddling children age 12 and under riding in the parent’s canoe) covers the guided river trip, canoe/kayak rental, shuttle transportation, educational programs, most meals, insurance, a souvenir hat, and optional overnight camping sites. The Delaware River Sojourn is sanctioned and insured by the American Canoe Association.

Space is limited each day. The registration deadline is June 10. Registrations postmarked after June 10 will be accepted on a first-come basis with a $20 late fee added.

This year, a total of ten $40 scholarships are available for first-time adult sojourners. Applicants must explain in 100 words or less why they are interested in paddling on the sojourn. A panel will judge the applications based on merit. The deadline is June 10.

Additional information, including registration materials and scholarship forms, are available on the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org. Registration questions may be directed to Mike Brubaker at the Pocono Environmental Education Center by phone (570-828-2319) or email (mikebru@peec.org).

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies working in the Delaware River Basin. This year's committee is co-chaired by representatives from the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and Pennsylvania's Delaware Canal State Park.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC Establishes New Rule To Reduce PCB Levels In The Delaware River

25 May 2005

For Immediate Release

May 25, 2005

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) on May 18 unanimously adopted a rule to establish pollutant minimization plan (PMP) requirements for point and non-point discharges of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware Estuary. It also set a goal of reducing PCB loadings by 50% in five years.

"We believe this progressive action taken by the commissioners to require waste minimization and reduction plans will prove to be a significant pollution control milestone in the continuing efforts to reduce levels of PCBs in the tidal Delaware River and Bay," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "While the ultimate goal of the commission and its members is to meet water quality standards and eliminate fish consumption advisories, establishing a target reduction in PCB loadings of 50% in five years provides an important benchmark for judging the effectiveness of pollutant minimization plans over the short term," Collier added.

In December 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established Stage 1 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for PCBs in the tidal Delaware River between Trenton, N.J. and the Delaware Bay under a court-mandated deadline based on several years of technical work conducted by the DRBC. A TMDL sets the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive without violating applicable water quality standards and allocates that amount among sources in the watershed -- both point (end-of-pipe) and non-point (runoff). Dischargers must reduce loads to the allocated levels in order to achieve and maintain the standards.

"A non-numeric approach to implementing the Stage 1 TMDLs was taken, in part because it was understood that dischargers could not reduce their PCB loadings quickly enough to comply with numeric limits," Collier said. The PMP rule embodies the principle of adaptive management, which encourages experimentation, measurement, and readjustment depending on the results of the actions taken. It reflects an awareness that while dramatic reductions in loadings from all source categories will be required to achieve the PCB TMDLs over several decades, uncertainty as to the effectiveness of any particular reduction activity currently persists.

"The rule change provides the commission with the regulatory authority to require PMPs before permits are reissued by the states, thus ensuring that steps to improve the estuary’s water quality begin sooner," Collier said.

Under the May 18 rule, dischargers will identify known and potential sources of PCBs, identify procedures for tracking down unknown sources of the pollutant, and identify and implement strategies for minimizing or preventing releases from all identified sources. Dischargers will measure and periodically report progress made in reducing loadings. Initially, permittees responsible for 60 point source discharges will be required to develop and implement PMPs and to monitor their PCB discharges.

In light of the importance of contributions of PCB pollution from non-point sources, the rule allows the commission to require PMPs for contaminated sites where releases from the sites are not being addressed entirely through other state or federal regulatory programs.

"Commission staff began drafting this proposal in May 2004, and it has benefited from extensive public input," Collier said. "Representatives from industry, municipal wastewater treatment plants, environmental organizations, and regulatory agencies all have expressed support for this approach to reducing PCB contamination in the Delaware River and Bay."

The commissioners provided that a peer review advisory committee will be established to evaluate the PMPs and advise regulators on their anticipated effectiveness. The committee also will provide advice on additional measures that may be practicable.

PCBs, which have been classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen, are present in the waters of the Delaware Estuary at concentrations 1,000 times higher than the water quality criteria. The U.S. banned the manufacture and general use of PCBs in the late 1970s, but not before 1.5 billion pounds of the substance was produced. PCBs were used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment because they don't burn easily and are good insulators. Despite the ban, equipment containing PCBs are still in use due to the extended life span of the equipment. The chemical stability of PCBs, which encouraged their use in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications, also allows them to persist in the environment. PCBs enter fish and other wildlife through absorption or ingestion, and accumulate in their tissues at levels many times higher than in the surrounding water and at levels unsuitable for human consumption.

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by President John F. Kennedy and the governors of the four basin states with land drained by the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania). The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

For more information, visit the DRBC’s web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contacts:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260
Robert Tudor, (609) 883-9500 ext. 208

* * *

DRBC Financial Struggles Continue Due To Lack Of Funding

17 Feb 2005

For Immediate Release

February 17, 2005

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) at a recent meeting unanimously adopted its $4.9 million annual operating budget for fiscal year (FY) 2006 (July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006). For the second consecutive year, a mechanism was put into place for program and other service reductions if the five commission members do not fully contribute their fair share of the annual budget.

"The FY 2006 budget calls for no increase in the signatory funding levels that have been in place since fiscal year 2002, despite the rising costs of delivering services over the past four years," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "This underscores the urgent need for the federal government and our four basin states to fully pay their fair share contributions."

Although the five members agreed in the 100-year compact to support the commission's annual budget, very serious signatory revenue shortfalls have plagued the DRBC since 1997 when the federal government's contribution was eliminated by the U.S. Congress. The cumulative federal shortfall now totals over $5.7 million, exceeding the size of the DRBC's annual budget. Over this same period, the cumulative shortfall from New York State has reached $691,000.

"In the current fiscal year, the DRBC is being forced to cut spending by approximately $656,000, or about 13% of our adopted FY 2005 budget, due to the funding shortfalls from two of our five members," Collier said. "These additional cuts were required in order to protect the financial health of the commission, but at a serious cost to program output and staff morale. Such reductions cannot be sustained year after year because there is no fat in this agency to cut. We are now down to the bone and any reductions will hurt the commission and the basin community."

Decisions not to fill vacant positions as well as the reorganization of the Delaware Estuary Program previously housed at the DRBC have resulted in savings of over $340,000 in the current fiscal year. An additional $175,000 is expected to be saved by reductions in supplies and materials, building services, communications, travel, and maintenance/acquisition of computers/vehicles.

"Since most of the DRBC's expenses are personnel-related, programs have directly suffered by our cuts this fiscal year," Collier said. "We had to temporarily suspend our Flood Advisory Committee and its important flood loss reduction efforts on July 1, 2004, shortly before we witnessed the worst mainstem river flooding since 1955 in September. In addition, we were forced to cut back on monitoring activities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania tidal tributaries and in November 2004 we found ourselves facing a major oil spill in the Delaware where having that lost information could have proved very useful. The basin community would have been better served had these reductions not been necessary."

"Senator Arlen Specter continues to lead the efforts to restore federal funding and he was nearly successful in November 2004," Collier noted. "We are very grateful to him, along with Senator Tom Carper, Senator Jon Corzine, and Rep. Jim Gerlach who have all taken leadership roles on our behalf. We hope that all of the members of the congressional delegation representing the 15 million people who rely on the basin's waters will strongly and actively support efforts to restore our funding before additional program cuts become necessary," Collier added.

Commission programs that might be impacted during the July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006 fiscal year if budgeted signatory party contributions are not realized include:

Technical and administrative support of flow management negotiations between the four basin states and New York City, including efforts to better define flows needed to support in-stream fisheries;
Technical assistance/coordination on fish and wildlife habitat efforts;
Cost-shared projects with federal partners where the DRBC would act as the local sponsor, thereby losing opportunities to bring much-needed dollars into the basin;
Flood loss reduction efforts;
Assessment of water quality impairments and assisting states in the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs);
Timely implementation of toxics pollution control initiatives;
Water quality monitoring and analysis;
Timely review of water withdrawal or discharge docket (permit) applications requiring DRBC action in order to proceed;
$250,000 in technical studies that would support the recently adopted basin plan's goals and objectives; and
Education and public outreach.

For more information about the commission's budget and services reduction plan, visit the DRBC's web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

DRBC To Hold Two Informational Meetings On Proposed Rulemaking To Protect The Delaware River

13 Oct 2004

For Immediate Release

October 13, 2004

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold meetings on October 14 in Stockton, N.J. and October 20 in Easton, Pa. to inform the public about proposed rulemaking intended to protect existing high water quality in a 76-mile stretch of the non-tidal Delaware River.

The October 14 meeting will take place in the Prallsville Mills Complex, 33 Risler Street (Route 29), in Stockton. The October 20 meeting in Easton will be held in Room 315 of the Acopian Engineering Building, High Street, on the campus of Lafayette College. Both public meetings will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. and will include presentations by DRBC staff as well as a question and answer period.

"The DRBC has been engaged in a comprehensive water quality study in the Lower Delaware River from the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area downstream to the head of tide at Trenton to determine eligibility for inclusion in the commission's Special Protection Waters program," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said.

"Based on the water quality data collected, the DRBC has found that the Lower Delaware River is characterized by exceptionally high scenic, recreational, and ecological values and water supply uses that we believe require special protection. As a result, the DRBC is proposing to amend its Special Protection Waters regulations to include this 76-mile stretch of the non-tidal Lower Delaware River," Collier said.

The regulations, adopted by the DRBC in 1992, created a Special Protection Waters (SPW) classification designed to prevent degradation in streams and rivers considered to have exceptionally high scenic, recreational, ecological or water supply values. The regulations discourage, but do not ban, direct discharges of wastewater to the designated waterways, stipulating that "no new or expanded wastewater discharges or expansions of existing discharges shall be permitted in Special Protection Waters until all non-discharge/load reduction alternatives have been fully evaluated and rejected because of technical and/or financial infeasibility."

The 1992 SPW regulations focused on controlling point (or "end-of-pipe") sources of pollution to maintain existing high water quality. In 1994, the regulations were amended to add language dealing with the complex issue of non-point source pollutants that are found in runoff, especially after heavy rains.

At the present time, 121 miles of the Delaware River from Hancock, N.Y. downstream to the Delaware Water Gap has been classified by the DRBC as Special Protection Waters. If the proposed rulemaking is adopted, the entire 197-mile non-tidal Delaware River will be covered by the SPW anti-degradation regulations.

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network petitioned the DRBC in April 2001 to classify the 76-mile stretch now under consideration as Special Protection Waters following the decision by the federal government in 2000 to add portions of the Lower Delaware River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

A formal hearing to accept public testimony will be held on October 27 at approximately 2 p.m. as part of the DRBC's regularly scheduled business meeting to be held in the Kirby Auditorium of the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, in Philadelphia. In the event all those who wish to testify cannot be heard on October 27, the hearing will be continued at a date, time and location to be announced by the commission chair that day. Written comments will be accepted through November 30, 2004. Following a review of all public comments, final action by the commissioners on the proposed rulemaking will likely take place in early 2005.

For more information about the proposed rulemaking, including the full text of the draft resolution and directions to the meeting locations, visit the DRBC’s web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

Completion Of The "Water Resources Plan For The Delaware River Basin" Celebrated In Wilmington

13 Sep 2004

For Immediate Release

September 13, 2004

(WILMINGTON, DEL.) -- Elected and environmental leaders from Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the federal government, along with other interested watershed stakeholders, met today at Dravo Plaza on Wilmington's Christina Riverfront to celebrate the completion of the Water Resources Plan for the Delaware River Basin.

"Today's event marks an important milestone that was initiated by a 1999 challenge from the governors of our four basin states along with the federal government to lay out a policy direction for the use, protection, and enhancement of the basin's water resources through the year 2030," Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier said.

Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner was joined by DRBC Federal Representative Brigadier General Merdith W.B. Temple, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water Assistant Director Fred R. Nuffer in a ceremonial signing of a resolution supporting the implementation of the basin plan.

A number of federal agency representatives also participated by signing the resolution in affirmation of their agency's support of the basin plan. These participants included Jane M. Kenny, Region II Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Donald S. Welsh, Region III Administrator, EPA; Joe DiBello, Northeast Regional Partnership Programs Manager, National Park Service; Catherine L. Hill, Northeast Regional Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey; Marvin E. Moriarty, Region V Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Anthony J. Kramer, N.J. State Conservationist and designated Regional Representative for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The basin plan is a 30-year, goal-based framework that will serve as a guide for all stakeholders -- government and non-governmental alike -- whose actions affect water resources in the 13,539-square-mile Delaware River Basin that drains portions of the four states. Nearly 15 million people (approximately five percent of the nation’s population) rely on the waters of the basin for drinking and industrial use.

A Watershed Advisory Council, whose members represent a broad spectrum of basin interests ranging from business and industry to environmental advocacy groups, worked closely with DRBC staff, the commission’s standing advisory committees, and ad hoc committees in the facilitated, consensus-building process used to forge the basin plan. Several public meetings were held throughout the basin since 2001 to gather input and broaden awareness of the plan beyond the valued group of stakeholders who participated most closely in its development over the past three years.

Support for enhancing public participation and regional cooperation in the development of the basin plan was generously provided by a grant from the William Penn Foundation.

The goal-based plan to guide policy and action includes five desired results:

An adequate and reliable supply of suitable quality water to sustain human and ecological needs through 2030;
Managing the system of waterway corridors to reduce flood losses, improve recreational experiences, and protect, conserve, and restore riparian and aquatic ecosystems;
Integrating water resource management considerations into land use planning and growth management while recognizing the social and economic needs of communities;
Strengthening partnerships for the management of water resources among all levels of government, the private sector, and individuals sharing an interest in sustainable water resources management; and
Providing opportunities to enhance appreciation and commitment to the protection, improvement, and restoration of the basin's water resources.

The plan is prefaced by a set of twelve guiding principles against which all policy decisions and actions affecting water resource management should be measured. It also suggests a set of goals and objectives with milestones and indicators to measure progress towards achieving the plan's desired results.

The basin plan emphasizes integration and collaboration, and is not prescriptive or regulatory.

"Today we celebrate a visionary plan that reflects the investment of countless hours of discussion and creativity among many individuals from throughout the Delaware River Basin who responded to our governors' 1999 challenge," Collier said. "However, much work lies ahead as we now strive to develop strategies and take action to realize the goals laid out in that plan over the next 30 years."

Also on hand to join the celebration was Benjamin H. Grumbles, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of Water, who offered remarks about the two-and-a-half day conference, "Watershed Summit on the Delaware: Making the Connection," which followed the ceremonial signing event. The Sept. 13-15 conference, also held in Wilmington, will cover a wide range of environmental issues in the Delaware River Basin by encouraging communication, outreach, and partnerships. One panel session will discuss the basin plan and how it provides a framework for water resources management. The summit is being sponsored by the EPA and DRBC, with the support and assistance of a number of additional agencies and organizations.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among the four basin states and the federal government. Its members include the four governors and a federal representative appointed by the president. Commission programs include water quality protection, watershed planning, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, drought management, flood control, and recreation. The creation of the commission marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

For more information about the basin plan, visit the DRBC's web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

Delaware River Basin Plan Signing Ceremony In Wilmington To Feature Governor Minner And Officials From Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, And The Federal Government

10 Sep 2004

For Immediate Release

September 10, 2004

Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner will be joined by Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Federal Representative Brigadier General Merdith W.B. Temple, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Water Assistant Director Fred R. Nuffer in a ceremonial signing of a resolution supporting the implementation of the "Water Resources Plan for the Delaware River Basin."

When? Monday, September 13, 2004, 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Where? Dravo Plaza, South Madison Street next to the Shipyard Shops,
along the Christina River in Wilmington, Del. (Directions below)

The five federal and state government representatives will each offer brief remarks.

A number of federal agency representatives also will participate by signing the resolution in affirmation of their agency’s support of the basin plan, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The public is invited to attend and affirm their support of the plan, which will be officially released and distributed at the event.

The basin plan is a 30-year, goal-based framework that will serve as a guide for all governmental and non-governmental stakeholders whose actions affect water resources in the Delaware River Basin. It is the product of a four-year stakeholder process initiated by the governors of the four states with land draining to the Delaware River and Bay -- Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Following the signing event, the "Watershed Summit on the Delaware: Making the Connection," will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the nearby Wyndham Hotel, 700 North King Street, in Wilmington. The Sept. 13-15 conference is being sponsored by the EPA and DRBC, with the support and assistance of a number of additional agencies and organizations.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Directions to the Wilmington Riverfront for September 13, 2004
Delaware River Basin Plan Signing Ceremony at Dravo Plaza
(Courtesy of the Riverfront Development Corporation’s Web Site)

Directions from New York/New Jersey
Take the New Jersey Turnpike South to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Continue through the toll plaza and stay to the left. Follow the sign that reads South to I-95 & Wilmington/Baltimore. Take the I-95 N to Wilmington. Take Exit 6 in Wilmington, Delaware (Maryland Avenue) and turn right onto Maryland Avenue. Follow the signs to the Riverfront, turning right just before the 1st traffic light. Turn right onto South Madison Street.

Directions from Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
Take I-95 South to Exit 6 in Wilmington, Delaware (Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). Turn left at the 4th traffic light onto Martin Luther King Blvd. Turn right at the 3rd traffic light onto South Madison Street.

Directions from Maryland
Take I-95 North to Exit 6 in Wilmington, Delaware (Maryland Avenue) and turn right onto Maryland Avenue. Follow the signs to the Riverfront, turning right just before the 1st traffic light. Turn right onto South Madison Street.

Pennsylvania's Adopted Budget Includes DRBC Funding For State Water Resource Planning

15 Jul 2004

For Immediate Release

July 15, 2004

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's 2004-05 fiscal year budget recently signed into law by Governor Edward G. Rendell includes $250,000 for the commission to help fulfill key components of the state water plan now under development.

"The opportunity for the DRBC to provide this important water resources planning assistance would not have been possible without the valuable support of many legislators, especially Senator Stewart Greenleaf and Representative Dave Steil who led the efforts to obtain the necessary state funding," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said.

The funding was included as a line item in the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) budget. The detailed work plan to be finalized between DRBC and DEP will include the task of developing and refining water supply and demand reports on a more detailed watershed basis based on an evaluation of the water resources of the Pennsylvania portion of the Delaware River Basin.

"Understanding future water demand is vital to ensuring an adequate and reliable water supply for all users of the resource," Collier added.

A related initiative likely to be included in the work plan is the development of baseline data to help identify potential critical water planning areas.

The funding also will allow the DRBC to construct a water demand model to assess alternative water conservation programs and their impacts on projected growth trends. "The commission has a wealth of experience and expertise in developing and administering water conservation policies that will be of benefit to DEP as it establishes its Water Resources Technical Assistance Center," Collier said.

The objectives of the State Water Plan, required by the Water Resources Planning Act of 2002 or Act 220, are to assure adequate supplies of water to present and future users, conserve water and land resources, and to utilize the water resources toward sustaining the Commonwealth’s social, economic, and environmental future.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among the four basin states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware) and the federal government. Commission programs include water quality protection, watershed planning, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, drought management, flood control and recreation. The creation of the commission marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

For more information about the commission and its activities, visit the DRBC’s web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

Senate Committee Approves Bill Directing Restoration Of Federal Funding To DRBC

24 Jun 2004

For Immediate Release

June 24, 2004

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today announced that the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee earlier this week approved the Water Resources Development Act of 2004 (WRDA) directing the federal government to pay its 20 percent share of the commission's annual budget.

"We applaud the efforts of Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), who serves as a member of the committee, for the critically important role he played in securing this language in the bill," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "We know that there are still several steps ahead in the legislative process before this bill can be signed into law and federal funds are actually received, but we are very encouraged that Senator Carper has achieved this important milestone in the fight for the future of the DRBC."

The federal government, New York State, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania agreed to support the DRBC's annual budget when President Kennedy and the four governors signed into law the compact creating the commission in 1961. However, the federal government since 1996 has ignored this agreement by failing to fund its 20 percent "fair share" of the DRBC's annual budget while remaining an active voting commission member possessing the same powers and authority as the other signatory parties.

"We are still facing very serious, imminent program cutbacks unless Washington can be convinced that the commission is deserving of federal dollars to support our important work in partnership with our five signatory parties as envisioned by President Kennedy and the 87th Congress 43 years ago," Collier said.

According to Senator Carper's office, the legislation is scheduled to be considered by the full Senate later this summer. The House of Representatives already approved its version of the WRDA bill last year that would authorize, but not require, the Secretary of the Army to fulfill the equitable funding requirements of the DRBC compact.

Other efforts are continuing to restore DRBC federal funding into appropriations bills now being considered by the Congress. The House Appropriations Committee did not include DRBC funding in its Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill which is awaiting full House consideration. Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a staunch stalwart of restoring DRBC funding, has pledged to restore federal funding for DRBC's operating budget in the Senate bill still being drafted by the committee and to push for its adoption in conference with the House.

"On behalf of the DRBC commissioners and staff, I would like to thank those federal legislators who favor federal funding restoration as well as the many individuals and organizations who have written letters and voiced their support of the commission," Collier said.

