July 2020

DRBC: A Model Framework

DRBC was formed in response to

major water resource challenges

requiring regional solutions, and

to this day is a successful model

for federal-state collaboration.

DRBC is an effective forum for

managing the basin’s interstate

water resources holistically and

adaptively.

In its 50+ years, DRBC has

achieved many noteworthy

accomplishments, including:

DRBC regulations helped

dramatically improve dissolved

oxygen levels in the Delaware

Estuary, allowing for resident

and migratory fish populations to

thrive;

DRBC’s Special Protection Waters

program protects the existing

high quality waters of the river’s

non-tidal watershed;

DRBC’s Pollutant Minimization

Plan regulations have helped to

significantly reduce PCB loadings

to the river;

DRBC has been recognized for its

comprehensive water

conservation, drought

management, and watershed

planning programs.

Delaware River Basin Commission

25 Cosey Road, P.O. Box 7360

West Trenton, NJ 08628

www.drbc.gov

Delaware River Basin Commission: Managing, Protecting & Improving the Basin’s Water Resources Since 1961

A breakthrough in water resources

management occurred in 1961

when President Kennedy and the

governors of Pennsylvania, New

Jersey, New York, and Delaware for

the first time signed concurrent

compact legislation into law creating

a regional body with the force of law

to oversee a unified approach to

managing a river system without

regard to political boundaries.

The members of this regional body -- the Delaware River Basin Commission

(DRBC) -- include the four basin state governors and the Commander of the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division, who serves as the federal

representative. The five members appoint alternate commissioners, with the

governors selecting high-ranking officials from their state environmental

agencies. Each commissioner has one vote of equal power with a majority vote

needed to decide most issues. Exceptions are votes to apportion among the

signatory parties amounts required to support the current expense budget and

votes to declare a state of emergency resulting from a drought or catastrophe,

which require unanimity.

Commission programs include water quality protection, water supply

allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, watershed

planning, drought management, flood loss reduction, education/outreach, and

recreation. The DRBC is funded by its signatory parties, project review fees,

water use charges, compliance revenues, and grants.

Annual elections are held for commission chair, vice chair, and second vice

chair, based on a rotation of the five signatory parties. Delaware Governor

John Carney is currently serving as chair for the July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021

term. The other commission members are Federal Representative Brigadier

General Thomas J. Tickner (vice chair), Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf

(second vice chair), New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy, and New York

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.

The commission holds business meetings and hearings on policy matters and

water resource projects under regulatory review. These sessions, along with

meetings of the commission’s advisory committees, are open to the public.

White House ceremonial signing of the

Delaware River Basin Compact, Nov. 2, 1961.

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MonroeMonroe

BurlingtonBurlington

GreeneGreene

MorrisMorris

LancasterLancaster

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SchuylkillSchuylkill

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LehighLehigh

WarrenWarren

MonmouthMonmouth

HunterdonHunterdon

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Delaware River

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN

U N I T E D S T AT E S O F A M E R I C A

N E W J E R S E YN E W Y O R K

D E L A WA R EP E N N S Y LVA N I A

Delaware River Basin Commission

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