Gov. Tom Wolf signed Pennsylvania’s 2023 budget into law July 8, notably falling short of the Commonwealth’s commitment to fully fund the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). Despite the Governor’s initial budget proposal to fully fund the DRBC with more than the $893,000 that the commonwealth agreed to, negotiations cut funding to $217,000, the same level that Pennsylvania has been funding the commission at since 2014.
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, which comprises over 175 non-profit organizations, has long been advocating for the restoration of full share funding to the DRBC. The Commission’s creation was the first time in our nation’s history that the federal government and a group of states joined together as equal partners on a regional body with the force of law to oversee a unified approach to managing a river system without regard to political boundaries. The Commission monitors water quality, conducts comprehensive resource planning, and manages drinking water supplies for over 13.3 million people, including nearly 5.6 million people in Pennsylvania who live in the basin.
Providing the commission with its proper funding would support the Delaware River Watershed which provides for a robust outdoor recreational economy and a crucial clean drinking water supply. The watershed additionally contributes more than $8 billion in annual economic activity in Pennsylvania alone.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, and Delaware Gov. John Carney joined together in Philadelphia in May 2019 to sign a proclamation declaring their renewed commitment to improving the Delaware River watershed – funding the commission was cited as an immediate action step. The proclamation recognized “the advantage of working together to make the Delaware River Basin the national model for sustainable economic development, drinkable clean water, healthy fish and wildlife populations, outdoor recreation, and nature-based climate resilience.”
“Full share funding to the Delaware River Basin Commission from each of the basin states is a major priority of the coalition because the commission is a key player in the proper management of the watershed. With full support of all the basin states, the DRBC would have the staffing and programming support necessary to effectively monitor water quality and make informed decisions on river flow management,” said Kelly Knutson, director, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. “While we are disappointed that Pennsylvania only funded the commission at $217,000, our coalition will continue to work with Pennsylvania partners to highlight the importance of the DRBC to the watershed and the communities within it.
The nonprofit Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed is located at 118 W State St., Trenton N.J., 609-427-3007.
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