The passage of the compact creating the DRBC marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency. Commission programs include water quality protection, watershed planning, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, drought management, flood control and recreation.

For more information about the budget crisis, visit the DRBC's web site at www.drbc.net.

* * *
Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

10th Annual Delaware River Sojourn June 7-14, 2004

19 May 2004

For Immediate Release

May 19, 2004

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The 2004 Delaware River Sojourn, an annual event that combines canoeing, kayaking, camping, educational programs, historical interpretation, and more, will be held June 7-14.

The theme for this year's event is "Celebrating a National Wild and Scenic River" in honor of the two stretches of the river that recently observed the 25th anniversary of their inclusion into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. One section extends 73 miles from the confluence of the river's East and West branches at Hancock, N.Y. downstream to Milrift, Pa.; the second covers about 40 miles from just south of Port Jervis, N.Y. downstream to the Delaware Water Gap near Stroudsburg, Pa.

"It's an anniversary celebration for our nationally important Delaware River," Sojourn Steering Committee Chair Suzanne Forbes said. "There is still time for interested persons to sign up and join us in celebrating the sojourn's 10th year, the 25th anniversary of the 'Wild and Scenic' designations, and the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Decree that continues to play an important role in interstate flow management of our river."

Highlights of the trip include:

Pre-Sojourn Evening Campfire - Sunday, June 6: Minisink Ford (N.Y.)

Monday, June 7: Narrowsburg (N.Y.) to Minisink Ford (14 miles)

Tuesday, June 8: Minisink Ford to Matamoras (Pa.) (19 miles)

Wednesday, June 9: Bushkill (Pa.) to Worthington State Forest (N.J.) (12 miles)

Thursday, June 10: Worthington State Forest to Portland (Pa.) (10 miles)

Friday, June 11: Washington Crossing State Park (N.J.) to Bordentown Beach (N.J.) (14 miles)

Saturday, June 12: Crosswicks Creek to Bordentown Marsh (N.J.) (8 miles)

Sunday, June 13: Round trip from Palmyra Cove Nature Park (N.J.) to Mill Creek Park (N.J.) on the Rancocas Creek (16 miles)

Monday, June 14: Round trip from Palmyra Cove exploring the Pennsauken Creek (10 miles)

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills. Sojourners may sign up for the entire eight day trip or for the day(s) of their choice. A $35 daily fee covers shuttle transportation, most meals, educational programs, insurance, a souvenir T-shirt, and optional overnight camping sites. There is an additional rental charge for those who do not provide their own river-worthy boat ($6 for a canoe or $12 for a kayak). Registrations must be postmarked by May 24 in order to avoid a $20 late fee.

For details and registration information, visit the sojourn web site (hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission) at www.delawareriversojourn.org or call Flo Mauro at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, (570) 828-9692.

Over the years, the Delaware River Sojourn has focused mounting attention on the river, creating an awareness of the important role it plays in the lives of the nearly 15 million people (approximately five percent of the nation’s population) who rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin for drinking and industrial use. Government officials have paddled the Delaware and its tributaries during past sojourns, coming away with a better understanding of the importance of protecting a resource which has so much to offer their constituents.

The non-profit, annual event is organized by a steering committee representing various organizations and government agencies working in the four basin states of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260, clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

***

DRBC To Hold Public Meetings In Philadelphia On A New Water Resources Plan For The Delaware River Basin

23 Feb 2004

For Immediate Release

February 23, 2004

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has scheduled a set of meetings tomorrow in Philadelphia to get feedback from the public on a draft water resources plan for the basin.

When: Feb. 24, 2004, 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. (registration 1:30 p.m.); and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (registration 6:30 p.m.).

Where: Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center, 640 Waterworks Drive, Philadelphia, Pa. (directions can be found on the DRBC's web site at www.drbc.net).

The draft plan is the product of a four-year stakeholder process initiated by the governors of the four states with land draining to the Delaware River and Bay -- New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York.

The five key areas included in the plan are sustainable water use and supply, waterway corridor management, linking land and water resource management, institutional coordination and cooperation, and education and involvement for stewardship.

A Watershed Advisory Council, whose members represent a broad spectrum of basin interests ranging from business and industry to environmental advocacy groups, worked with DRBC staff and technical advisory committees in compiling the draft plan.

A copy of the plan, along with supporting documents, can be found on the DRBC's web site.

* * *

Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

DRBC To Hold Public Meetings In Millville On A New Water Resources Plan For The Delaware River Basin

13 Feb 2004

For Immediate Release

February 13, 2004

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has scheduled a set of meetings next week in Millville to get feedback from the public on a draft water resources plan for the basin.

When: Feb. 19, 2004, 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. (registration 1:30 p.m.); and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (registration 6:30 p.m.).

Where: Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, 22 North High Street, Millville, N.J. (directions can be found on the DRBC's web site at www.drbc.net).

The draft plan is the product of a four-year stakeholder process initiated by the governors of the four states with land draining to the Delaware River and Bay (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York).

A copy of the plan, along with supporting documents, can be found on the DRBC's web site.

* * *

Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

DRBC To Hold Public Meetings In Bethlehem On A New Water Resources Plan For The Delaware River Basin

06 Feb 2004

For Immediate Release

February 6, 2004

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has scheduled a set of meetings next week in Bethlehem to get feedback from the public on a draft water resources plan for the basin.

When: Feb. 10, 2004, 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. (registration 1:30 p.m.); and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (registration 6:30 p.m.)

Where: Iacocca Hall, Mountaintop Campus, Lehigh University (directions can be found on the DRBC's web site at www.drbc.net).

The draft plan is the product of a four-year stakeholder process initiated by the governors of the four states with land draining to the Delaware River and Bay (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware).

A copy of the plan, along with supporting documents, can be found on the DRBC's web site.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

DRBC Approves FY 2005 Budget

21 Jan 2004

For Immediate Release

January 21, 2004

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today adopted its $4.867 million annual operating budget for fiscal year 2005 (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005) and put in place a mechanism for program and other service reductions totaling an estimated $869,000 if the five commission members do not fully contribute their fair share of the budget.

The five commissioners, who represent the governors of the four states with land drained by the Delaware River (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the United States, directed DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier "... to implement any or all of the actions outlined in the schedule entitled 'Services Reduction Plan for Fiscal Year 2005 Resulting from Signatory Party Shortfalls' or additional actions that she deems appropriate to maintain the financial stability of the General Fund."

The DRBC was formed by compact in 1961 through legislation signed into law by the President of the United States and the governors of the four basin states. The passage of this compact marked the first time in our nation's history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency. The 100-year compact stipulates that the five signatory parties agree to support the commission's annual budget. The federal government adhered to this legislative obligation for 35 years, paying its 20 percent share of the DRBC's annual operating budget. Then in 1996, Washington zeroed out the DRBC's federal appropriation while remaining an active voting commission member possessing the same powers and authority as the other signatory parties.

"Since October 1, 1996, the commission has continued, and in some cases even expanded, its many important duties relating to interstate flow and drought management, pollution control, watershed planning, flood protection, permitting, and education/outreach without federal support of its annual operating budget," Collier said. "In some cases, we were able to obtain grant funding; for the most part, however, we dipped into our reserves. The cumulative federal shortfall has grown to $5.7 million in a small agency with a $5 million annual budget, and the reserves have been practically exhausted."

The failure of the signatory parties to provide their full fair share contribution has led to annual revenue shortfalls of as much as $869,000 over the past several fiscal years, of which $694,000 (or 80 percent) was due to the loss of the federal contribution.
"We are now facing very serious program cutbacks unless Washington can be convinced that the commission is deserving of federal dollars to support its annual operating budget as envisioned by President Kennedy and the 87th Congress 43 years ago," Collier said.

"Senator Arlen Specter from Pennsylvania is leading the charge to restore federal funding, and his efforts in the fall of 2003 came close to being successful. He has pledged to try again this year and we are grateful to him and the other members of the U.S. Senate and House who support federal funding restoration. But time is running out before we are faced with painful decisions," Collier added.

Commission programs that might be impacted include efforts to reduce the amount of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other toxics in the Delaware River, flood loss reduction, river flow management and fisheries protection, possible expansion of the DRBC's Special Protection Waters regulations into the Lower Delaware, water quality monitoring/analysis, interstate watershed partnerships, timely reviews of project applications, public education/outreach, and cost-shared projects with federal partners.

For more information about the budget and the services reduction plan, visit the DRBC's web site at http://www.drbc.net.

* * *

Contact:
Clarke Rupert, (609) 883-9500 ext. 260

* * *

Kids Help Celebrate World Water Monitoring Day

23 Oct 2003

For Immediate Release

October 23, 2003

WHEN: Friday, October 24, 2003, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(This event was originally scheduled for Oct. 17, but postponed last week due to the weather.)

WHERE: Along the banks of the Delaware River at Washington Crossing State Park, near the intersection of Routes 29 and 546, in Titusville, N.J.

***

Local students and teachers will interact with staff from the Delaware River Basin Commission, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Geological Survey as these agencies demonstrate different water quality monitoring techniques.

Students also will have the opportunity to conduct their own water quality tests.

Representatives from the three government agencies will offer brief welcoming remarks at 10:30 a.m. before the students and teachers spend about 20 minutes at each of the six demonstration stations that will be set up in an area between the Delaware River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal in the historic park.

Capture local children pitching in to protect the world's waters.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Directions to Washington Crossing State Park

Additional Information on World Water Monitoring Day

Public Hearing Set On Proposal To Reduce PCB Levels In The Delaware River

15 Oct 2003

For Immediate Release

October 15, 2003

(PHILADELPHIA) - A public hearing on a proposal to establish limits on the amount of polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware River is set for Thursday (October 16, 2003) in Philadelphia.

It will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Independence Visitor Center, One North Independence Mall West (6th and Market Streets). Written comments also may be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on or before October 21.

The EPA has classified PCBs as a probable human carcinogen. Although their production was banned in the United States in the late 1970s, existing uses were not affected and substantial amounts of the substance remain in the environment. PCBs are used in thousands of industrial and commercial applications, including electrical transformers and in paint, plastic, and rubber products.

The subject of the hearing is a set of proposed TMDLs, or total maximum daily loads.

A TMDL is essentially a "pollution budget." It sets the maximum amount of a specific pollutant, in this case PCBs, that can be introduced into a river or stream without violating applicable water quality standards. It then allocates that total amount among all sources of the pollutant in the watershed, which must then reduce individual pollutant loads to those allocated levels.

The TMDLs address both point source (end-of-pipe) discharges into the river and non-point sources, such as stormwater runoff, Superfund sites, and air deposition of PCBs.

"The Delaware River is the cleanest it's been in decades," noted Carol R. Collier, executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). "But the presence of PCBs remains a problem. States bordering the river have issued fish consumption advisories because of elevated levels of PCBs in fish tissue. The goal is to reduce the level of this toxic substance to a point where the standards are met and the advisories no longer are necessary."

The DRBC, working in concert with Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, the EPA, and other partners, developed the technical basis for four TMDLs to address four different water quality zones in the river's tidal reach, the 85-mile stretch from Trenton, N.J., downstream to the head of the Delaware Bay, near Liston Point, Del.

DRBC staff worked closely with the commission's Toxics Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from the states, the EPA, municipal and industrial dischargers, academia, agriculture, public health, environmental organizations, and fish and wildlife interests.

After review and consideration of public comments, the EPA will establish the TMDLs in final form. It will then forward them to the environmental regulatory agencies in the three states which will incorporate the TMDLs into their water quality management plans. The deadline for the EPA to adopt the TMDLs is December 15, 2003, a date set in a lawsuit against the federal government.

"The reduction in PCB levels will not be achieved overnight," said Collier. "Point source dischargers will be required to develop and implement PCB waste reduction plans, and non-point pollution reduction strategies will need to be developed. Fortunately, some large dischargers along the river already are conducting studies to track down PCBs on a voluntary basis."

***

The DRBC Unveils New Management Tools To Combat PCBs

17 Sep 2003

For Immediate Release

September 17, 2003

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Management tools which will play a key role in a program to reduce the amount of polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware River will be the subject of public meetings next week in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.

The tools, known in regulatory jargon as Total Maximum Daily Loads (or TMDLs), were prepared by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and are being established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of an ongoing program to protect human health and aquatic life in the river.

A TMDL is essentially a "pollution budget." It sets the maximum amount of a specific pollutant that can be assimilated by a river or stream without violating applicable water quality standards. It then allocates that amount among all sources in the watershed -- both point and non-point -- which must then reduce loads to the allocated levels in order to achieve and maintain the standards.

The commission, working in concert with Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, the EPA, and other partners, developed four TMDLs to address different water quality zones in the river's tidal reach, the 85-mile stretch from Trenton, N.J., downstream to the head of the Delaware Bay, near Liston Point, Del.

Each TMDL must provide for the achievement of the applicable water quality standard within the zone and also must ensure that water quality in downstream zones is adequately protected.

The EPA has classified PCBs as a probable human carcinogen. The United States banned the manufacturing of PCBs in the late1970s. Prior to that, 1.5 billion pounds of the substance were manufactured in this country and used in thousands of industrial and commercial applications, including electrical transformers and in paint, plastic, and rubber products.

The public informational meetings will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on September 22 in Wilmington, Del., (Carvel State Office Building, 820 North French St.); September 24 in Trenton. N.J., (NJDEP offices, 401 East State St.); and September 25 in Conshohocken, Pa., (PADEP offices, Lee Park, 555 North Lane). A public hearing will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on October 16 in Philadelphia (Independence Visitor Center, One North Independence Mall West) where the public can offer comments for the record. Written comments also may be submitted to the EPA on or before October 21.

The deadline for the EPA to approve the TMDLs is December 15, a date set in a lawsuit against the federal government.

"These pollution budgets will facilitate the development of clean-up plans to protect both human health and the environment," noted Carol R. Collier, the DRBC's executive director. "The ultimate goal is removal of fish consumption advisories that have been issued by the three states due to elevated concentrations of PCBs in fish tissue."

In the spring of 2000, the states and EPA asked the commission to take the lead in developing the technical basis for the TMDLs. DRBC staff worked closely with the commission's Toxics Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from the states, the EPA, municipal and industrial dischargers, academia, agriculture, public health, environmental organizations, and fish and wildlife interests.

The four TMDLs published this week on the DRBC's web site (www.drbc.net) address point source (end-of-pipe) discharges from 92 municipal and industrial wastewater facilities along the river which are identified as potential sources of PCBs. They also highlight the challenge associated with reducing non-point PCB sources, such as stormwater runoff, Superfund sites, and air deposition of PCBs into the river.

The reduction in PCB levels will not be achieved overnight. Point source dischargers will be required to develop and implement PCB waste reduction plans, and non-point pollution reduction strategies will need to be developed. Fortunately, some large dischargers along the river already are conducting studies to track down PCBs on a voluntary basis.

***

New Map Depicts Recreational Opportunities In Delaware River Basin

19 May 2003

For Immediate Release

May 19, 2003

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Looking for a spot to launch your boat, or get an idea of how much water is flowing in a river or stream?

Check out "i-Map DelBasin," an internet mapping project that features recreational opportunities in the Delaware River Basin.

The application identifies sites to launch boats, gauging stations that provide river flows, locations where recreational boaters can safely pump out marine heads, state and federal parks, and state and federal fish consumption advisories. You can even find directions to get you to your location of choice.

I-Map DelBasin was developed by the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC's) Information Management Advisory Committee (IMAC), consisting of GIS experts from the four states whose land is drained by the Delaware River -- New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Lehigh University, along with commission staff.

Under the i-Map DelBasin application, dissimilar reference maps from the four states are customized into one standardized map, with a uniform scale.

"If you are a kayaker or canoeist looking for white water, interested in how much water is flowing in a river or stream, then i-Map DelBasin is for you," said Larry Thornton, IMAC’s chair. "I-Map DelBasin gives you this information and much more in a friendly internet interface, and you don’t have to be a GIS expert to use it."

I-Map can be found on the DRBC web site or on the Delaware Estuary Program web site. Specialized GIS software is not needed to run the application. It will work best with Internet Explorer, version 5.0 and above.

The DRBC provided $40,000 in funding for the project; DELEP and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, $5,000 each.

***

Paddle The Delaware: A River Of Many Moods, Contrasts And Demands

28 Apr 2003

For Immediate Release

April 28,, 2003

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Sojourn, an annual event highlighting many of the natural wonders created millions of years ago when the river was forcing its way to the sea, will be held June 14-21, 2003.

The theme for this year’s event is "The Delaware: More Than a River."

The journey will begin at Narrowsburg, N.Y., the deepest spot on the non-tidal Delaware. Traveling in canoes and kayaks, the sojourners will pass lush woodlands, home of black bears and white-tailed deer, and towering bluffs where red-tailed hawks float on thermal currents.

They will witness sharp contrasts fashioned by time -- the geological grandeur of the Delaware Water Gap and the concrete stream of cars and rattling trucks on Interstate 80 which abruptly cuts across the river there.

The journey will end at Philadelphia, site of the second largest oil refining-petrochemical complex in the United States. It’s also where a much cleaner Delaware has re-opened a passageway for migrating sports fish like shad and striped bass and lured an increasing number of recreational boaters to its docks and to marinas across the river at Camden.

Indeed, the sojourners will experience a river of many moods, contrasts, and demands.

Over the years, the Delaware River Sojourn has focused mounting attention on the river, creating an awareness of the important role it plays in the lives of the more than seven million people who live in the watershed. High ranking government officials have paddled the Delaware and its tributaries during past sojourns, coming away with a better understanding of the importance of protecting a resource which has so much to offer their constituents.

The 2003 sojourn is being sponsored by Rohm and Haas Company, Sunoco, Reliant Energy, Delaware River Family Campground, Inc., and Driftstone, Inc. Financial support also is being provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds & Rivers (POWR), and the William Penn Foundation.

For more information visit the Delaware River Basin Commission’s (DRBC’s) web site (www.drbc.net) or call the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) at 570-828-2319

The sojourn is suitable for people with varying paddling skills. This year, the 86-mile journey contains river reaches with relatively easy (Class I) and moderate (Class II) rapids. Other stretches feature flat water. On the last day, sojourners will cruise aboard the sailboat “North Wind” and conduct water quality tests in the river and sample plankton.

Sojourns may sign up for the entire eight day trip or for the section or day(s) of their choice. Camping is available.

The non-profit event is arranged by the 2003 Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee. Its members are: the Academy of Natural Sciences, the American Canoe Association, Bucks County Open Space Partnership, Central Bucks West High School Environmental Club, DRBC, Delaware River Greenway Partnership, Delaware and Raritan Greenway, Gnarly River Women Paddling Club, National Canoe Safety Patrol, National Park Service, Palmyra Cove Nature Park, DCNR, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, PEEC, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc., and POWR.

***

DRBC Announces Eighth Annual "Water Snapshot," April 22-May 4

11 Apr 2003

For Immediate Release

April 11, 2003

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) invites the public to participate in Water Snapshot 2003, April 22 through May 4.

“This popular, water quality sampling event takes a ‘snapshot’ of the health of Delaware River Basin waterways around Earth Day, April 22,” DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. “We hope Water Snapshot will not only create a heightened awareness about our watersheds and the need for stewardship, but also provide much-deserved recognition to those volunteers who participate in water quality monitoring programs throughout the year.”

Snapshot is an opportunity for persons of all ages, experienced and first-timers, to collect water quality data. Some participants conduct a visual assessment while others use simple test kits or sophisticated instruments. The data are recorded on sheets provided to participants and forwarded to the DRBC, where the information will be posted on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net without regard to the precision of the testing equipment or the expertise of the data collector.

“Our goal is to provide participants with a fun, ‘hands-on’ opportunity to learn more about, and feel connected to, their local watershed,” Collier said.

“In response to very positive feedback, I am again pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of free, simple test kits to interested schools and organizations in the Delaware River Basin on a first-come, first-served basis,” Collier added. Funding for the Water Snapshot monitoring kits is being provided by the William Penn Foundation. Those interested in a free kit should contact the DRBC.

The DRBC web site at www.drbc.net features useful information for Water Snapshot participants, including the downloadable data sheet, explanations of water quality terminology, links to watershed organizations, training opportunities, maps, and updated news. Persons unable to access the Internet may call the DRBC at 609-883-9500, ext. 260 for information.

In addition to the DRBC, the Snapshot steering committee includes representatives from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware Nature Society, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, National Park Service, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Upper Delaware Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Heavy Snowfall Increases Potential For Flooding In The Delaware River Basin

20 Feb 2003

For Immediate Release

February 20, 2003

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Heavy snow pack and the forecast for warmer temperatures and rain this coming weekend have increased the potential for flooding in the Delaware River Basin.

The recent snow storm has built up the basin's snow pack to its highest level since January 1996 when a record-breaking snowfall, followed by heavy rain and unseasonably warm temperatures, produced extensive flooding in the basin.

"We urge residents to monitor on-line flood forecast information, television and radio news broadcasts, and NOAA weather radio reports during this period of higher than normal flood potential," said Carol R. Collier, executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). "Because flooding from ice jams can occur quickly, stream-side residents should pay close attention to water levels and be ready to evacuate, if necessary."

Since the snow-melt flood of 1996, snow pack monitoring in the basin has been improved. The National Weather Service's (NWS') National Operational Remote Sensing Center makes daily snow pack estimates and posts them on its web site at http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/.

These estimates and other snow pack observations by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New York City are used by the NWS in its runoff modeling to develop river flood crest forecasts. When flood crests are predicted, they are posted by the NWS' Mt. Holly, N. J., office for the portion of the basin downstream of the Delaware Water Gap (near Stroudsburg, Pa.) at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/marfc/Forecasts/PHI_index.html, and by the NWS' Binghamton, N.Y., office for the area upstream of the Delaware Water Gap at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/marfc/Forecasts/BGM_index.html.

Statements on river ice conditions also are posted at these addresses under "Special River Statements." These NWS forecasts are available on the DRBC web site at www.drbc.net along with a wealth of other flood-related material.

The National Park Service and the U.S. Coast Guard also monitor ice conditions in the basin, which extends some 330 miles from the Delaware River's headwaters in the Catskill Mountains town of Hancock, N.Y., downstream to the mouth of the Delaware Bay.

As of February 19, ice jams were observed at the following locations: Delaware River at Port Jervis, N.Y.; above Milford, Pa.; and at Tocks Island and Trenton, N.J.; Schuylkill River above Reading, Pa.; East and West branches of Brandywine Creek in Chester County, Pa.; and Perkiomen Creek at Graterford, Pa.

As with flooding from runoff, flood forecasts associated with ice jams are posted by the NWS at the previously listed web sites.

The presence of a heavy snow pack can interfere with normal drainage and cause property damage, including basement flooding.

The following general guidance is applicable to the present snow melt flood potential

Clear gutters, down spouts, and blocked storm drains;
Make sure sump pumps are operating properly;
Stay tuned to local T.V. and radio news broadcasts, and monitor on-line information sources;
Monitor flood forecast information on NOAA weather radio;
If located in a flood plain, have a plan ready for moving personal property and pets if a flood warning is issued, and for finding shelter if an evacuation is ordered;
Do not drive on flooded roadways.

Additional recommendations for improving snow melt drainage around homes and other structures can be found at the North Dakota State University web site: http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/home/preventing-snow-melt-water-problems .

A number of public organizations offer tips on preparations for flooding. This information is available on the DRBC web site. In addition, a number of home insurance company web sites provide guidance on flood preparedness.

The DRBC hosts a Flood Advisory Committee comprised of representatives from 18 different flood loss reduction organizations in the Delaware River Basin. The committee has prepared a report with recommended flood warning improvements for the basin. These improvements are built around the NWS' Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services, which incorporates advances in Doppler Radar technology, runoff modeling, and computer technology to provide improved, graphically based flood forecast products.

Federal funding for these improvements is being sought. Copies of the report are available on the DRBC web site or upon request to the DRBC.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

New Maps And Guides Highlight Recreational Opportunities On The Schuylkill

19 Feb 2003

For Immediate Release

February 19, 2003

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Updated recreation maps of the Schuylkill River have been prepared by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) in partnership with the Schuylkill River Greenway Association and Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

The ten-map set covers the river from its headwaters near Tamaqua, Pa., to its confluence with the Delaware River at Philadelphia, some 125 miles downstream. Portions of the Little Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill's West Branch also are mapped.

The full color, waterproof maps depict public access areas along the river, as well as the location of riffles and rapids (white water), dams, bridges, forests, parks, and major highways. Sections of the river also are classified as to their degree of difficulty, based on ratings by the International Canoe Federation/America White Water Affiliation, field investigations, and published works about the Schuylkill.

In addition to the map set, the Schuylkill River Greenway Association has published the Schuylkill River Water Trail Guide, which includes detailed landing site maps, points of interest along the river, and travel tips and checklists to help paddlers and hikers enjoy a safe and informative journey. It is recommended that the guide be used in tandem with the maps. Order forms for the guide are included in the map set.

Proceeds from the sale of the guides will be reinvested into further development and maintenance of the Schuylkill River Water Trail. The map and guide projects were funded in part through a DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant.

Separately, the map set and guide cost $15 each. When purchased together, the price is $25 for both, a savings of $5. (The price includes shipping and handling.) To obtain the maps and guide, contact the Schuylkill River Greenway Association at 484-945-0200, or download an order form at www.schuylkillriver.org.

The DRBC is selling only the map set, originally issued in 1982. The cost is $15 per set. Ordering instructions can be found on the DRBC web site, www.drbc.net, or you can contact the commission in writing at P.O. Box 7360 West Trenton, NJ 08628, or by phone: 609-883-9500.

***

PWD Funds PCB Reduction Plan

26 Dec 2002

For Immediate Release

December 26, 2002

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has received a check for $19,000 from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) to be used to help develop a plan to reduce the amount of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) entering the tidal Delaware River.

The goal is to meet the river's water quality standards and thus eliminate the need for fish consumption advisories which have been in place for over a decade.

"The $19,000 was part of a larger $70,000 fine that the city collected against an industry for improperly disposing of its PCBs. In 1999, the city had used part of the fine it collected to fund a seminar for businesses on proper PCB disposal. Giving this money to the DRBC was the best use of these funds, as the only way we'll be able to address the PCB problem is through a comprehensive understanding of all the sources of PCBs, and working in partnership with all concerned," stated David Katz, Deputy Water Commissioner for the City of Philadelphia.

"The water department's contribution exemplifies the type of partnership between stakeholders and regulators that is essential if we are to achieve our shared goal of improving water quality in the Delaware Estuary," noted Carol R. Collier, the DRBC's Executive Director.

The plan to reduce PCB levels will be crafted by a commission-authorized TMDL Implementation Advisory Committee. The committee will be composed of approximately 20 representatives from industry, municipalities, environmental organizations, fish and wildlife interests, regulators, and others.

TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) set the quantity of a pollutant that can enter a water body daily without violating the water quality standards or triggering fish consumption advisories. Once a TMDL number is determined, decisions will have to be made on how that new, lower loading benchmark can be met.

It will require an analysis of inputs from tributary streams feeding the Delaware River, storm water runoff, point sources (end-of-pipe discharges), air deposition, and riverbed sediments, followed by the development of PCB reduction plans.

The existing water quality regulations, which took effect in 1997, set uniform standards for PCBs and other toxic pollutants for the 85-mile reach of the river from the head of tide at Trenton, N.J., downstream to the Delaware Bay, including tidal portions of tributary streams. The standards are designed to address the effects of acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic life, and the potential for harmful effects on humans through ingestion of untreated river water and/or the consumption of resident fish and shellfish.

The highest concentration of PCBs occurs in a 14-mile, heavily urbanized portion of the river between the old Philadelphia Navy Yard upstream to the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge.

In 1989, fish consumption advisories were issued for striped bass, white perch, and catfish by the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and later Delaware because of the presence of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in fish tissue samples. The advisories were prompted by studies conducted by the DRBC and state agencies.

Yet in spite of the advisories, overall water quality in the river has improved significantly in recent years, based on a sharp increase in fish populations.

According to a 1998 report issued by the DRBC, fisheries on the rebound include American shad, weakfish, striped bass, Atlantic croaker, Atlantic silversides, bay anchovy, black drum, hogchoker, northern kingfish and American eel.

On the downside, Atlantic sturgeon populations appear to be on the decline, as do the number of horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is a federal/interstate agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile watershed. Its members are the governors of the four basin states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) and a federal representative appointed by the President.

***

Corps To Lower Water Levels At F.E. Walter Dam

08 Nov 2002

For Immediate Release

November 8, 2002

(PHILADELPHIA) - In coordination with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today will begin lowering water levels at the Francis E. Walter Dam from 1,370 feet to its normal 1,300 feet.

"Based on hydrological conditions and adequate water supplies at Beltzville Lake and Blue Marsh Lake, we have determined that it is no longer necessary to store water at F.E. Walter in response to drought conditions," said Philadelphia District Engineer Lt. Col. Thomas C. Chapman.

The Corps had released approximately one billion gallons of water from F.E. Walter at the request of the DRBC for the purpose of maintaining the flow target at Trenton during the height of the drought.

"This inter-agency cooperation is a good example of what can be accomplished when we all work together," said Carol R. Collier, the DRBC's executive director. "The extra storage enabled us to bolster stream flows during the dry months to meet the needs of downstream users and to help protect aquatic life. It was a big help."

The plan calls for releasing water at an average of 750 to 1,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) until the normal level is reached by the end of December.

Immediate benefits of the water release include enhanced conditions for whitewater raft-ing beginning this weekend. In addition, the water level reduction will accelerate the emergence of the dam's local access road, which is currently 70 feet underwater.

F.E. Walter Dam is located on the Lehigh River and Bear Creek near White Haven, Pa.

***

A Birthday Worth Celebrating

17 Oct 2002

For Immediate Release

October 17, 2002

(TRENTON, N.J.) - A series of water monitoring demonstrations will be held on Friday, October 18, at the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park in Ewing Township, N.J., to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act and to celebrate National Water Monitoring Day.

The public is invited to attend.

11:45 a.m.: Opening remarks by invited guests, including Carol R. Collier, executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC); Gary Sondermeyer, chief of staff, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP); and Richard H. Kropp, district chief of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS's) New Jersey office.

Noon to 2:30 p.m.: Water sampling will be conducted by representatives from the three agencies.

Location: The monitoring will take place along both the Delaware and Raritan Canal and the Delaware River at the Scudders Falls area of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. The site off Route 175 is accessible by a wooden plank bridge spanning the canal. It is located in Ewing Township, N.J., about 100 yards south of the spot where Route 175 veers off to the right from Route 29 South -- at the approach to the I-95 Trenton/Lambertville Interchange. A site location map can be accessed on the DRBC web site.

Students from Perth Amboy, N.J., who have been actively involved with environmental issues, are expected to be on hand to both observe and take part in measuring the quality of the water.

Water monitoring equipment will be on display and the public and news media will have a chance to meet with the invited guests, the students, and the technical personnel who are conducting the monitoring activities.

The Clean Water Act, enacted on October 18, 1972, set the goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. In the three decades since its passage, pollution abatement programs have yielded measurable improvements in water quality.

Lakes and streams that once were devoid of fish and other aquatic life now support numerous and varied aquatic populations. Point source discharges from municipal and industrial waste water treatment plants are being monitored and controlled.

However, the act has not resolved all of the nation's water pollution problems. Non-point source pollutants contained in storm water runoff from urban and rural landscapes alike are imposing a significantly increasing threat to the nation's waters.

A lot has been accomplished; a lot more needs to be done.

National Water Monitoring Day, to be conducted annually, is being coordinated by America's Clean Water Foundation and its many partners to bring together citizens from around the country to sample their rivers and streams. A major goal of the program is to create an awareness of how important it is to protect our waterways, a resource on which our lives depend.

***

Link to National Water Monitoring Day on DRBC's Ed. Web Education Page

Grants Awarded For Scenic Rivers Protection

20 Sep 2002

For Immediate Release

September 20, 2002

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Seven municipalities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have received grants totaling $30,600 to help promote and protect a 65-mile reach of the Delaware River and selected tributaries which recently were included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

The municipal incentive grants, funded by the National Park Service, were awarded by the Lower Delaware Management Committee, which is responsible for implementing a plan to protect and enhance the "exceptional scenery, recreational opportunities, fisheries and wildlife ... and historic and cultural resources" along the nationally designated waterways between the Delaware Water Gap and Washington Crossing, Pa., just upstream of Trenton, N.J.

Receiving grants were:

Kingwood Township, N.J., $4,500 for the development of an environmental resource inventory

West Amwell Township, N.J., $5,000 to examine the existing zoning in a section of the township and its potential impact on water quality

Knowlton Township, N.J., $5,000 to purchase river-front property for a park

Hopewell Township, N.J., $4,000 for a study of properties to be preserved as part of a stream corridor preservation program

Tinicum Township, Pa., $4,100 for a Tinicum Creek restoration-education project

Bridgeton Township, Pa., $4,100 to map the existing natural and man-made features in the township

Portland Borough, Pa., $3,900 to replace the slate roof of an historic building

Members of the Lower Delaware Management Committee consist of representatives from towns and townships along the designated reach of the river, the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Departments of Environmental Protection, the National Park Service, the Delaware River Greenway Partnership, the Delaware River Basin Commission, conservation organizations, and interested members of the public. The committee meets quarterly; the next meeting is November 14, 2002.

To protect the water resources within the scenic stretch, a Lower Delaware Technical Implementation Committee (LDTIC) was established. It consists of biologists, engineers, and other scientists from the member agencies of the Lower Delaware Management Committee as well as from the U.S. Geological Survey.

The LDTIC is involved in a five-year water quality and flow monitoring program for the lower Delaware River and numerous tributary streams in order to establish baseline data which can be used as a foundation for future water quality protection and enhancement programs.

Water samples are taken twice a month from May through September at nine river locations and at sites near the mouth of 15 tributaries.

The samples are analyzed for nutrients, fecal bacteria, suspended sediments, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, water temperature, and other selected constituents. An aquatic insect (macroinvertebrate) monitoring program is being conducted simultaneously to determine the biological health of the river and streams.

The Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed into law in November of 2000.

Two other reaches of the Delaware River were added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1978. One section extends 73 miles from the confluence of the river's East and West branches at Hancock, N.Y. downstream to Milrift, Pa.; the second covers about 40 miles from just south of Port Jervis, N.Y. downstream to the Delaware Water Gap near Stroudsburg, Pa.

In addition, the Maurice River and several tributaries, including Menantico and Muskee Creeks and the Manumuskin River, were added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1993. The Maurice, located in New Jersey, is a Delaware Bay tributary.

And the White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic Rivers System Act, signed into law in the fall of 2000, designated approximately 190 miles of segments and tributaries of the creek as components of the national system. The creek flows from southeastern Pennsylvania and eventually joins the Christina River, another Delaware River tributary in the State of Delaware.

For additional information on the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic designation contact Suzanne Forbes, Delaware River Greenway Partnership, 908-996-0230; William Sharp, National Park Service, 215-597-1655.

***

Take A Journey Down A Revolutionary River

06 May 2002

For Immediate Release

May 6, 2002

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Sojourn, held to celebrate a waterway that cuts a water trail through American history, will be held May 31 through June 8, 2002.

The annual event attracts paddlers from all walks of life - grandparents, children, teachers, government officials. Many are folks who simply want to trade in the cacophony of cyberspace and life's other frenetic distractions for a peaceful day or two on the water.

To showcase the entire river's myriad attractions, sojourners can spend time on the upper Delaware, the Middle Delaware, and the estuary (the tidal reach).

Pick a day, maybe two, or all eight and become a "through-tripper," one who becomes fully immersed in the camaraderie engendered by a week-long joint venture with nature and the friendships that endure until next year's trip ... and far beyond.

To obtain more information on this year's sojourn visit the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC's) web site at www.drbc.net (registration forms are available on site), or call the Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) at 908-996-0230.

Partial funding for the event came from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), which named the Delaware the Commonwealth's Feature River of the Year for 2002. The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) lent administrative support.

Other sojourn sponsors: Rohm and Haas Co.; SUNOCO; William Penn Foundation; the DRBC; Exelon; Princeton Hydro; PPL; Aventis-Pasteur; Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin; Mirant Corp.; Delaware Family Playground; Driftstone on the Delaware Campground; and Jersey Paddler.

Over the years, the Delaware River Sojourn has focused attention on the river, creating a growing awareness of the important role it plays in the lives of the more than seven million people who live within the watershed.

The title for the 2002 sojourn is "The Delaware: A Revolutionary River." The event is held in June in conjunction with American Rivers Month.

The Delaware, indeed, has witnessed its share of revolutions.

George Washington and his Continental Army crossed its ice-choked waters on Christmas night, 1776, ambushing a party of Hessian troops in Trenton. It was a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley helped jump start America's Industrial Revolution. It was the power of water that fueled the valley's renaissance in mechanization - swift currents turning the water wheels that made the factories run.

Three canals converged in Easton, providing passageways for shipping anthracite coal to Philadelphia and New York. Water and coal helped transform these and other East Coast cities into bustling hubs of heavy industry and commerce.

Timber played a role, too, water its deliverance. Log rafts rode the spring freshets to markets located along the lower Delaware River where the vessels were disassembled and the timber was used to make furniture and in the hand-laying of ships' hulls. Stout logs became masts for warships like the U.S.S. Constitution ("Old Ironsides"), built in Philadelphia's shipyards for the fledgling U.S. Navy.

The sojourn is planned by the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee. Members are:

Academy of Natural Sciences; American Canoe Association; Bucks County River Country; Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor; Delaware and Raritan Greenway; Delaware Canal State Park; the DRBC; the DRGP; Kittatinny Canoes, Inc.; National Canoe Safety Patrol; National Park Service - the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; Open Space Partnership; Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc.; the DCNR; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; the POWR; Pocono Environmental Education Center; Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Inc.; Princeton Hydro; Upper Delaware Council, Inc.

***

DCNR Names Delaware River 2002 'River Of The Year'

28 Jan 2002

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
DCNR (717) 772-9101
DRBC (609) 883-9500

HARRISBURG (January 28, 2002) — It helped George Washington win a battle. William Penn sealed a deal with the Lenape Indians along its banks. America’s Industrial Revolution was fueled by it. And now, in 2002, the 330-mile-long Delaware River has been chosen Pennsylvania’s “River of the Year” by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).

“The Delaware is a river of extraordinary quality and purpose, a resource that touches millions of lives in multiple states,” DCNR Secretary John C. Oliver said. “The river and the people who work so diligently to protect and enhance it are well-deserving of this recognition from the Commonwealth.

“Although the Delaware doesn’t start or end in Pennsylvania, we consider our state its ‘home.’ With 250 miles of the river forming Pennsylvania’s eastern border, it literally defines our state.”

As River of the Year, the Delaware will be the subject of the June Rivers Month 2002 poster to raise awareness of the beauty and recreational, tourism and heritage values of rivers. The Juniata River was last year’s featured river.

The Delaware also will be Pennsylvania’s featured river sojourn, titled “The Delaware: A Revolutionary River,” as part of June Rivers Month. The recreational and educational float down the Delaware will take place May 31 to June 8. This will be the eighth Delaware River sojourn.

“The Delaware has played a significant role in the Commonwealth’s and nation’s history and continues to play a growing role in commerce, recreation and industrial development,” said Carol R. Collier, Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and Chair of the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee. “The river’s amenities are drawing people back to older cities and towns, with major waterfront revitalization projects occurring in places like Philadelphia and Bristol.

“As an interstate waterway, the Delaware provides an important lesson in watershed management—planning based on natural boundaries, not political ones.”

As the longest, un-dammed river east of the Mississippi River, the Delaware and its tributaries provide water to more than 17 million people in four states. Roughly half of New York City’s water comes from Delaware River headwater reservoirs. The Delaware and its tributaries also serve Philadelphia and a cluster of other nearby riverbank cities, which collectively comprise the world’s largest freshwater port.

“One of the reasons we chose the Delaware is to recognize its diverse resources and purposes,” Secretary Oliver said. “The upper river supports a world-class fishery, and canoes and kayaks are challenged by its riffles. In the lower river, cargo ships and barges ship products supporting a myriad of industries, including one of the nation’s largest oil refining-petrochemical centers.”

As the result of the comeback in water quality and the growing appreciation for the Delaware’s esthetic, heritage and recreational qualities, three quarters of the river and tributary streams are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

The Delaware River also is a key component of the Delaware and Lehigh National and State Heritage Corridor, a state- and federal-designated five-county region in Pennsylvania that conserves, interprets and promotes the rich heritage surrounding the Delaware and Lehigh rivers, their canal systems and tributaries.

Since 1995, DCNR has provided funding and technical assistance to local watershed organizations, conservancies, and local governments to develop river conservation plans for the Pennsylvania portion of the Delaware watershed. Thirty-eight plans—undertaking more than 30 projects to restore, maintain or enhance local watersheds—are underway or have been completed. The plans cover 86 percent of the watershed.

The DRBC currently is leading a two-and-a-half year effort, with the input of many organizations, to develop a comprehensive water-resources plan for the Delaware River Watershed. This results-oriented plan will set the direction and priorities for watershed management for the next 30 years and establish indicators by which to measure progress.

“The combination of growing public interest in the river and the current planning process for its future provides an excellent backdrop for Pennsylvania to select the Delaware as the 2002 River of the Year,” Collier said.

For more information on Pennsylvania’s rivers, river sojourns or DCNR’s river conservation grant programs, visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us, PA Keyword “Rivers.”

# # #

Drought Emergency Declared In The Delaware River Basin

18 Dec 2001

For Immediate Release

December 18, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - With reservoir storage and ground water supplies well below seasonable averages, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) today declared a drought emergency in the 13,539 square-mile watershed which drains portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Under the emergency order, the commission can call for releases from federal, state, and privately-owned reservoirs to bolster flows in the Delaware River and tributary streams. This additional volume of water in the waterways helps protect aquatic life and repel the upstream migration of salty water from the Delaware Bay which can cause corrosion problems for riverbank industry and increase water treatment costs for municipalities.

The reservoir releases will complement those from three huge water supply reservoirs at the headwaters of the Delaware River which are at record low levels. Combined storage in the impoundments, which are owned by New York City, stands at some 64 billion gallons, just over 115 billion gallons below normal for this time of year. It's the lowest level since the last of the three reservoirs went on line in 1967.

With adoption of the drought declaration, the commission also can (at the request of one of the four signatory states) require major water users in that state to prepare contingency plans for water curtailment in the event it becomes necessary and submit those plans to the commission.

Also under the declaration, water currently stored in Lake Wallenpaupack, a power generation impoundment located near Hawley, Pa., and New York State's Mongaup reservoir system can be called on to help increase river flows. Lake Wallenpaupack is owned by PPL Generation, LLC; Mirant owns the Mongaup system, another power generation facility located near Monticello, N.Y.

The commission also is requesting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to retain storage in the F.E. Walter Reservoir and provide releases at the commission's request. The flood control impoundment is located on a tributary of the Lehigh River in Luzerne County, Pa.

And the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is being asked to release water when needed from Lake Nockamixon, a recreational reservoir located in Bucks County, Pa.

Under the commission's drought operating plan, which has been implemented in stages over the past several months, the allowable water supply diversions to New York City from its reservoirs have been lowered from a normal of 800 to 520 million gallons per day (mgd), and diversions to northern New Jersey through the Delaware and Raritan Canal have been lowered from the normal of 100 to 65 mgd.

In addition, minimum flow targets on the Delaware River have been lowered from 1,750 to 1,350 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Montague, N.J., and from 3,000 to 2,500 cfs at Trenton, N.J.

Reservoir releases are made to help meet these targets.

The cutbacks in the out-of-basin diversions and the flow targets, which save up to 540 million gallons a day of storage, began to take effect on October 29 when falling storage triggered a drought watch. A further drop in storage triggered a drought warning on November 4, and on December 1 a drought was triggered as storage continued to drop.

Over 17 million people rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin. New York City, which lies outside the watershed, gets roughly half its water from its three Upper Delaware reservoirs - Pepacton, Neversink, and Cannonsville.

In addition, Merrill Creek Reservoir, located near Phillipsburg, N.J., and constructed by a consortium of electric utilities in the late 1980s, has released some 1.2 billion gallons of water into the Delaware River to replace water lost through evaporation during power generation. The releases are triggered by operating criteria approved by the commission.

Rainfall is approximately 10 inches below normal for the year in the upper basin. The last five months also have been very dry in the central portion of the watershed, particularly in the Philadelphia area, central and southern New Jersey, and in extreme northern Delaware. Southern Delaware has not been as hard hit by the prolonged dry spell.

"With cooler weather and generally reduced demand for water, the dry conditions are not as noticeable in day-to-day activities as they would be during the summer, " noted Carol Collier, the commission's executive director. "However, refilling the large reservoirs will require above normal rain and snow during the winter and spring. For this reason, additional conservation measures are needed now."

In response to the parched conditions, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on December 5 declared a drought warning for all counties located within the basin with the exception of Luzerne and Lackawanna, which are under a drought watch. New Jersey declared a drought warning on November 21 for the portion of the state located within the Delaware Basin, mainly the counties that flank the Delaware River. New York State has declared drought warnings for six counties in the Delaware River Watershed – Delaware, Greene, Orange, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster. Broome and Chenango counties, parts of which also drain to the Delaware River, are under a drought watch.

Voluntary conservation measures are being requested in these areas, a move that is strongly supported by the commission. Reduction in non-essential water use lowers water demand and subsequently will allow for better recovery of ground and surface water systems during the winter and spring period.

Under the drought declaration declared today, the four basin states will continue to be responsible for the declaration of county or statewide drought emergences and will be responsible for the implementation and enforcement of associated restrictions on non-essential water uses in these areas.

The declarations by the states are based on comprehensive sets of drought indicators including precipitation, reservoir storage, and ground water and stream flow levels. The commission's drought plan is unique in that it is triggered solely by declining reservoir storage. It is designed for managing regional storage and complements the plans of the states which respond to local water supply conditions.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is an interstate-federal agency responsible for managing the water resources within the watershed, located in the most densely populated and intensively industrialized region of the United States. Commission members are the governors of the four basin states (Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) and a federal representative appointed by the President.

***

Editors/News Directors: Additional information about the commission and the basin, including the names of municipalities located within the watershed, can be found at the DRBC's web site: www.drbc.net.

Text of Drought Emergency Resolution 2001-32 (pdf 55 KB)

Link to DRBC's Drought Information Page

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Reservoirs At Drought Levels - Emergency Hearing Scheduled

03 Dec 2001

For Immediate Release

December 3, 2011

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Storage in three large water supply reservoirs at the headwaters of the Delaware River has dropped from drought warning to drought levels, automatically triggering additional reductions in the amount of water released from the reservoirs into the river and the amount diverted out of the Delaware River Basin to New York City and New Jersey.

The reductions are required under the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC's) drought operating plan which is based on storage levels in the three reservoirs (Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink). The impoundments are located in New York State's Catskill Mountains region and owned by New York City.

A public hearing on whether to declare a drought emergency and implement additional water conservation measures is scheduled for December 18th at the commission's offices in West Trenton, N.J.

As of December 3, combined storage in the three reservoirs was 66 billion gallons, over 100 billion gallons below normal, and 24 percent of capacity.

Under the commission's drought operating plan, which has been implemented in stages over the past month, the allowable water supply diversions to New York City have been lowered from a normal of 800 to 520 million gallons per day (mgd), and diversions to northern New Jersey through the Delaware and Raritan Canal have been lowered from the normal of 100 to 65 mgd. In addition, minimum flow targets in the Delaware River have been lowered from 1,750 to 1,350 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Montague, N.J., and from 3,000 to 2,500 cfs at Trenton, N.J.

Smaller cutbacks in the out-of-basin diversions and flow targets automatically took effect on November 4 when falling reservoir storage triggered a drought warning.

"These water-conserving actions in place now save up to 540 million gallons per day of storage in the New York City reservoirs," noted Carol R. Collier, the DRBC's executive director.

Over 17 million people rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin. New York City, which lies outside the watershed, gets roughly half its water from its Upper Delaware reservoirs.

In addition, Merrill Creek Reservoir, located near Phillipsburg, N.J., and constructed by a consortium of electric utilities in the late 1980s, has been releasing water to the Delaware River to replace evaporation losses caused by power generation. The releases are triggered by operating criteria approved by the commission.

Rainfall is approximately 10 inches below normal for the year in the upper basin. The last five months have been very dry in the central portion of the watershed, particularly in the Philadelphia area, central and southern New Jersey, and in extreme northern Delaware. Southern Delaware has not been as hard hit by the dry spell.

In response to the parched conditions, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania last month declared drought warnings in the Delaware River Basin counties of Chester, Lancaster, and Lebanon, and drought watches in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne counties. New Jersey declared a drought warning on November 21 for the portion of the state located within the Delaware Basin, mainly the counties that flank the Delaware River. New York State has declared drought watches for the eight counties in the Delaware River Watershed – Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Greene, Orange, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster.

Voluntary conservation measures are being requested in these areas, a move that is strongly supported by the commission.

The declarations by the states are based on comprehensive sets of drought indicators including precipitation, storage, and ground water and stream flow levels. The commission's drought plan is unique in that it is triggered solely by declining reservoir storage. The plan is designed to manage river flows to protect aquatic life and control the upstream migration of salty water, which can cause corrosion problems for riverbank industry and increase water treatment costs for municipalities.

"With cooler weather and generally reduced demand for water, the dry conditions are not as noticeable in day-to-day activities as they would be during the summer, " said Ms. Collier. "However, refilling the large reservoirs will require above normal rain and snow during the winter and spring. For this reason, additional conservation measures may be required if rainfall continues at below normal levels."

A drought emergency declaration by the commission on December 18 would enable it to enact special management provisions under its drought operating plan. These special actions are aimed at conserving storage in the regional reservoir system, and to provide for tighter control of salinity intrusion in the tidal Delaware River. They could include directing the use of storage in Lake Wallenpaupack, a hydropower facility located near Hawley, Pa., and the Mongaup hydropower reservoirs in New York State. Additional water could be stored in Francis E. Walter Reservoir, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' impoundment located at the headwaters of the Lehigh River which normally is designated exclusively for flood control.

In addition, Lake Nockamixon, a state-operated reservoir situated in Bucks County, Pa., could be used for supporting the Trenton flow target.

The commission's drought operating plan, which is designed for managing regional storage, complements the plans of the states which respond to local water supply conditions. Reduction in non-essential water use lowers water demand and subsequently will allow for better recovery of ground and surface water systems during the winter and spring period.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is an interstate-federal agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile watershed, which drains portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Commission members are the governors of those four states and a federal representative appointed by the President.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Link to DRBC's Drought Information Page

Public Meeting To Be Held On PSW Application

30 Nov 2001

For Immediate Release

November 30, 2001

The Delaware River Basin Commission will host an informational public meeting on December 11, 2001, on a water withdrawal project proposed by the Philadelphia Suburban Water Co. (PSW).

The meeting, to begin at 7 p.m., will be held at the Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Rd., West Chester, Pa.

Philadelphia Suburban wants to draw water from the East Branch Brandywine Creek and store it in Cornog Quarry, located on the creek's bank. The water would be used to meet present and future water demand in portions of Chester County.

The meeting will include presentations by the commission, the applicant, and county and municipal officials. A public comment period will immediately follow the presentations.

For driving directions check the Chester County web site (www.chesco.org).

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Dry Weather Drops Reservoirs To Drought Warning Levels

06 Nov 2001

For Immediate Release

November 6, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that Upper Delaware Basin reservoir storage has declined to drought warning levels, triggering reductions in Delaware River flow targets and water diversions to New York City and New Jersey.

"These actions are required by the commission's drought operating plan, which is based on storage levels in three large reservoirs located in the Catskill Mountains at the basin's headwaters in New York State," said Ms. Collier. As of November 6, combined storage in the New York City-owned Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Neversink reservoirs was about 91 billion gallons, 58 billion gallons below normal, and 33 percent of capacity.

Water supply diversions to New York City were lowered from 800 to 560 million gallons per day, and maximum diversions to New Jersey through the Delaware and Raritan Canal were reduced from 100 to 70 million gallons per day. In addition, minimum flow targets in the Delaware River were lowered from 1,750 to 1,550 cubic feet per second at Montague, N.J. and from 3,000 to 2,700 cubic feet per second at Trenton, N.J. Releases from basin reservoirs are used to meet these targets.

"These water-conserving actions save up to 370 million gallons per day of storage in the New York City reservoirs," said Ms. Collier.

Over 17 million people rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin. New York City, which lies outside the basin, gets roughly half its water from the Upper Delaware reservoirs.

In addition, the Merrill Creek Reservoir, located near Phillipsburg, N.J. and constructed by a consortium of electric utilities in the late 1980s, is now releasing water to the Delaware River to replace evaporation losses caused by power generation. These releases are being triggered by operating criteria approved by the commission.

Rainfall during 2001 has been deficient in most areas of the basin except for the extreme south, where Sussex and Kent counties in Delaware have had above-normal precipitation. Rainfall is nearly eight inches below normal for the year in the Upper Delaware Basin, where the large New York City reservoirs are located. The last four months have been very dry in the central portion of the basin, particularly in the Philadelphia area and in central and southern New Jersey. October was extremely dry throughout the basin, with an average of less than one inch of rainfall.

In response to the dry conditions, Pennsylvania has declared drought warnings in the Delaware River Basin counties of Chester, Lancaster, and Lebanon, and drought watches in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne counties. New Jersey declared a drought watch for the entire state on October 30. New York State has declared drought watches for the eight counties falling in the Delaware River Watershed -- Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Greene, Orange, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster. Voluntary conservation measures are being requested in these areas.The designations are based on each state's comprehensive set of indicators including precipitation, storage, and ground water and stream flow levels. "The designations and the call for voluntary water conservation by the states are strongly supported by the commission," said Ms. Collier.

"With cooler weather and generally reduced demand for water, the dry conditions are not as noticeable in day-to-day activities as they would be during the summer, " noted Ms. Collier. "However, refilling the large reservoirs will require above-normal precipitation during the winter and spring. Additional conservation measures may be required if precipitation continues at below-normal levels."

The DRBC, founded in 1961, is an interstate-federal agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Watershed, which drains portions of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Its members are the governors of those four states and a federal representative appointed by the President.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Link to DRBC's Drought Information Page

DRBC Seeking Input On New Watershed Management Plan

25 Oct 2001

For Immediate Release

October 25, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Carol R. Collier, executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), announced today that three meetings have been scheduled in November to gather public input on the goals and objectives to be included in a new Comprehensive Plan that will guide future water resources management within the basin.

The need for a new Comprehensive Plan is an outgrowth of the "Flowing Toward the Future" visioning process completed in 1999.

The meetings will be held:

November 8, 2001, DRBC offices, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, N.J., 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

November 14, 2001, Tusten Town Hall, Narrowsburg, N.Y., 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

November 15, 2001, University of Delaware, Newark Campus, Clayton Hall (Room 119), 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The DRBC and the Watershed Advisory Council, a broad-based stakeholder group assisting in developing the new plan, are seeking public input in helping to set the plan's goals and objectives. The draft goals and objectives that have been developed (available on the DRBC web site at www.drbc.net) will be the topic of discussion at the three meetings.

The goals being considered attempt to balance the various uses and needs of the basin's water resources by setting objectives to determine the in-stream flow requirements (or volume of water) needed for a healthy aquatic ecosystem, ensuring that adequate supplies of water are available for human needs through the year 2030 and setting flow requirements for water-based recreation.

Other draft goals seek to integrate water resource considerations into land use planning and management at all levels of government.

It is the intent of the Watershed Advisory Council, which was created by the DRBC as part of its overall planning responsibilities, to finalize the goals and objectives at its next meeting in December.

The DRBC and the council will be seeking input at the three November meetings on such topics as the setting of priorities for water users in the basin, the transfer of water from one basin (or watershed) to another, and the plan's involvement in a variety of land use practices occurring in the four basin states - Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware.

The next step in the process will be to develop management strategies to achieve the goals and objectives. These strategies will be presented to the public in the fall of 2002. The strategies will then be revised where necessary and the Comprehensive Plan prepared. Public hearings on the plan are anticipated in the fall of 2003.

Additional information about the Comprehensive Plan development process, including directions to the three public meetings, is available on the DRBC web site at www.drbc.net.

The DRBC is an interstate-federal agency responsible for managing the water resources in the 13,539 square-mile Delaware River Watershed. Its members are the governors of the four states that flank the Delaware River and/or Bay (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware) and a federal representative appointed by the President.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Kenneth Warren Named DRBC's General Counsel

22 Oct 2001

For Immediate Release

October 22, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Kenneth J. Warren, Esq., an attorney with Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP and a veteran in the practice of environmental law, has been retained by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) as its general counsel.

He succeeds David Goldberg, Esq. who served in the post for 24 years. Mr. Goldberg, who had a distinguished legal and governmental career, passed away earlier this year.

Mr. Warren is a partner and chair of his law firm's Environmental Practice Group and also serves as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Environmental Justice Advisory Council. In addition, he is vice chair of the Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources of the American Bar Association and a member of the environmental and litigation sections of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations.

Mr. Warren, who has practiced environmental law for 20 years, has handled numerous regulatory and litigation matters, including enforcement actions, environmental criminal prosecutions, and other environmental cases in courts and tribunals throughout the United States. He is a frequent author of articles on environmental law and a frequent speaker on environmental issues before sections of the American Bar Association and other groups.

Mr. Warren received his B.A. magna cum laude, with honors in history, from Brown University in 1975 and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1979.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is an interstate-federal agency responsible for managing the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile watershed. Its members are the governors of the four states that border the Delaware River and/or Bay (New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware) and a federal member appointed by the President.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Bob Tudor Named DRBC Deputy Executive Director

13 Sep 2001

For Immediate Release

September 13, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Robert Tudor, deputy commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), has accepted the position of deputy executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), effective October 1, 2001.

During his 21-years with NJDEP, Mr. Tudor served as administrator of both the department's Land Use Regulation Program and the Office of Environmental Planning, playing a lead role in watershed management initiatives and in the development of the state's Freshwater Wetlands Program.

He also was program director of the Delaware Estuary Program, part of a federal effort to protect estuarine systems of national significance.

In his new post, Mr. Tudor will serve under DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier in helping to oversee the commission's regulatory, planning, and management programs. He succeeds Dr. Jeffrey Featherstone, who recently retired to pursue a second career as associate professor of planning and director of the Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University Ambler (Pa.).

Mr. Tudor is a graduate of Rutgers College and the University of Connecticut.

"Bob brings a wealth of talent to the commission," said Ms. Collier. "Not only does he possess a solid background in the scientific arena, but over the years has demonstrated the ability to promote environmental awareness and stewardship through education and public participation. He's the perfect fit."

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

The Delaware: A Legend Lives On

15 May 2001

For Immediate Release

May 15, 2001

(COCHECTON, Pa.) - Centuries ago, as many as 3,000 log rafts rode the spring freshets to markets along the lower Delaware River, where the vessels were disassembled and the pine and hemlock logs fashioned into spars and masts for the lordly ships of the British Main.

Daniel Skinner, according to local historians, was among the first loggers to make the trip. Sometime during the 1760s, he and two mates launched an 80-foot long raft of lashed logs from the Catskill Mountain settlement of Cochecton, Pennsylvania.

Shipbuilders offered up a rousing welcome when Skinner and one of the mates (the other drowned) came ashore in Philadelphia, some 200 miles downstream. Overjoyed with the fresh supply of timber, the shipbuilders honored Skinner with the title "Lord High Admiral of the Delaware."

For years Skinner had a lock on the title and the river's timber trade. He was a pioneer whose ingenuity changed the face of a major waterway. His river adventure had opened up a new trade route - the New World's woodlands now providing timber once harvested from fabled British forests felled by the axe of colonization.

The demand for timber continued after the Revolution. The wood was used to make furniture and in the hand-laying of large vessels. Stout logs became masts for warships like the U.S.S. Constitution ("Old Ironsides"), built in Philadelphia's ship yards for the fledgling U.S. Navy. The valley's lumber carried sails through battles with Barbary pirates at Tripoli and in engagements against the British fleet during the War of 1812.

Skinner died in 1813. Almost 200 years would pass before his honorary title would be bestowed on a new generation of folks drawn to the river. In 1997, it and a modified version created to mesh with modern times, were bestowed on a handful of people who became the first "Lady and Lord High Admirals" of the Delaware River Sojourn, another river adventure.

It has since become a tradition of the sojourn that "High Admirals" are selected each year as tributes to those who have made outstanding contributions to protect the health of the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi, along with its tributaries.

This year's event, titled "Delaware River Sojourn 2001- a River Odyssey," runs from June 15-23. Its "High Admirals" are in the process of being selected.

Sojourn 2001 is an eight-day trip that will cover over 70 miles, combining canoeing, camping, and educational programs. It will begin at Hankins, N.Y., in the Catskill Mountains, and end on New Jersey's Maurice River, a Delaware Bay tributary.

Financial sponsors of this year's sojourn, the seventh, include the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, PPL, Princeton Hydro LLC, Rohm & Haas, and the William Penn Foundation.

To find out more about the event contact the Delaware River Greenway Partnership at 908-996-0230 or visit the DRBC's web site (www.drbc.net).

Sojourners travel in canoes and other non-motorized water craft guided by professional safety patrols. Paddlers traverse mostly placid water, interrupted by scattered riffles and relatively tame rapids on a waterway free of major obstructions.

Skinner and the other frontiersmen who challenged nature's whims in search of riches encountered a much different journey. Leslie Wood, in his classic "Rafting on the Delaware River," describes a leg of a logger's trip in which his craft encounters several fully loaded coal barges, a two-inch thick hawser stretched across the river, and just beyond that a seven-foot high dam with spring flood waters surging over its top:

"The forward end of the raft floated out a few feet in midair and then suddenly plunged down into the water below, the raft bending in the middle from the force of gravity on both ends, and the forward oarsmen, who sometimes stood two feet in water when the raft plunged, were hidden from the sight of those on the rear end. A tremendous pressure was exerted on all parts of the craft when going over the dam, the whole framework creaking and groaning like a huge monster in terrible agony."

It is no wonder then, given the circumstances, that at the end of each trip many raftsmen were known to help themselves to "an ivigorator from the whiskey jug."

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

DRBC Announces Sixth Annual "Water Snapshot"

18 Apr 2001

For Immediate Release

April 18, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) invites the public to participate in Water Snapshot 2001, April 20-29.

"This popular, water quality sampling event takes a 'snapshot' of the health of Delaware River Basin waterways for 10 days around Earth Day, April 22," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "We hope Water Snapshot will not only create a heightened awareness about our watersheds and the need for stewardship, but also provide much-deserved recognition to those volunteers who participate in water quality monitoring programs throughout the year."

Snapshot is an opportunity for the young and old, experienced and first-timers, to collect water quality data. Some participants conduct a visual assessment while others use simple test kits or sophisticated instruments. The data are recorded on sheets provided to participants and forwarded to the DRBC, where the information will be posted on the commission's web site at www.drbc.net.

"Snapshot results are compiled without regard to the precision of the testing equipment or the expertise of the data collector, so they are not intended to reflect exact science," Collier said. "These results, however, certainly demonstrate the public's desire to learn more about the quality of the basin's waters."

"Thanks to donations from the William Penn Foundation and the DRBC, I am pleased to again announce the availability of a limited number of free, simple test kits to interested schools and organizations on a first-come, first-served basis," Collier added. Those interested in a free kit should contact the DRBC (609-883-9500, ext. 260).

Several training opportunities are still available to interested Snapshot participants, thanks to the efforts of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and Delaware Stream Watch. Details are available on the DRBC web site at www.drbc.net.

The DRBC web site also features useful information for Water Snapshot volunteers, including the downloadable data sheet, explanations of water quality terminology, links to watershed organizations, maps, and updated news. Persons unable to access the Internet may call the DRBC at 609-883-9500, ext. 260 for information.

In addition to the DRBC, the Snapshot steering committee includes representatives from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, National Park Service, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Pennsylvania DCNR, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Upper Delaware Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Flood Warning System Improvements Planned For Delaware River Basin

29 Mar 2001

For Immediate Release

March 29, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The flood warning system for the Delaware River and some of its feeder streams is being upgraded, a move aimed at reducing flood losses in future years.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Weather Service (NWS) will be adding the much needed monitoring and communications equipment to the Delaware River Basin's flood alert system during the next few months. The move comes less than two years after the remnants of a nasty hurricane named Floyd caused serious flooding in the basin.

Additions and upgrades to the warning system include:

A new stream gauge for the Schuylkill River at Norristown, Pa.
Re-installation and modernization of a stream gauge at Tocks Island, N.J., in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
Improved hydrologic data for stream gauges at four locations, including the Lehigh River at Lehighton, Pa., the Schuylkill River at Berne, Pa., the Brodhead Creek at Minisink Hills, Pa., and the Perkiomen Creek at Graterford, Pa.
Improved monitoring at the stream gauge on the Brodhead Creek at Minisink Hills.
Modernization of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio system in Philadelphia to improve coverage.
Addition of two new NOAA Weather Radio transmitters in Sussex County, N.J., and in Sudlersville, Md. These combine with existing transmitters to extend weather radio coverage throughout the entire Delaware River Basin.

Many people still have vivid memories of September 16, 1999, the day Floyd brushed the New Jersey coast, unleashing up to almost a foot of rain in parts of the basin. The extensive flooding that occurred then can and will happen again. It is just a matter of when.

Despite programs to acquire flood prone property, most flood plains in the Delaware River Basin are still highly developed. Flood warning, provided by the National Weather Service through a partnership with public and private organizations, is a real, every day need.

The overall goal of flood preparedness is to reduce loss of life and property damage. There are many activities, in addition to flood warning and response programs, which support this aim: flood plain regulations, property buyouts, storm water management, flood-proofing, structural flood controls like dams and levees, and flood insurance administration. These are particularly important to prevent new flood damage in developing areas and encourage wise flood plain use.

Recently, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) formed a Flood Advisory Committee in an effort to boost public awareness of flooding potential and improve coordination among various agencies in an effort to increase much-needed funding levels.

The committee is designed to provide a forum for coordination of flood related activities and promote efficient use of technical and financial resources for the benefit of the basin community. It will forward any recommendations to the commission for submission to organizations with flood preparedness and flood loss reduction responsibilities.

Stream gauges equipped with satellite telemetry are critical to a flood warning network. There are currently 46 flood forecast points in the Delaware River Basin. The National Weather Service uses rainfall observations, stream stage data, and computer modeling to forecast flood levels at river forecast points during storm events.

NOAA Weather Radio, television and radio, and emergency communications networks are used to broadcast the flood forecasts to local emergency managers. NOAA Weather Radio receivers can be purchased at many electronics stores at a relatively low cost (usually under $50). The USGS, the NWS, and the DRBC urge anyone living along a waterway to purchase such a radio, which often is capable of automatically sounding an alarm when an emergency signal is transmitted.

The cost of these radios with their early alert systems is minuscule considering their potential to reduce economic losses due to flooding - estimated at $4.5 billion nationally and $35 million within the Delaware River Basin.

The stream gauging program in the basin is operated by the USGS. Most stream gauges are jointly funded through a cooperative program among the USGS, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the basin states of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, the DRBC, as well as utilities and industries. More information on the importance of stream gauges can be found on the DRBC's website at www.drbc.net.

The National Weather Service also provides general guidance on flash flood potential and will provide technical assistance to communities interested in improving their level of flash flood preparedness. The Army Corps' Floodplain Management Services Branch provides similar services.

***

Link to DRBC Enhanced Flood Warning Page

DRBC Announces PCB Meeting In Philadelphia

12 Mar 2001

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will co-host a meeting on Wednesday (March 14) in Philadelphia to educate the public about the presence of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in the Delaware Estuary and to explore ways to reduce the amount of this toxic substance.

The public meeting will run from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

An additional meeting will be held March 26 in Mt. Holly, N.J. One session already took place February 21 in Wilmington, Del.

A presentation on PCBs in the estuary, a panel discussion addressing the diverse issues related to this pollutant, and a question and answer period will be featured at the meetings.

The Delaware Estuary includes the tidal Delaware River downstream of Trenton, N.J., as well as the Delaware Bay.

Additional information on PCBs can be found on the DRBC and Delaware Estuary Program (DELEP) web sites (www.drbc.net and www.delep.org). Directions to the meeting locations are posted on the DRBC site.

One possible solution to the PCB problem is the establishment of TMDLs (total maximum daily loads) which set the quantity of a compound that can enter a water body daily without violating water quality standards or triggering fish consumption advisories. Once a TMDL for PCBs is determined, decisions will have to be made on how that new, lower loading number can be met. It will require an analysis of inputs from tributary streams feeding the estuary, storm water runoff, point sources (end-of-pipe discharges), air deposition, and riverbed sediments, followed by the development of PCB reduction plans.

The DRBC is the lead agency in this campaign to reduce PCB contamination, working closely with the three states that flank the estuary (Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Stakeholders joining this effort include:

Academy of Natural Sciences, Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Drexel University, DuPont Co., New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia Water Department, Rohm & Haas Co., Stroud Water Research Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The commission's Toxics Advisory Committee (TAC) is assisting in the scientific development of the TMDL. All TAC meetings are open to the public.

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list about the PCB process should contact the DRBC at (609) 883-9500, ext. 205.

The March 26 meeting will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Burlington County Human Services Building, Lecture Hall B, Route 541 & Woodlane Road, Mount Holly, N.J.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

Dates Set For Delaware River Sojourn

26 Feb 2001

For Immediate Release

February 26, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Sojourn, an annual event to heighten the awareness of and appreciation for the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi, will be held June 15 through June 23, 2001. This year's sojourn is titled "2001 - A River Odyssey."

The eight-day trip covers over 70 miles, combining canoeing, camping, and educational programs. Participants can sign up for individual days or elect to go the full distance.

For additional information, check the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC's) web site at www.drbc.net, or contact the Delaware River Greenway Partnership (DRGP) at (908) 996-0230.

Sponsors for this year's sojourn, the seventh, include the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the DRBC, the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers, PPL, Princeton Hydro LLC, Rohm & Haas, and the William Penn Foundation.

The 2001 sojourn will begin at Hankins, N.Y., in the Catskill Mountains, and end on New Jersey's Maurice River, a tributary to the Delaware Bay.

The trip offers a chance to experience the diversity of the Delaware River system, which drains 13,539 square miles in four states - New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

An added attraction this year is an art, essay, and poetry contest open to student in grades 8-12 who reside within the Delaware River Basin. The contest's theme is "Delaware: River of Life." Entries must be postmarked by April 15. For more information contact Bonnie Tobin, Delaware Canal State Park, (610) 982-0161.

The Delaware River is not big as rivers go. The Nile, the Amazon, the Yangtze - each stretch for some 4,000 miles; the Delaware (including the bay) 330 miles.

Yet the Delaware system serves up water to New York, America's biggest city. It flows past the world's largest freshwater port, situated in the estuary between Philadelphia/Camden and Wilmington.

Over 17 million people, or 6.4 percent of the U.S. population, rely on the river, its tributaries, and the reservoirs that feed it, for their water supply.

Giant cargo ships and oil barges berth at its piers. Bald eagles search for prey in a world class trout fishery in its upper reaches.

It winds through Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, birthplace of America's Industrial Revolution.

The Delaware is as steeped in history as it is variant in its natural wonders - a fascinating stretch of water that lures the sojourners as well as thousands of others throughout the year who yearn for a river adventure.

Step back in time.

George Washington and his troops row across the ice-clogged Delaware just upstream of Trenton, N.J., on Christmas night 1776 en route to a decisive Revolutionary War victory over the British Crown. Forty-four war ships rot in watery graves on the river's bottom near Bordentown, N.J., scuttled during that war to keep them out of enemy hands.

During the Civil War, 12,000 Confederate soldiers were imprisoned on Pea Patch Island, downstream of New Castle, Del. William Penn signed a treaty with the Indians on the Delaware's banks.

The river flows into the Delaware Bay, which washes by old whaling towns. Upstream it flows beneath the Delaware Aqueduct, which during the 1800s linked canals on both sides of the river. Mule-pulled barges floated coal across the water-filled bridge, thus avoiding collisions with the timber rafts which, at the mercy of the river's flow, were swept by below. The aqueduct was built by engineer John Roebling who designed the fabled Brooklyn Bridge.

Over 150 miles of the river and tributary streams have been included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The tidal reach of the river which starts at Trenton, along with the Delaware Bay, are part of the National Estuary Program, a project set up to protect estuarine systems of national significance.

Members of the 2001 Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee which is organizing this year's sojourn include:

American Canoe Association, Bucks County River Country, Delaware and Raritan Greenway, Delaware Canal State Park, DRBC, DRGP, Friends of the Delaware Canal, Heritage Conservancy, Kittatinny Canoes, Inc., National Canoe Safety Patrol, Natural Lands Trust, National Park Service, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Inc., Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, DCNR, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, Princeton Hydro, and Upper Delaware Council.

***

DRBC Announces Meeting In Delaware On Threat Of PCB Contamination

20 Feb 2001

For Immediate Release

February 20, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will co-host a public meeting on Wednesday (February 21) in Wilmington, Del., to educate the public about the presence of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in the Delaware Estuary and to explore ways to reduce the amount of this toxic substance.

The meeting will run from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Carvel Building, 820 North French St. (Snow Date: Feb. 26).

Additional meetings will be held March 14 in Philadelphia and March 26 in Mt. Holly, N.J.

A presentation on PCBs in the estuary, a panel discussion addressing the diverse issues related to this pollutant, and a question and answer period will be featured at the three sessions.

The Delaware Estuary includes the tidal Delaware River downstream of Trenton, N.J., as well as the Delaware Bay.

Additional information on PCBs can be found on the DRBC and Delaware Estuary Program (DELEP) web sites. Directions to the meeting locations are posted on the DRBC site.

Academy of Natural Sciences, Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Drexel University, DuPont Co., New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia Water Department, Rohm & Haas Co., Stroud Water Research Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The commission's Toxics Advisory Committee (TAC) is assisting in the scientific development of the TMDL. All TAC meetings are open to the public.

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list about the PCB process should contact DRBC at (609) 883-9500, ext. 205.

Details on the other two meetings:

March 14, 2001, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pa., 6:30-9 p.m.
March 26, 2001, Burlington County Human Services Building, Lecture Hall B, Route 541 & Woodlane Road, Mount Holly, N.J., 6:30-9 p.m.

***

DRBC Leads Effort To Reduce PCB Contamination

12 Feb 2001

For Immediate Release

February 12, 2001

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Three meetings are planned over the next two months to educate the public about the presence of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in the tidal Delaware River and Delaware Bay and to explore ways to reduce the amount of this toxic substance.

The meetings will be held February 21, March 14, and March 26 in Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Mt. Holly, N.J., respectively. They will include a presentation on PCBs in the Delaware Estuary (the tidal river and bay), a panel discussion addressing the diverse issues related to this toxin, and a question and answer period.

Additional information can be found on the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and Delaware Estuary Program (DELEP) web sites. Directions to the meeting locations are posted on the DRBC site.

Academy of Natural Sciences, Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Drexel University, DuPont Co., New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Philadelphia Water Department, Rohm & Haas Co., Stroud Water Research Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The commission's Toxics Advisory Committee (TAC) is assisting in the scientific development of the TMDL. All TAC meetings are open to the public.

Persons interested in being placed on a mailing list about the PCB process should contact DRBC at (609) 883-9500, ext. 205.

Meeting locations:

Feb. 21, 2001, Carvel Building, 820 North French St., Wilmington, Del., 6:30-9 p.m. (Snow Date: Feb. 26)
March 14, 2001, Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, Pa., 6:30-9 p.m.
March 26, 2001, Burlington County Human Services Building, Lecture Hall B, Route 541 & Woodlane Road, Mount Holly, N.J., 6:30-9 p.m.

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Chester County Watershed Protection Forum Announced

04 Jan 2001

For Immediate Release

January 4, 2001

(WEST CHESTER, Pa.) - A discussion on integrating water resources protection in land use planning will take place January 8 in West Chester, Pa.

The public event, cosponsored by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA), will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Sykes Student Union building at West Chester University, Rosedale Avenue, West Chester. Persons interested in attending are asked to pre-register by calling the DRBC at (609) 883-9500 ext. 224.

"This event will be an excellent opportunity for dialogue between members of the public, local officials, non-government organizations, and key water regulatory agencies on water resources issues, initiatives, and solutions in Chester County," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience and a reception will follow the program," Collier added.

The Chester County commissioners will welcome participants and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Secretary for Water Management Lawrence C. Tropea, Jr. will moderate the forum.

Featured speakers include Judith Shuler, co-chair of the Pennsylvania-Delaware Wild and Scenic Rivers Project Task Force; Kathryn Saterson, director of the Brandywine Conservancy’s Environmental Management Center; and Janet L. Bowers, executive director of the CCWRA.

Subjects to be discussed by the presenters include the recent National Wild and Scenic Rivers designation for the White Clay Creek; land conservation and management for watershed protection through public-private partnerships; and WATERSHEDS, Chester County’s integrated water resources management plan.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among the four basin states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware) and the federal government to manage water resources in the 13,539-square-mile Delaware River Watershed. Commission programs include water quality protection, watershed planning, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, drought management, flood control, and recreation.

Also established in 1961, the CCWRA serves as the water resources management agency for Chester County. The role of the authority is to provide the basic science, analyses, and planning that are necessary to protect public safety, preserve the integrity of the county’s natural water resources and watershed systems, and balance the needs of all water users in support of planned growth for the county.

For more information about the sponsors, visit the DRBC and CCWRA web sites at www.drbc.net and www.chesco.org/water, respectively. Directions to Sykes Student Union also can be found on the DRBC web site.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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Congressman Holt To Announce Formation Of River Basin Task Force

06 Jul 2000

For Immediate Release

July 6, 2000

(STOCKTON, N.J.) - Congressman Rush Holt (D-N.J.), accompanied by an official from the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and other environmental leaders, will announce the formation of a Delaware River Basin Task Force at a 10 a.m. news conference at Stockton, N.J. on Saturday (July 8).

The congressman, joined by Carol Collier, the DRBC's executive director, also will discuss legislation he has introduced to add approximately 65 miles of the Delaware River to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

The news conference will be held at Prallsville Mills at the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park on Route 29 in Stockton.

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High Admirals Selected For Opsail Event

22 Jun 2000

For Immediate Release

June 22, 2000

(CAMDEN, N.J.) - Jeanne M. Fox, regional administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region II, and Robert C. Shinn, Jr., commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, have been selected to serve on Friday as Lady High Admiral and Lord High Admiral of the Delaware River Sojourn.

They will be presented with "admiral caps" and certificates during ceremonies that day at Wiggins Park in Camden at 6:30 a.m. as a kick-off to OpSail 2000, the parade of tall ships which will dock here and at Philadelphia later in the day.

High Admirals are chosen for each day of the sojourn, which is held annually, to highlight the awareness of and appreciation for the historical, environmental, and recreational significance of the longest un-dammed river east of the Mississippi.

The sojourn combines canoeing, camping, and educational programs. The eight-day canoe trip will cover more than 200 miles, beginning at the Delaware's headwaters at Hancock, N.Y. The paddlers will end their journey with a picnic in Delaware on Saturday.

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

Members of the Delaware River Steering Committee which organized 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.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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From Canoes To Tall Ships: Passing The Paddle

22 Jun 2000

For Immediate Release

June 22, 2000

(PHILADELPHIA) - Elizabeth Murphy, chief operating officer of the Delaware River Port Authority, on Friday (June 23) will be presented with an autographed canoe paddle, a symbol of the collective spirit of participants in the Delaware River Sojourn.

The paddle has been signed by scores of sojourners and by well-wishers who greeted them on their 200-mile canoe trip that began last Saturday at the Delaware River's headwaters in Hancock, N.Y. They will spend their seventh day here and in Camden, boarding two tall ships that will depart Friday morning to hook up with the rest of the OpSail 2000 fleet.

The paddle will be presented to Ms. Murphy by Sandra Schultz, assistant superintendent of the National Park Service's Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and chair of the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee. The mid-afternoon ceremony will take place at Penns Landing after the sojourners disembark the Jolly II Rover, a 75-foot topsail schooner that is permanently berthed at the Penns Landing Marina.

The passing of the paddle is a symbolic gesture to highlight the camaraderie of the sojourn and to emphasize that the non-tidal reach of the river traveled by the canoeists is simply an extension of the tidal portion plied by the tall ships.

"It is one river system," noted Carol R. Collier, executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). "What happens upstream impacts the river downstream. As such, it must be managed as one water body."

The Delaware River Sojourn combines canoeing, camping, and educational programs. The paddlers will end their journey on Saturday with a riverside picnic in Delaware. The Delaware River Basin also includes portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

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

Members of the Delaware River Sojourn Steering Committee which organized 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.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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The Delaware River Sojourn - A River Adventure

07 Jun 2000

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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New Internet Resource Available For Delaware River Watershed Educators

18 May 2000

For Immediate Release

May 18, 2000

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Watershed Education Task Force today announced that it has launched a new, on-line resource to help teachers and students of all ages learn about the Delaware River Basin and general water issues.

The Internet site, hosted by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), can be found at www.drbc.net (choose Ed. Web) or www.drbc-edweb.net.

"Ed. Web" visitors can access maps, general information about the Delaware River Watershed, educational resources and lesson plans, environmental field trip ideas, and upcoming educational opportunities throughout the basin. "Ed. Web" also includes numerous links to other web sites offering information specific to the Delaware River Basin as well as general water subjects.

The web site is a work in progress and educators are invited to share information, such as lesson plans about the watershed, a favorite web site, or a recommended field trip location. Persons interested in contributing to "Ed. Web" should contact DRBC Assistant Public Information Officer Clarke Rupert at (609) 883-9500 ext. 260.

The Delaware River and its 216 tributaries drain 13,539 square miles in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Over seven million people live in the basin and another ten million people who live outside the watershed depend on it for water supply.

The Delaware River Watershed Education Task Force is an informal group including representatives from Alliance for a Sustainable Future, DRBC, Heritage Conservancy, National Park Service, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Princeton University, and Stroud Water Research Center.

Persons interested in joining the task force are invited to contact Russ Johnson, Heritage Conservancy, at 215-345-7020 ext. 107.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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DRBC Announces Fifth Annual "Water Snapshot" -- April 14-30

06 Apr 2000

For Immediate Release

April 6, 2000

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) invites the public to participate in Water Snapshot 2000, April 14-30.

"This popular, water quality sampling project that takes a 'snapshot' of the health of the waters throughout the Delaware River Basin serves as an important educational, outreach activity around Earth Day, April 22," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "It not only brings attention to the need for water quality monitoring, but also provides much-deserved recognition to those volunteers who participate in water quality monitoring programs throughout the year."

Water Snapshot 2000 is an opportunity for the young and old, experienced and first-timers, to collect information about the water quality of their favorite water body during the 17-day period. Some participants conduct a visual assessment while others use simple test kits or the hi-tech instruments of seasoned scientists. The data are recorded on sheets provided to participants and forwarded to the DRBC, where the information is compiled without regard to the precision of the analytical method or the expertise of the data collector. "The results do not reflect exact science, but instead create an awareness of local watersheds and the crucial role they play in all of our lives," Collier said.

"This year, thanks to a donation from the William Penn Foundation, DRBC will be able to offer a limited number of free test kits to interested schools, organizations, and individuals on a first-come, first-served basis," Collier said. Those interested in a free kit should call the DRBC at 609-883-9500 ext. 260.

Training opportunities will be offered to interested Snapshot participants, thanks to the efforts of several steering committee members, including the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Information about training dates and times is available on the DRBC web site at www.state.nj.us/drbc.

The DRBC web site also features useful information for Water Snapshot volunteers, including the downloadable data sheet, a glossary of water quality terminology, maps of the Delaware River Watershed sub-basins, links to watershed organizations, and updated news about the program. Persons unable to access the Internet may call the DRBC at 609-883-9500 ext. 260 for information.

In addition to the DRBC, the Water Snapshot 2000 steering committee includes representatives from DNREC, Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, National Park Service, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania DCNR, Pennsylvania Environmental Council, Pocono Environmental Education Center, Upper Delaware Council, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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The Delaware River Is Not What it Used to Be - That's the Good News!

01 Mar 2000

ATTN: Op-Ed Editors

The Delaware River Is Not What it Used to Be - That's the Good News!

By Carol R. Collier
March 2000

The release of a recent report on the health of the Delaware River and other national waterways made for splashy headlines, but failed to tell both sides of a complex story.

The document, titled "Poisoning Our Water: How the Government Permits Pollution," was issued by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG).

In interpreting data generated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PIRG concludes that of all U.S. rivers, the Delaware in 1997 received "the largest amount of carcinogen releases."

PIRG did this without apparently considering the river's "assimilative capacity," or its ability to dilute or break down pollutants to a point where they do not exceed water quality standards.

According to PIRG's methodology, if you dump ten pounds of a nitrate compound (by far the most common industrial discharge) in both a 20-gallon fish tank and the Delaware River, both bodies of water are equally polluted. PIRG does not take into account the size of the water body receiving the pollutant.

Such pseudo science ignores the truth - the Delaware River isn't what it used to be!

Once foul smelling and oxygen starved along its tidal reach downstream of Trenton, N.J., the Delaware, from its headwaters in New York State's Catskill Mountains to the Delaware Bay, today supports year-round fish populations, offering excellent trout, bass, walleye, striper, shad, and herring fisheries. Pleasure-craft marinas line waterfronts once visited only by commercial vessels. The river and many of its tributaries are flanked by attractive greenways and parks.

The fact is government programs are in place to protect existing water quality and address problems that still remain on a river that is under a lot of pressure - its lower reaches are bordered by heavy industry and the second largest oil refining-petrochemical center in the United States.

The success of those programs, which are designed to achieve both economic vitality and a healthy environment, are well documented.

For almost 40 years, the Delaware River Basin Commission, a pioneer in environmental protection, has partnered with other government agencies and private organizations to clean up the Delaware and its feeder streams. Business and industry also have pitched in.

The commission started a toxics management program more than a decade ago. Two months ago it took an important step to ensure that water quality standards for certain toxic pollutants in the tidal Delaware are met as part of its continuing program to protect human health and aquatic life.

Two of the pollutants, 1,2 dichloroethane (DCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE), have been identified by the EPA as probable human carcinogens. Both are solvents used in the manufacture of chemicals and in the dry cleaning business.

The fact that the commission is addressing these two substances as well as other toxins found in the river can not be found in the PIRG report. Nor is there any mention of the many other water quality success stories that can be tied to the work of the commission and the four basin states (New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey), as well as other government agencies and private groups that over the years have made water pollution abatement a top priority.

The truth is that competing water uses such as recreation and commerce will always defy the absolute resolution of all the problems facing the Delaware or any other major river.

Nevertheless, the Delaware today is the cleanest it's been in 100 years. And it's getting cleaner.

That, too, should make headlines.

________________________

Carol R. Collier is executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission

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Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260, e-mail: clarke.rupert@drbc.state.nj.us

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Program To Focus On Health Of Local Waterways

23 Feb 2000

For Immediate Release

February 23, 2000

(READING, Pa.) - A program on restoration projects involving area lakes and streams, including water pollution abatement efforts, will be held here March 6, 2000.

It will run from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in City Council chambers, located on the second floor of Reading City Hall, 815 Washington St. The public is invited to attend.

Sponsors are the Berks County Conservancy, the Reading Area Water Authority, and the Delaware River Basin Commission.

Penn State professors Dr. Kerry Wedel and Dr. Lysle Sherwin will discuss the Maiden Creek/Lake Ontelaunee project, a $4.4 million venture to construct a sedimentation basin near the lake.

Dr. Phillip Dougherty and Dr. John Hall, professors at Albright College, will talk about a $5.9 million project to apply best management practices (BMPs) at some 140 farms in the Tulpehocken Creek Watershed. BMPs that involve farming include such projects as stream bank fencing and the construction of cattle crossings, both aimed at reducing the amount of manure entering waterways.

A panel discussion will follow the presentations.

The Berks County Conservancy is a non-profit organization devoted to the protection of open space, forests, waterways, farm land, and historic sites.

The Reading Area Water Authority provides water to some 123,000 customers within Berks County.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is an interstate/federal agency which manages the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile basin, including most of Berks County. Programs focus on water quality protection, watershed planning, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, drought management, flood control, and recreation.

The commission will hold a business meeting and public hearing in Reading City Hall the next day, March 7. The two-day event is designed to highlight local issues for the DRBC commissioners and staff while giving area residents a chance to learn more about programs that are in place to protect Berks County waterways. Similar two-day affairs, also featuring special programs, are planned for the future in other parts of the basin.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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DRBC Takes Action To Control Delaware River Toxics

26 Jan 2000

For Immediate Release

January 26, 2000

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) took action today to ensure that stream quality objectives for certain toxic pollutants in the tidal Delaware River are met as part of a continuing program to protect human health and aquatic life.

Two of the pollutants, 1,2 dichloroethane (DCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE), have been identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as "probable human carcinogens." Both are solvents used in the manufacture of chemicals and in the dry cleaning business.

"The action taken today is aimed at protecting the health of some two million people living in southern New Jersey, Delaware, and southeastern Pennsylvania who rely on the Delaware River for drinking water," said Carol R. Collier, the commission's executive director. She added that the action also is intended to safeguard aquatic life, noting that thousands of people eat fish caught in the river.

By a 5-0 vote, the commission ruled that allocations of waste assimilative capacity are necessary to maintain the stream quality objectives for the two substances in a 38-mile reach of the Delaware from Trenton, N.J., downstream to just above Philadelphia International Airport. It also determined that allocations of waste assimilative capacity are necessary for acute and chronic toxicity in certain individual discharges in a 85-mile stretch of the river from Trenton downstream to the head of the Delaware Bay, near Liston Point, Del.

Acute and chronic toxicity indicate the combined effect of multiple pollutants on aquatic life.

Assimilative capacity is the ability of a water body to dilute or break down a pollutant to a point where it does not exceed a stream quality objective.

Commission staff will provide a numerical value for the assimilative capacity for DCE and PCE which can be used by New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania in establishing total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) as appropriate under the federal Clean Water Act.

A TMDL is the total amount of a pollutant or pollutants that can be discharged on a daily basis into a river or stream without exceeding that water body's assimilative capacity.

Staff also was directed to establish wasteload allocations (limits on pollutants contained in a discharger's effluent) or other effluent requirements for DCE and PCE. Acute and chronic toxicity load allocations will be set for individual discharges that have been shown to cause an exceedence of the stream quality objectives. The allocations will be referred to the environmental regulatory agencies in the three states for use in developing effluent limitations, schedules of compliance, and other permit requirements.

Under the resolution adopted by the commission today, Executive Director Collier shall require dischargers of DCE and PCE to collect one year of effluent (discharge) data to measure the magnitude and variability of these pollutants. This will be accomplished before wasteload allocations are established for individual discharges.

The actions taken by the commission are intended to ensure compliance with stream quality objectives, or water quality criteria, adopted by the commission in 1996.

Technical issues relating to the commission actions were debated by members of the commission's Toxics Advisory Committee which was created in the early 1990s. Committee members include representatives from the environmental regulatory agencies in the three down basin states, as well as New York State, the regulated community (municipal and industrial dischargers), the environmental community, academia, agriculture, fish and wildlife management, and public health.

After lengthy deliberations, the committee concluded by two separate votes of 8 to 2 (with municipal and industrial members opposed) that "based upon simple mass balances and complex mathematical modeling, the assimilative capacity of the tidal Delaware River has been exceeded for DCE and PCE in Zones 2 and 3 (between Trenton and Philadelphia) under design conditions."

It also concluded, by unanimous vote, that "localized exceedences of the assimilative capacity of the tidal Delaware River for acute and chronic toxicity have been identified for some individual discharges." Commission staff will continue to work with the advisory committee in studying the potential for cumulative impacts of toxicity.

Fish tissue contamination by other toxic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware River has been highlighted in recent years by the issuance of fish consumption advisories. Anglers have been warned either not to eat or reduce consumption of such species as recreational-sized striped bass, catfish, white perch, and American eel.

These other pollutants currently are being studied by commission staff for future actions that may be necessary to ensure that stream quality objectives for these pollutants also are achieved.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the federal government. Commission programs include water quality protection, watershed planning, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, drought management, flood control, and recreation.

For more information about the commission and the Delaware River Basin, visit the DRBC web site at www.state.nj.us/drbc .

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Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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Land Use/Water Resources Panel Discussion Announced

20 Oct 1999

For Immediate Release

October 20, 1999

(JIM THORPE, Pa.) - A panel discussion on the topics of land use changes, impacts on water resources, the image of the Delaware River Basin, and planning for the future will take place on Oct. 26 in Jim Thorpe, Pa.

The public event, cosponsored by the Economic Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania (EDCNP) and the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Courtroom #1 of the Carbon County Courthouse, 4 Broadway, Jim Thorpe. Persons interested in attending are asked to pre-register by calling EDCNP at (570) 655-5581.

"The DRBC views this as an excellent opportunity to learn about the special interests and concerns of our constituents in the Lehigh River watershed and how the commission might be able to help," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said.

"We are very pleased to cosponsor this panel with the DRBC in Northeastern Pennsylvania," EDCNP Executive Director Howard J. Grossman said. "This event brings to our region an important opportunity to discuss our interests in the Delaware River Basin and to meet first hand with commission members and staff."

In addition to Collier and Grossman, panelists scheduled to participate include Davis R. Chant, President, Pike County Chamber of Commerce; Jim Clauser, Director, Carbon County Conservation District; Mathilda Harrison, Deputy Executive Director, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau; Tom Kerr, Executive Director, Wildlands Conservancy; William McDonnell, Northeast Regional Office Director, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection; Fred Osifat, Director, Carbon County Planning Commission; Alan Saches, newly-appointed Executive Director, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor; and Craig Todd, Director, Monroe County Conservation District.

The EDCNP is a private nonprofit corporation organized to further economic, social, and physical development in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne Counties. It is comprised of a 131-member Council of Delegates and a 51-member Board of Directors from the private and public sectors in northeast Pennsylvania. Funding comes from federal and state grants/contracts, as well as contributions from the seven county governments, private firms, organizations, and individuals.

The DRBC was formed in 1961 by compact among the four basin states (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware) and the federal government to manage water resources in the 13,539-square-mile Delaware River watershed. The Lehigh River is one of the two largest tributaries to the Delaware River. Commission programs include water quality protection, watershed planning, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, drought management, flood control, and recreation.

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Delaware River Watershed-Wide Conference Announced

15 Oct 1999

For Immediate Release

October 15, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - A consortium of government agencies and non-profit groups from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware today announced a three-day, basin-wide conference on the Delaware River watershed Nov. 15-17 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, City Line Ave. and Monument Rd., Philadelphia.

The goals of the conference are to educate participants about the current state of the watershed, showcase innovative strategies and examples of effective watershed programs, and foster public/private partnerships.

The first day of the conference will include a choice of 11 daylong training seminars and field trips. The second day will feature "state of the basin" information with keynote speakers, plenary sessions, and workshops on watershed management and sustainability. The final day will be dedicated to showcasing model solutions and success stories, plus workshops aimed at propelling implementation of specific suggestions.

The conference is the culmination of a multi-part process called "Flowing Toward the Future: 21st Century Directions for the Delaware River and its Watersheds," designed to generate a vision for the river and its tributaries in the next millennium by focusing on consensus building.

Actions leading up to the three-day conference have included a series of 10 public workshops throughout the four-state Delaware River Basin last spring and a Governors’ Summit on Sept. 29 attended by Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Gov. Thomas R. Carper, as well as state and federal government environmental leaders.

Conference sponsors include the Delaware Estuary Program, Heritage Conservancy, National Park Service, William Penn Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PECO Energy, Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Del. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and the Port of Philadelphia and Camden.

The conference is being organized by the Alliance for a Sustainable Future, DNREC, Delaware Estuary Program, Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), Heritage Conservancy, National Park Service, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Future, N.Y. State Department of Environmental Conservation, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection, Stroud Water Research Center, U.S. EPA, Upper Delaware Council, and Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin.

The Delaware River and its 216 feeder streams and rivers drain 13,539 square miles in the four basin states. Over seven million people live in the basin and another ten million people who live outside the watershed also depend on it for water supply.

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Contact: Clarke Rupert, DRBC, 609-883-9500 ext. 260

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DRBC Lifts Drought Emergency Actions

30 Sep 1999

For Immediate Release

September 30, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Two major storms that unleashed heavy rains along the East Coast and recent showers prompted the Delaware River Basin Commission to lift drought emergency actions it had put in place last month.

The Commission took the action today at its regular monthly meeting, noting that storage in three large water supply reservoirs in the upper basin had risen by 23 billion gallons since mid-September. Streamflows also have rebounded and ground water levels, some at record lows during the summer, are showing signs of recovery.

The heavy rains also flushed the "salt front" in the Delaware River downstream to just north of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, which is eight miles below its normal location for this time of year. If the salty water migrates too far upstream it can cause corrosion problems for industries which use Delaware River water and increase costs for water treatment.

Storage in the three upper basin reservoirs (Pepacton, Neversink, and Cannonsville) stood at 156 billion gallons (bg) today. The reservoirs have a combined storage capacity of 271 bg. Although the recent rainfall has helped considerably, levels in the reservoirs are still 13 percent below normal for this time of year.

Commission officials urged the basin's citizens to continue to conserve water (on a voluntary basis), noting that water conservation should be a life-long-habit.

Lifted today by the commission were these emergency actions that had been adopted August 18:

The marshaling of water supplies in state and power company reservoirs in a move to bolster streamflows by coordinating releases from the impoundments.

A requirement that large self-supplied users of surface water prepare and submit to the commission contingency plans for water curtailment should that become necessary. The requirement never kicked in.

A reduction of the Trenton flow objective from 3,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 2,700 cfs to preserve storage in two lower basin reservoirs - Blue Marsh on the Schuylkill River and Beltzville on the Lehigh River. The flow objective reverted back to 3,000 cfs today.

An arrangement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to store water in the Corps' F.E. Walter Reservoir to provide releases to increase downstream flows. The reservoir, located on the Lehigh River near Wilkes-Barre, Pa., normally is used solely for flood control and recreation.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is an interstate/federal agency formed in 1961 to manage the water resources in the 13,539 square-mile watershed.

***

Editors/News Directors: visit the DRBC's web site (www.nj.gov/drbc/) for a wealth of drought-related information, including reservoir storage levels, the location of the "salt front," and a list of the communities that are located in the basin.

Link to DRBC's drought information page.

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

DRBC Releases Annual Report

23 Aug 1999

For Immediate Release

August 23, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission has released its 1998 Annual Report in which newly-appointed Executive Director Carol R. Collier outlines some of the challenges to be faced in the 21st Century.

"We will be addressing the difficult issues of resource management, including water demand forecasting, watershed management, and equitable use of limited water resources," she writes. "We will provide service to our constituents - the four states, federal government, environmental organizations, recreators and water users - by providing a framework within which economic progress and environmental protection can continue."

Ms. Collier predicts that the issues of water scarcity will increase in the next few years, adding, "We will see greater demands for water supply, as well as increased use of the waterways for recreation. The importance of aquatic habitats is becoming more apparent, and our understanding of habitat protection is growing."

"Are we properly allocating surface and ground waters?" she asks. "How can we most effectively protect our stream and river biological systems? The DRBC needs to play a key role in this debate."

The report includes chapters on water quality and water supply as well a section on the adoption of new management techniques to be used in watershed management. Free copies of the report are available by contacting the commission at P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, N.J. 08628, or phoning 609-883-9500 ext. 240. The report soon will be posted on the commission's web site: www.state.nj.us/drbc/.

***

DRBC Adopts Emergency Drought Actions

18 Aug 1999

For Immediate Release

August 18, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) – The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) took emergency actions today to deal with unprecedented drought conditions, including a decision to marshal water supplies in state and power company reservoirs in order to bolster streamflows by coordinating releases from the impoundments.

The DRBC commissioners also agreed to require, at the request of a basin state, large self-supplied users* of ground and surface water in that state to prepare and submit to the commission contingency plans for water curtailment should that become necessary.

The commission noted that while drought warning and emergency indicators based on reservoir storage levels that are set forth in its own operating plans had not yet been triggered, emergency actions were warranted at this time due to the severity of the water shortage.

"The reservoirs benefitted from the winter and spring runoff and are masking the true nature of this drought," said Carol R. Collier, the DRBC's executive director.

Deeming it in the public interest, the commission went on record as officially supporting the drought management actions recently taken by the four basin states - Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

"We want to send a clear message to our constituents that management plans are in place throughout the Delaware River Basin to deal with different aspects of the drought," noted Ms. Collier. "The DRBC's drought operating plans focus on streamflow management and controlling salinity intrusion in basin rivers and streams. The states' plans look at other factors like soil moisture, ground water levels, crop damage, even the potential for forest fires. Municipalities and townships have their own plans to deal with unique local conditions."

The commission will be requesting Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. and the Southern Co. to make releases from two hydro power dams and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to evacuate water from Nockamixon Reservoir, located in Bucks County, to help meet a Delaware River flow target of 2,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Trenton. PP&L generates electricity at Lake Wallenpaupack, which straddles Wayne and Pike Counties in Pennsylvania; the Southern Co. (formerly Orange and Rockland Utilities) operates the Mongaup reservoir system located in Orange County, New York. Releases from the Mongaup impoundments also will help meet a flow target of 1,750 cfs at Montague, N.J., located just downstream of Port Jervis, N.Y.

In other action, the commissioners:

- ratified an earlier July 21 decision to reduce the Trenton flow objective from 3,000 cfs to the current 2,700 cfs to preserve storage in two lower basin reservoirs - Blue Marsh on the Schuylkill River and Beltzville on the Lehigh River. Releases from the two impoundments also are made to meet the Trenton target, as well as to enhance water quality and protect fisheries.

- agreed to continue an arrangement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to store water at the Corps' F.E. Walter Reservoir to provide releases for flow augmentation. The reservoir, located on the Lehigh River near Wilkes-Barre, Pa., normally is used just for flood control, meaning the dammed lake is held to a low elevation so it can capture runoff from storms.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is an interstate/federal agency formed in 1961 that manages the water resources in the 13,539 square mile watershed.

* A self-supplied user has its own source of water (ponds, wells, streams etc.) in contrast to purchasing it from a water company.

Editors/News Directors: visit the DRBC's web site (www.nj.gov/drbc/) for a wealth of background information on the current drought, including reservoir storage levels, the location of the "salt front," and a list of the communities that are located within the basin.

Text of Resolution 1999-18 Adopting Drought Emergency Actions (pdf 46 KB)

Link to DRBC's Drought Information Page

***

Contact: Clarke Rupert 609-883-9500 ext. 260

***

DRBC Reduces River Flow Target At Trenton

23 Jul 1999

For Immediate Release

July 23, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) – The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) and New York City have agreed to temporarily modify the Delaware River flow target at Trenton, N.J. from 3,000 to 2,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) in an effort to conserve dwindling water supplies.

"This temporary action is intended to preserve storage in the Beltzville and Blue Marsh reservoirs for later use if the current dry weather continues," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said. "The DRBC commissioners and New York City decided that it was in the public’s best interest to preserve storage in these lower basin reservoirs to the maximum possible extent."

Due to unusually low flows in the Delaware River, the largest supplemental releases in the last 10 years were being made to support the Trenton flow target of 3,000 cfs. The DRBC has been directing up to 300 cfs of supplemental releases from three, large reservoirs owned by New York City that are located in the Delaware River’s headwaters in New York State. Prior to the July 21 decision modifying the Trenton target, the DRBC also was directing releases of 150 to 300 cfs from the two lower basin reservoirs. The lower 2,700 cfs Trenton target avoids these lower basin releases at the present time.

"This decision will save precious water now being stored in the lower basin reservoirs while the "salt line" is not a major problem and buy us a little time in the hope that the area will get desperately-needed rainfall," Collier said.

"While the commission is taking this action to conserve water storage in the reservoirs, it is important that everyone – whether you are 5, 40 or 80 years old – avoids wasteful water practices," Collier added. "We all need to make water conservation a lifelong habit."

The commission’s drought plan focuses on salinity intrusion, or the upstream migration of salty water from the Delaware Bay during low-flow conditions in basin rivers and streams. As salt-laced water moves upriver, it increases corrosion control costs for surface water users and can raise the treatment costs for public water suppliers. The "salt line" is now at River Mile 83 in the vicinity of Chester, Pa., 11 miles upstream from the normal location for this time of the year.

The Blue Marsh Reservoir is located along the Schuylkill River in Berks County, Pa. and the Beltzville Reservoir is located along the Lehigh River in Carbon County, Pa.

The DRBC commissioners and a New York City representative unanimously agreed to the Trenton flow target modification in a conference call on July 21. The commissioners intend to formally approve and ratify this action at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 18.

For more information, including water conservation ideas, visit the DRBC website at www.nj.gov/drbc/ .

***

Pumpout Sites For Boaters Available From DRBC

29 Jun 1999

For Immediate Release

June 29, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission has created maps that depict the locations of sewage pumpout stations for boaters navigating the tidal reach of the Delaware River and the Delaware Bay.

The sites of four pumpout facilities in Delaware, three in Pennsylvania, and eight in New Jersey are pinpointed on the maps, which also provide telephone numbers for the marinas or boat yards where the facilities are located. Boaters are urged to call ahead for hours of operation.

The maps are featured on the Commission’s web site at http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/library/documents/pump.pdf, or can be ordered by phone or mail by calling 609-883-9500 ext. 240, or writing to Delaware River Basin Commission, P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, N.J. 08628. There is no charge.

In an effort to address the pollution problems caused by the discharge of raw sewage from vessels, Congress in 1992 passed the Clean Vessel Act. The act established a five-year federal grant program to be administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, authorizing $40 million for use by the states for pumpout projects.

Raw sewage discharged from marine toilets, or heads, can spread disease, contaminate shellfish beds, and deplete dissolved oxygen levels, causing stress to fish and other aquatic life. Bacteria from raw sewage ingested by shellfish can convey waterborne pathogens such as hepatitis and typhoid.

Boaters seeking to locate pumpout facilities on waterways outside the Delaware River Basin may call 1-800-ASK-FISH, a toll free number established by the Sportfishing Promotion Council.

The Delaware River Basin Commission is an interstate/federal agency that manages the water resources within the 13,539 square-mile watershed, which drains portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

***

DRBC Amends Ground Water Regulations In Southeast Pennsylvania To Include 62 Additional Watersheds

25 Jun 1999

For Immediate Release

June 25, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) this week amended its Ground Water Protected Area Regulations for Southeastern Pennsylvania to establish numerical withdrawal limits for 62 additional subbasins, or watersheds.

"The action taken by the commissioners at their June 23 meeting means that the entire Protected Area is now covered by specific numerical ground water withdrawal limits for 76 watersheds," DRBC Executive Director Carol R. Collier said.

The Commission, at the request of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, established the Protected Area in 1980 after it became evident that development was negatively impacting ground water levels.

"The goal of the Protected Area regulations is to prevent depletion of ground water, protect the interests and rights of lawful users of the same water source, and balance and reconcile alternative and conflicting uses of limited water resources in the region," Collier said.

"Lowered water tables in the Protected Area have reduced flows in some streams and dried up others. This reduction in baseflows affects downstream water uses, negatively impacts aquatic life, and can reduce the capacity of waterways in the region to assimilate pollutants," Collier added.

Prior to this week's action, the DRBC regulations, adopted in 1998, established numerical ground water withdrawal limits only for the 14 watersheds in the Neshaminy Creek Basin.

The Protected Area regulations use a two-tiered system of water withdrawal limits.

The first tier serves as a warning that a subbasin is "potentially stressed." In potentially stressed subbasins, applicants for new or expanded ground water withdrawals are required to implement one or more programs to mitigate adverse impacts of additional ground water withdrawals. Acceptable programs include conjunctive use of ground water and surface water, expanded water conservation programs, programs to control ground water infiltration, and artificial recharge and spray irrigation.

The second tier serves as the maximum withdrawal limit. Under the regulations, ground water withdrawals can not exceed that limit.

The regulations also:

Provide incentives for holders of existing DRBC dockets and Protected Area permits to implement one or more of the above programs to reduce the adverse impacts of their ground water withdrawals. If docket or permit holders successfully implement one or more programs, the Commission will extend the docket or permit duration for up to ten years;
Specify criteria for the issuance and review of dockets and permits as well as procedures for revising withdrawal limits to correspond with integrated water resource plans adopted by municipalities for subbasins. (These plans would address such areas as future water demand, options for wastewater discharge, and floodplain and stormwater management practices.);
Establish protocol for updating and revising withdrawal limits to provide additional protection for streams designated by Pennsylvania as "high quality," or "wild, scenic or pastoral" as defined by the state's Scenic Rivers Program.

The limits were derived from baseflow characteristics of geologic formations that were developed in a study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A geographic information system (GIS) was then used to generate overlay maps of the original 14 subbasins located in the Neshaminy Creek Basin. The study later was broadened to include the 62 additional subbasins that fall either entirely or partially within the Protected Area. GIS mapping also was prepared for these watersheds.

The Ground Water Protected Area takes in 1,200 square miles and includes 127 municipalities. In addition to the Neshaminy Creek Watershed, other large drainage areas include the Brandywine Creek, Perkiomen Creek, and Wissahickon Creek subbasins.

In addition to all of Montgomery County, the following areas in surrounding counties fall within the Protected Area:

Berks: the townships of Douglass, Hereford, and Union.
Bucks: the townships of Bedminster, Buckingham, Doylestown, East Rockhill, Hilltown, Lower Southampton, Middletown, Milford, New Britain, Newtown, Northampton, Plumstead, Richland, Upper Southampton, Warminster, Warrington, Warwick, West Rockhill, and Wrightstown; the boroughs of Chalfont, Doylestown, Dublin, Hulmeville, Ivyland, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, New Britain, Newtown, Penndel, Perkasie, Quakertown, Richlandtown, Sellersville, Silverdale, Telford, and Trumbauersville.
Chester: the townships of Birmingham, Charlestown, East Bradford, East Coventry, East Goshen, East Pikeland, Easttown, East Vincent, East Whiteland, North Coventry, Schuylkill, South Coventry, Thornbury, Tredyffrin, Warwick, West Bradford, West Goshen, Westtown, Willistown, and West Whiteland; the boroughs of Elverson, Malvern, Phoenixville, Spring City and West Chester.
Lehigh: Lower Milford Township.

For more information, visit the DRBC website at www.state.nj.us/drbc.

***

Page Fielding: A Pro And A Friend

27 Apr 1999

For Immediate Release

April 27, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - H. Page Fielding, senior geologist at the Delaware River Basin Commission who over a career of three decades captured the respect of fellow workers through his steadfast commitment to pure science, died Sunday. He was 64.

A honed craftsman from the old school, he radiated a keen understanding of earth's complex formations. He was intolerant of non-scientific cures for scientific ills, at times offering gruff rebukes to those who dared tread on nature's natural laws. He was impressed not by titles or political pomp, but found his gratification by applying his trade with exacting accuracy and fairness.

He was a pro and a friend.

"Page was always forthright and candid in his approach to the task at hand," noted Tom Brand, the Commission's project review head who worked with Mr. Fielding for many years. "In this world of political correctness, he was a breath of fresh air."

Mr. Fielding grew up in Devon, Pa., later moving to Titusville, N.J. He graduated from Episcopal Academy and Franklin and Marshall College. He served in the Army from 1955 to 1958.

Survivors include his wife, Judith Janusz Fielding, and a brother, Richard.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 29 at St. David's Church, 763 Valley Forge Rd., Wayne, Pa. Burial will be private.

***

DRBC To Hold Hearings On Delaware River Toxics

15 Apr 1999

For Immediate Release

April 15, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) Executive Director Carol R. Collier today announced that three hearings will be held in May to give the public an opportunity to comment on the commission’s proposed determination that several pollutants exceed water quality criteria in the Delaware River between Trenton, N.J. and the Delaware Bay.

“If this determination is approved, DRBC regulations will authorize me as executive director to set wasteload allocations for specific point source (end-of-pipe) discharges of these pollutants, as needed, for 76 riverbank wastewater treatment plants,” Collier said. “Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware would, in turn, use these allocations to establish appropriate effluent limitations in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits within their jurisdiction.”

The pollutants identified by the DRBC include 1,2 - dichloroethane, tetrachloroethene (or PCE), chronic toxicity and acute toxicity.

“These pollutants can be toxic to aquatic life and have the potential to be harmful to humans through ingestion of untreated river water and/or the consumption of fish.” Collier said.

Chronic toxicity refers to adverse effects of the wastewater discharges as a whole resulting from exposure over an extended time while acute toxicity refers to short-term adverse effects. Both consider not only the effects of individual chemicals in the discharges, but also pollutant interactions.

The public hearings will be held at the following locations:

May 3, 1:30 p.m., at the Carvel State Building, Second Floor Auditorium, 820 N. French St., Wilmington, Del.
May 5, 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., at the DRBC Office, Goddard Conference Room, 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, N.J.
May 11, 1:30 p.m., at the Holiday Inn, Jefferson Room, 400 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Individuals in need of an accommodation as provided for in the Americans With Disabilities Act who would like to attend a hearing should contact Commission Secretary Susan M. Weisman at (609) 883-9500 ext. 203 or through the New Jersey Relay Service at 1 (800) 852-7899 (TTY) to discuss how the DRBC may meet your needs.

For more information on the DRBC’s toxics management program, visit the DRBC website.

***

Flowing Toward the Future Workshops Announced

08 Apr 1999

For Immediate Release

April 8, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - A consortium of government agencies and non-profit groups today announced a series of workshops as the first step in a process to forge a unified directions plan to steer the Delaware River Basin into the next century.

Called "Flowing Toward the Future, 21st Century Directions for the Delaware River and its Watersheds," the process is designed to generate a vision for the river and its tributaries in the new millennium, focusing on consensus building and conflict resolution.

The ten workshops will be held at five locations, with afternoon sessions running from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and evening sessions from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Dates and locations:

April 19 - Dover, Del., Sheraton Hotel, Route 13;

April 21 - Philadelphia, Pa., Holiday Inn, 400 Arch Street;

April 26 - Bridgeton, N.J., Cohanzick Country Club;

May 5 - Narrowsburg, N.Y., Tusten Town Hall;

May 6 - Bethlehem, Pa., Lehigh University, Mountain Top Campus.

Information and insight flowing from the workshops will be used to develop a "Directions Report" which will present issues to be resolved as well as programs that need to be implemented over the next several years.

The report will be submitted to the governors of the four basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) who will hold a summit meeting this September to reaffirm the visions generated at the workshops and lay out new action strategies.

The report also will be the subject of a basin-wide stakeholders conference to be held in November. Participants at the workshops will be divided into four "interest groups" tied to these categories: recreation users/providers; government; preservation/advocacy; and commerce/utilities.

Facilitators will work with each group to develop vision components, issues, programs, priorities, and measurable outcomes that are unique to that interest group. Following the breakout process, participants will be given the opportunity to score the group's work and also the work of the other three groups.

Persons and organizations interested in participating in the workshops are encouraged to call 1-877-675-8147 (toll free) to register. Registration also can be made by fax: 1-800-733-2010. Brochures for the workshops can be obtained by calling the Delaware River Basin Commission at 609-883-9500 ext. 205.

In addition, Flowing Toward the Future web sites can be found at www.state.nj.us/drbc/ and www.delep.org.

Flowing Toward the Future events are being sponsored by: Alliance for a Sustainable Future; Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control; Delaware Estuary Program; Delaware River Basin Commission; Heritage Conservancy; National Park Service; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; New York Department of Environmental Conservation; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Partnership for the Delaware Estuary; Upper Delaware Council; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Regions II and III; and Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin.

***

DRBC Hosts Panel on Watershed/Land Use Management

22 Feb 1999

For Immediate Release

February 22, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) -- The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will host a panel discussion March 8 on the role integrated resource planning plays in resolving complex water and land use issues.

The discussion, which is designed to promote public dialogue, will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Hearing Room of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Southeast Regional Office at 555 E. North Lane, Lee Park Suite 6010, Conshohocken, Pa. There is no fee and advance registration is not required.

The event is being held the day before the Commission holds public hearings on proposed amendments to regulations that set limits on ground water withdrawals in the Ground Water Protected Area of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Among other provisions, the regulations encourage municipalities within the Protected Area to work together in adopting integrated resource plans to address the relationship between watershed management and land use planning. The plans must cover such areas as future water demand, options for wastewater discharge, the protection of instream flows, and floodplain and stormwater management.

The Protected Area was established by the DRBC in 1980 at the request of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The goal is to balance and reconcile alternative and conflicting uses of limited ground water in the region.

The six speakers on the panel will provide different perspectives on integrated resource planning and the role government agencies should play in preparing and implementing such plans. The panelists are:

Janet Bowers, executive director, Chester County Water Resources Authority; Thomas Cahill, Cahill and Associates; Jerry Cardamone, Esq.; David Milan, chief executive officer, Superior Water Co.; Gregory Prowant, manager, Lower Pottsgrove Township; and Michael Stokes, assistant director, Montgomery County Planning Commission.

***

DRBC Schedules Hearings on Ground Water Regulations

18 Feb 1999

For Immediate Release

February 18, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) will hold public hearings on March 9 on proposed amendments to regulations that set limits on ground water withdrawals in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The hearings will be held in the Hearing Room of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Southeast Regional Office, 555 E. North Lane, Lee Park, Suite 6010, Conshohocken, Pa. The first hearing will begin at 1 p.m.; the second at 7 p.m.

The DRBC currently has on the books regulations that establish numerical ground water withdrawal limits for 14 subbasins, or watersheds, in the Ground Water Protected Area of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The study later was broadened to include 62 additional subbasins that fall either entirely or partially within the Protected Area. GIS mapping also was prepared for these watersheds.

With a complete map set now in hand, it is the DRBC's intent to amend it regulations to establish withdrawal limits for the entire area. Adding the 62 subbasins to the DRBC's current regulations is the subject of the March 9 hearing.

"We now have a complete spatial analysis of this stressed resource," noted Carol Collier, the DRBC's executive director. "This computer snapshot provides the information we need to manage that resource effectively."

The Ground Water Protected Area, where more stringent regulations apply to ground water withdrawals than they do in the rest of the Delaware River Basin, was established by the DRBC in 1980 at the request of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The goal is to prevent depletion of ground water, protect the interests and rights of lawful users of the same water source, and balance and reconcile alternative and conflicting uses of limited water resources in the region.

Lowered water tables in the Protected Area have reduced flows in some streams and dried up others. This reduction in baseflows affects downstream water uses, negatively impacts on aquatic life, and can reduce the capacity of waterways in the region to assimilate pollutants.

The DRBC's current regulations that apply to the Neshaminy Creek Basin were adopted in January of 1998. They create a two-tiered system of water withdrawal limits.

The first tier serves as a warning that a subbasin is "potentially stressed." In potentially stressed subbasins, applicants for new or expanded ground water withdrawals are required to implement one or more programs to mitigate adverse impacts of additional ground water withdrawals. Acceptable programs include: conjunctive use of ground water and surface water; expanded water conservation programs; programs to control ground water infiltration; and artificial recharge and spray irrigation.

The second tier serves as the maximum withdrawal limit. Under the regulations, ground water withdrawals can not exceed that limit.

The regulations also:

provide incentives for holders of existing DRBC dockets and Protected Area permits to implement one or more of the above programs to reduce the adverse impacts of their ground water withdrawals. If docket or permit holders successfully implement one or more programs, the Commission will extend the docket or permit duration for up to ten years;
specify criteria for the issuance and review of dockets and permits as well as procedures for revising withdrawal limits to correspond with integrated water resource plans adopted by municipalities for subbasins. (These plans would address such areas as future water demand, options for wastewater discharge, and floodplain and stormwater management practices.);
establish protocol for updating and revising withdrawal limits to provide additional protection for streams designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as "high quality," or "wild, scenic or pastoral" as defined by state's Scenic Rivers Program.

The GIS mapping prepared by the USGS covers all of Montgomery County plus the portions of Berks, Bucks, Chester, and Lehigh counties that fall within the Protected Area. Portions of Delaware and Philadelphia counties, which fall outside the designated zone, also were mapped as was a portion of Chester County that skirts the Protected Area.

The maps depict watershed and municipal boundaries, geology, stream locations, ground water withdrawal points, and discharge locations.

The information is available on compact disk (CD-ROM) at a cost of $10. To order, call the DRBC at 609-883-9500 ext. 249. To review the data at the Commission's offices call 609-883-9500 ext. 263 to make an appointment. To review the CD-ROM at locations within the Protected Area call 609-883-9500 ext. 203.

The study that provided the baseflow analyses for the 14 watersheds in the Neshaminy Creek Basin, and an accompanying map series entitled "Maps of Difference Between Ground-Water Contributions to Base Flow for the Various Recurrence Intervals and Ground-Water Withdrawals in the Neshaminy Creek Basin, Pennsylvania," may also be reviewed at the Commission's offices.

In addition, review copies are available at the offices of the Bucks County Planning Commission (215-345-3400); the Bucks County Library Center (215-348-9082); the Montgomery County Planning Commission (610-278-3733); the Chester County Library (610-363-0884); and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (610-264-4544).

Water use data as recent as 1996, provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and approximate water and sewer service area boundaries in the Protected Area, can be downloaded from the Commission's web site: http://www.state.nj.us/drbc.

A color map of the Protected Area also is available on the DRBC web site.

In addition to all of Montgomery County, these areas in surrounding counties fall within the Protected Area:

Berks: the townships of Douglass, Hereford, and Union.

Bucks: the townships of Bedminster, Buckingham, Doylestown, East Rockhill, Hilltown, Lower Southampton, Middletown, Milford, New Britain, Newtown, Northampton, Plumstead, Richland, Upper Southampton, Warminster, Warrington, Warwick, West Rockhill, and Wrightstown; the boroughs of Chalfont, Doylestown, Dublin, Hulmeville, Ivyland, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, New Britain, Newtown, Penndel, Perkasie, Quakertown, Richlandtown, Sellersville, Silverdale, Telford, and Trumbauersville.

Chester: the townships of Birmingham, Charlestown, East Bradford, East Coventry, East Goshen, East Pikeland, Easttown, East Vincent, East Whiteland, North Coventry, Schuylkill, South Coventry, Thornbury, Tredyffrin, Warwick, West Bradford, West Goshen, Westtown, Willistown, and West Whiteland; the boroughs of Elverson, Malvern, Phoenixville, Spring City and West Chester.

Lehigh: Lower Milford Township.

***

DRBC: Drought Warning Lifted

02 Feb 1999

For Immediate Release

February 2, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J) - A drought warning, which resulted in tightened water supplies for New York City and portions of New Jersey, ended today, the result of recent drenching rains and melting snowpack.

The late January storms helped replenish reservoir storage in the Delaware River Basin and flush salt-laced water in the Delaware River downstream towards the ocean.

Over six inches of precipitation were recorded in some areas of the watershed last month, almost doubling normal levels for January, and storage in headwater reservoirs was further bolstered by runoff from thawing snow and ice.

The drought warning was issued by the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) on December 14, 1998, following five months of extremely dry weather. It applied to those portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware that make up the 13,539 square-mile drainage area of the Delaware River and its tributary waterways.

Exempted were Cumberland and Cape May counties in New Jersey, and the area below the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Delaware because water usage in these portions of the basin has little or no impact on salt water intrusion.

Under the Commission's drought management plan, a warning ends when combined storage in three huge water supply reservoirs in the upper basin increases to at least 15 billion gallons above a designated drought warning zone and stays above that level for five consecutive days. Storage topped the 15-billion gallon buffer last Thursday and remained above it through today.

The three impoundments, Pepacton, Neversink and Cannonsville, are owned by New York City, which lies outside the basin, but gets roughly half its water from the reservoirs through gravity-fed aqueducts. The impoundments are located at the Delaware River's headwaters in the Catskill Mountains and account for roughly 75 percent of the total surface water storage in the basin.

The reservoirs hold 271 billion gallons of useable water when full. As of today, combined storage was 165 billion gallons or 61 percent of capacity. Normally on this date the reservoirs are 79 percent full holding 215 billion gallons.

In a healthy hydrologic cycle, storage in the reservoirs would be increasing during the late fall and winter months when water demand drops off and thirsty vegetation has died off or is dormant. Last year, however, storage fell by 78 billion gallons from October 1 through December and continued the decline into early January.

By late November, reservoir levels were 25 percent below normal, prompting the DRBC to preempt its formal drought operating plan in an effort to get a head start on the worsening drought conditions.

Under an agreement among the Commission and the parties to a 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree that apportioned the waters of the Delaware, a decision was made to throttle back both releases from the reservoirs into the Delaware and reservoir withdrawals by New York City.

During normal hydrologic conditions, New York can take up to 800 million gallons a day (mgd) from the impoundments. In return, it must release sufficient water into the Delaware to meet a downstream flow target of 1,750 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Montague, N.J., located just downstream of Port Jervis, N.Y. In addition, the DRBC directs releases from two lower basin reservoirs to maintain a flow target of 3,000 cfs at Trenton.

Under the agreement reached on November 21, the flow targets were reduced to 1,655 cfs at Montague and 2,700 cfs at Trenton and New York City's take from its reservoirs was cut to 680 mgd.

When the basin entered the first stage of drought warning on December 14, a water diversion to northern New Jersey through the Delaware and Raritan Canal was reduced from 100 mgd to 85 mgd. The water supply channel feeds off the Delaware River upstream of Trenton and winds its way to the Raritan River at New Brunswick.

A second stage drought warning kicked in on December 23 and the diversions were further reduced: New York City dropped from 680 mgd to 560 mgd; New Jersey from 85 mgd to 70 mgd. The Montague streamflow target was lowered from 1,655 cfs to 1,550 cfs.

In all, 12.8 billion gallons of water were saved in reservoir storage as the result of these drought management actions.

With the drought warning now lifted, the diversions and streamflow targets revert back to normal levels.

The lack of rain that began in mid-July not only impacted reservoir storage and streamflows, but caused significant decreases in ground water levels throughout the basin. Flows rebounded as a result of the late January storms and ground water levels are recovering, but are still well below normal for this time of year.

The Commission's drought plan focuses on salinity intrusion -- the upstream migration of salty water from the Delaware Bay during low-flow conditions in basin rivers and streams.

As part of a pact generated by the Commission among the basin states and New York City (the parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decree), the city must release sufficient water into the Delaware River from its three reservoirs to help repel, or flush back, the salt-laced water, known in water jargon as the "salt front" (a seven-day average 250 milligrams per liter chloride concentration.)

Runoff from January's storms swelled the Delaware and tributary streams, the rush of sea-bound fresh water pushing the salt front downstream to River Mile 69 at the Delaware Memorial Bridge. That's one mile above its average location for this time of year. During the height of the drought, the salty water had migrated as far north as River Mile 85, about four miles downstream of the Philadelphia's International Airport.

As the salt-laced water moves upriver it increases corrosion control costs for surface water users, particularly industry, and can raise the treatment costs for public water purveyors.

In recent dry years, salty water also has migrated into streams and creeks in Delaware, threatening water supplies in northern New Castle County.

In addition to releases from the three New York City reservoirs, 4.89 billion gallons of water were released during the dry spell from Beltzville Reservoir on the Lehigh River and Blue Marsh Reservoir on the Schuylkill River to improve flows, enhance water quality, and protect fisheries. The releases also helped to repel salinity.

And, when the drought warning was in effect, a consortium of electric utilities in the basin released water from Merrill Creek Reservoir to make up for evaporative losses at their riverbank generating stations during low flow periods on the Delaware. The 16-billion gallon impoundment, located near Phillipsburg, N.J., came on line in 1982. In all, 666 million gallons of water were released into the river from Merrill Creek.

The basin has entered into drought warning ten times since the early 1980s when the Commission's drought management plan was adopted. Two times, in 1981 and 1985, conditions worsened and drought emergencies were declared. The last drought warning occurred in the fall of 1998 and lasted less than two months.

The Delaware Basin stretches some 330 miles from the Delaware River's headwaters in New York State to the mouth of the Delaware Bay.

The DRBC, which is responsible for managing the water resources in the basin, was formed in 1961. The DRBC commissioners are the governors of the four basin states and a federal representative appointed by the President.

The following counties in Pennsylvania fall entirely within the Delaware River Basin: Bucks, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Pike.

Pennsylvania counties that fall partially within the basin: Berks (99%), Carbon (99%), Chester (80%), Lackawanna (9%), Lancaster (1%), Lebanon (5%), Luzerne (10%), Schuylkill (43%), and Wayne (96%).

The following New Jersey counties fall entirely within the basin: Cumberland, Salem and Warren.

Those partially in the basin: Atlantic (4%), Burlington (55%), Camden (50%), Cape May (33%), Gloucester (83%), Hunterdon (35%), Mercer (70%), Monmouth (25%), Morris (13%), Ocean (20%), and Sussex (67%).

There are no counties in New York State or Delaware that are completely in the basin.

New York counties partially in the basin: Broome (2%), Chenango (1%), Delaware (85%), Greene (2%), Orange (15%), Schoharie (1%), Sullivan (95%), and Ulster (15%).

Delaware counties partially in the basin: Kent (65%), New Castle (90%), and Sussex (20%).

***

Editors and News Directors: A list of the communities (townships, towns, etc.) located within the Delaware River Basin can be found on the DRBC's web site.

Dr. Fikslin Promoted

10 Jan 1999

For Immediate Release

January 10, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Thomas J. Fikslin, director of the Delaware River Basin Commission's Estuary Toxics Management Program, has taken on additional responsibilities as head of the commission's Modeling and Monitoring Branch.

Dr. Fikslin joined the commission in March of 1989 on loan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He became a fulltime employee in 1993.

A graduate of Upsala College, he holds a masters degree in biological sciences from the University of Delaware and a Ph.D in ecology from Rutgers University. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Ocean County College.

Dr. Fikslin resides in Toms River, N. J., with his wife and daughter.

***

Mr. Albert Promoted

10 Jan 1999

For Immediate Release

January 10, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - Richard C. Albert, a supervising engineer with the Delaware River Basin Commission, has been promoted to the newly-created position of Basin Planner.

Mr. Albert has spent 27 years in the field of water resource management, serving as project leader on numerous scientific and policy-related studies.

He is the author of Damming the Delaware, The Rise and Fall of Tocks Island Dam (Penn State University Press), and numerous publications about water quality management and the history of the Delaware River.

A graduate of Otterbein College where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology, Mr. Albert also holds a M.S. degree in environmental science and engineering from Virginia Tech.

Married with two children, he resides in the West Trenton section of Ewing Township, N.J.

***

DRBC: Drought Emergency Looms

05 Jan 1999

For Immediate Release

January 5, 1999

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin Commission declared a conditional drought emergency today to address a prolonged water shortage, brought on by a dogged dry spell that has carried over into the new year.

The emergency automatically will kick in if declining storage in three huge water supply reservoirs drops into a "drought zone" and remains there for five consecutive days. It is projected that this could occur near the end of the month.

The Commission took the action here following a public hearing, that is required by law as a preface to any drought emergency declaration.

It adopted conservation orders which will be activated if the dry weather persists and worsening hydrologic conditions trigger the emergency.

Two of the orders call for the marshalling of water supplies in state, federal, and power company reservoirs in order to conserve storage and coordinate releases from the impoundments to help bolster streamflows.

A third order calls for major, self-supplied water users in the basin to prepare drought contingency plans for water curtailment, should it become necessary, and submit them to the Commission.

The fourth conservation order restricts non-essential water use in the basin, including:

the watering of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs or other outdoor plants except commercially grown food crops and sod, and nursery stock at nurseries or retail outlets;
the use of water for washing paved surfaces such as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts, and patios;
watering any portion of golf courses except for tees and greens;
the use of water for ornamental purposes, including fountains, artificial water falls, and reflecting pools;
the washing of non-emergency vehicles except by businesses engaged exclusively in car washing;
the use of water from a fire hydrant for any purpose (including the use of sprinkler caps) except for fire fighting, or health protection purposes;
the use of water for flushing sewers or hydrants except as deemed necessary in the interest of public health and safety;
the serving of water in restaurants, clubs, or eating places unless specifically requested by a customer.

The drought declaration, if effected, also would trigger further reductions in water diversions from the basin to New York City and New Jersey.

The DRBC's drought plan is tied to the storage in three reservoirs in the Catskill Mountain region of New York State.

In a normal year, combined storage in those impoundments would be increasing during the late fall and winter months. In a healthy hydrologic cycle, the reservoirs would be spilling by late spring.

Last year, however, storage fell by 77.6 billion gallons from October 1 through December 31 and is continuing to decline.

Flows in the Delaware River and tributary streams also have been far below normal going back to mid-July. In the Delaware, flows, as recorded at Trenton during November and December, averaged 2,936 cubic feet per second (cfs), compared to normal flows for that two-month span of 10,752 cfs.

A first stage drought warning was triggered in the Delaware River Basin on December 14 as storage in the three Catskill Mountain impoundments, which are owned by New York City, dipped to unseasonably low levels.

New York, which lies outside the basin, draws roughly half its water via aqueducts from its three reservoirs - Pepacton, Neversink and Cannonsville. These impoundments account for about 75 percent of the total surface water storage in the basin.

New Jersey diverts water out of the Delaware Basin, or watershed, through the Delaware and Raritan Canal, which feeds off the Delaware River north of Trenton and joins the Raritan River near New Brunswick.

Under an agreement reached with New York City on November 21, the first conservation measures kicked in: diversions from the city's reservoirs were reduced by 15 percent and releases from the reservoirs into the Delaware River also were throttled back.

Under normal hydrologic conditions, New York can withdraw up to 800 million gallons a day (mgd) from the reservoirs. In return, it must release sufficient water into the Delaware to meet a downstream flow target of 1,750 cfs at Montague, N.J., located just downstream of Port Jervis, N.Y. In addition, the DRBC directs releases from two lower basin reservoirs to maintain a flow target of 3,000 cfs at Trenton.

Under the November 21 agreement with the city, the flow targets were reduced to 1,655 cfs at Montague and 2,700 cfs at Trenton, and New York's authorized take from its reservoirs was cut to 680 mgd.

When the basin entered the first stage of drought warning on December 14, the water diversion from the Delaware River to northern New Jersey through the D&R Canal was reduced from 100 mgd to 85 mgd.

A second stage drought warning kicked in on December 23 and the diversions were further reduced: New York City dropped from 680 mgd to 560 mgd; New Jersey from 85 mgd to 70 mgd; and the Montague streamflow target was lowered from 1,655 cfs to 1,550 cfs.

Today's drought emergency declaration, if activated by declining reservoir storage, would trigger further reductions: New York City's allowable take would fall to 520 mgd; New Jersey to 65 mgd; the Montague flow target to 1,350 cfs; and the Trenton target to 2,500 cfs.

The lack of rain that began in mid-July has not only impacted reservoir storage and streamflows, but has caused significant decreases in ground water levels throughout the basin, which drains portions of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York.

A precipitation deficit of over eight inches exists in the upper basin (above Montague) going back to July 1. In the Philadelphia region, the deficit for the same period is around 12 inches.

With water supplies deteriorating, the Commission continues its call for wise use of water by the basin's 7.3 million citizens. It is asking residents to voluntarily curb non-essential water use, offering these water saving tips:

take shorter showers;
run dish washers and washing machines only when full;
don't let the water run when shaving or brushing your teeth;
repair leaks (A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day.);
take your vehicle to a car wash that recycles its water.

The DRBC's drought operating plan focuses on the use of reservoir releases to control salinity intrusion - the upstream migration of salty water from the Delaware Bay during low-flow conditions in basin rivers and streams.

The salt-laced water, known in water jargon as the "salt front," is defined as the seven-day average 250 milligram per liter chloride concentration. Since August 1 of last year the salty water has moved 15 miles upstream and now is located at River Mile 85, about three miles upstream of Chester, Pa., and about 14 miles above its average location for this time of year.

As the front moves upriver it increases corrosion control costs for surface water users, particularly industry, and has the potential of raising sodium levels in a large aquifer underlying southern New Jersey which is used for municipal water supply. The aquifer is recharged in part by the river.

In recent dry years, salty water also has migrated into streams and creeks in Delaware, threatening water supplies in northern New Castle County.

The conditional action taken by the Commission today applies to all areas within the basin with the exception of Cumberland and Cape May counties in New Jersey, and the area below the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Delaware. These portions of the basin are exempted because their water usage has little or no impact on salinity intrusion.

The DRBC's drought operating plan, as previously noted, is tied to the combined storage levels in the three New York City reservoirs. As of today, combined storage was 98 billion gallons or 36 percent of the reservoirs' 271 billion gallon capacity. Normal storage for this time of year is 193 billion gallons or 71 percent of capacity.

The basin has now entered into drought emergency four times, including the record drought of the 1960s. In 1981, a drought emergency kicked in on January 15 of that year, and in 1985 a drought emergency was declared on May 13.

In addition to releases from the three New York City reservoirs, close to five billion gallons of water have been evacuated since last summer from Beltzville Reservoir on the Lehigh River and Blue Marsh Reservoir on the Schuylkill River to improve flows, enhance water quality, and protect fisheries.

And, with drought conditions persisting, a consortium of seven electric utilities in the basin are required, when flows drop below 3,000 cfs at Trenton, to direct releases from Merrill Creek Reservoir to make up for evaporative losses at their riverbank generating stations. To date, 666 million gallons of water have been released into the Delaware from the 16-billion gallon impoundment, located near Phillipsburg, N.J.

Drought conditions also are being experienced elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Ridge declared a drought emergency on December 16 for 12 counties located west of the Delaware River Basin. Another 52 counties were under a drought warning and three under a drought watch.

In New Jersey, seven northern tier counties were placed under a drought warning on December 14.

The drought plans in the four basin states were adopted in 1983 at the direction of the DRBC as part of its newly established water conservation program, which recognized the need to reduce the demand side of water supply during water shortages.

While the DRBC's plan applies only to the basin and is tied solely to storage in the New York City reservoirs and at times to the location of the "salt front," the state plans have multiple drought triggers -- incorporating the Commission's operating procedures as they relate to reservoir levels, and looking at additional parameters like precipitation deficits, streamflows, and ground water levels.

The DRBC is responsible for managing the water resources in the 13,539 square-mile basin, which stretches some 330 miles from the Delaware River's headwaters in New York State to the mouth of the Delaware Bay.

The commissioners are the governors of the four basin states and a federal representative appointed by the President.

The following counties in Pennsylvania fall entirely within the Delaware River Basin:

Bucks, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Pike.

Pennsylvania counties that fall partially within the basin: Berks (99%), Carbon (99%), Chester (80%), Lackawanna (9%), Lancaster (1%), Lebanon (5%), Luzerne (10%), Schuylkill (43%), and Wayne (96%).

The following New Jersey counties fall entirely within the basin: Cumberland, Salem and Warren.

There are no counties in New York State or Delaware that are completely in the basin.

New York counties partially in the basin: Broome (2%), Chenango (1%), Delaware (85%), Greene (2%), Orange (15%), Schoharie (1%), Sullivan (95%), and Ulster (15%).

Delaware counties partially in the basin: Kent (65%), New Castle (90%), and Sussex (20%).

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Resolution 1999-1 Declaring Conditional Drought Emergency (pdf 50 KB)

Resolution 1999-2 Conservation Order Number One (pdf 45 KB)

Resolution 1999-3 Conservation Order Number Two (pdf 45 KB)

Resolution 1999-4 Conservation Order Number Three (pdf 43 KB)

Resolution 1999-5 Conservation Order Number Four (pdf 44 KB)

***

Editors and News Directors: visit the Commission's "Drought Center" on its web site (www.state.nj.us/drbc/) for daily updates on drought conditions and other drought related material.

Features include:

water saving tips;
streamflow and reservoir storage figures with graphs depicting the storage in relationship to the DRBC's drought triggers. (The data are upgraded daily and the graphs can be downloaded and used as fresh illustrations for newspaper and TV copy.);
monthly hydrologic summary reports;
basin state drought links;
precipitation data;
descriptions of the DRBC's drought warning and drought emergency operating criteria;
DRBC drought news releases;
a list of the communities located within the basin, a valuable tool to use in localizing your stories.

***

DRBC: Drought Conditions Worsen

23 Dec 1998

For Immediate Release

December 23, 1998

(WEST TRENTON, N.J.) - The Delaware River Basin entered the second stage of drought warning today as storage levels in three major water supply reservoirs located at the Delaware River's headwaters continued to decline.

Under the Delaware River Basin Commission's (DRBC's) drought operating plan, out-of-basin water diversions to New York City and New Jersey were cut back an additional 15 percent and the amount of water released from the three reservoirs into the Delaware River also was further reduced in an effort to stretch existing supplies.

A first stage drought warning was triggered in the basin on December 14 as storage in the three impoundments, which are owned by New York City, dipped to unseasonably low levels. The Commission called on the basin's seven million residents to voluntarily curb non-essential water use. It renewed that call today, emphasizing that water conservation combined with an increase in precipitation could stall or hopefully even prevent a drought emergency.

New York City, which lies outside the basin, draws roughly half its water via aqueducts from its three reservoirs, located in New York State's Catskill Mountains. These impoundments account for about 75 percent of the total surface water storage in the basin.

Under normal hydrologic conditions, New York can withdraw up to 800 mgd from the reservoirs - Neversink, Pepacton and Cannonsville. In return, it must release sufficient water into the Delaware to meet a downstream flow target of 1,750 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Montague, N.J., located just downstream of Port Jervis, N.Y. In addition, the DRBC directs releases from two lower basin reservoirs to maintain a flow target of 3,000 cfs at Trenton.

Under the November 21 agreement with the city, the flow targets were reduced to 1,655 cfs at Montague and 2,700 cfs at Trenton and New York's authorized take from its reservoirs was cut to 680 mgd.

When the basin entered the first stage of drought warning on December 14, the water diversion from the Delaware River to northern New Jersey through the D&R Canal was reduced from 100 mgd to 85 mgd.

With the basin now in the second stage of drought warning, New York City's diversion has been reduced from 680 mgd to 560 mgd; New Jersey from 85 mgd to 70 mgd; and Montague streamflow target has dropped from 1,655 cfs to 1,550 cfs.

Recognizing that reservoir storage is declining at a sharp clip, the Commission, as required by law, has scheduled a public hearing for January 5, 1999, to receive input regarding a possible drought emergency declaration. Following the hearing, the five DRBC commissioners are expected to discuss possible mandatory water conservation actions. These actions could kick in immediately, or take effect when reservoir storage drops into the drought emergency zone and remains there for five consecutive days -- predicted now to occur in mid-January if the dry weather persists.

The public hearing is to begin at 10 a.m. in the Goddard Conference Room of the Commission's offices at 25 State Police Drive, West Trenton, N.J.

The Commission also will be notifying large, self-supplied water users in the basin to conduct water audits and prepare drought contingency plans.

The lack of rain that began in mid-July has not only impacted reservoir storage, but has caused significant decreases in streamflows and ground water levels throughout the basin, which drains portions of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and New York. There is a seven-and-a-half inch rainfall deficit in the upper basin (above Montague) going back to July 1. In the Philadelphia region, the deficit for the same period is over 12 inches.

In renewing its call for water conservation, the DRBC is asking residents to voluntarily curb non-essential water use, offering these water saving tips:

take shorter showers;
run dish washers and washing machines only when full;
don't let the water run when shaving or brushing your teeth;
repair leaks (A leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day.);
take your vehicle to a car wash that recycles its water.

"It's essential that we cut back on the demand side and stretch existing water supplies as far as possible," notes Carol R. Collier, the DRBC's executive director. "We can easily conserve on things like prolonged 'teenage showers' and using water guzzling toilets as trash receptacles -- habits we should break immediately and let become part of our permanent lifestyles."

The salt-laced water, known in water jargon as the "salt front," is defined as the seven-day average 250 milligram per liter chloride concentration. Since August 1 of this year the salty water has moved 15 miles upstream and now is located at River Mile 85, about one mile upstream of Chester, Pa., and about eleven miles above its average location for December.

In recent dry years, salty water also has migrated into streams and creeks in Delaware, threatening water supplies in northern New Castle County.

The stage two drought warning issued by the Commission today is the second step in its drought management plan. Should conditions worsen and a drought emergency be declared, mandatory water-use restrictions would most likely be imposed with a goal of reducing consumptive water use by 15 percent. The out-of-basin diversions by New York City and New Jersey also would be further reduced, as would the Montague and Trenton flow targets.

The drought warning and drought emergency triggers are tied to the combined storage levels in the three New York City reservoirs. As of today, combined storage was 101 billion gallons or 37 percent of the reservoirs' 271 billion gallon capacity. Normal storage for this time of year is 183 billion gallons or 67 percent of capacity.

In addition to releases from the three New York City reservoirs, over four billion gallons of water have been evacuated this summer and fall from Beltzville Reservoir on the Lehigh River and Blue Marsh Reservoir on the Schuylkill River to improve flows, enhance water quality, and protect fisheries.

And, with the drought warning now in effect, a consortium of seven electric utilities in the basin are required, when flows drop below 3,000 cfs at Trenton, to direct releases from Merrill Creek Reservoir to make up for evaporative losses at their riverbank generating stations. To date, 267 million gallons of water have been released into the Delaware from the 16-billion gallon impoundment, located near Phillipsburg, N.J.

Drought conditions also are being experienced elsewhere in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

In New Jersey, seven northern tier counties were placed under a drought warning on December 14. "Over the past five months our rainfall deficit has grown to more than ten inches," Bob Shinn, commissioner of the state's Department of Environmental Protection, noted at the time. "This is about 50 percent of the average and the situation is not improving."

The drought plans in the four basin states were adopted in 1983 at the direction of the DRBC as part of its newly established water conservation program which recognized the need to reduce the demand side of water supply during water shortages.