New Jersey to Fully Fund Delaware River Basin Commission in 2022 Budget

(TRENTON, NJ) – For the first time since 2013, New Jersey’s legislative budget and the Governor’s proposed budget honors the state’s full, “fair share” commitment for the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) in the amount of $893,000.

Advocating for the restoration of New Jersey’s full contribution to the Delaware River Basin Commission has long been a priority of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, a network of more than 160 nonpartisan organizations, 36 in NJ, working to protect and restore the 4-state region of New Jersey, New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

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 Americans, ― 2.6 million in New Jersey alone―including the residents of Trenton and Camden.

In 1988, the Commission members reached an agreement to appropriate funding contributions as follows:

Delaware: 12.5%, $447,000

Pennsylvania: 25%, $893,000

New Jersey: 25%, $893,000

New York: 17.5%, $626,000

Federal Government: 20%, $715,000

Although New Jersey is responsible for 25% of total Commission funding, it’s fallen $200,000 short of its commitment in recent years. New York and Pennsylvania have also been consistent in underfunding the Commission. Governor Murphy’s leadership and the legislature’s prioritization of the agency is welcome news, particularly at a time when mitigating sea level rise along the sensitive Delaware Bay region is needed most. Continued lack of funding is detrimental to the Commission’s progress on climate change research and planning for its impacts. The state of Delaware has consistently honored their fiscal commitment to the Commission throughout the last 10 years.

Restoring the Commission’s funding in all four states would allow the agency to hire the staff it needs to secure our water resources for generations to come. The Delaware River watershed stimulates a robust outdoor recreational economy, home to a world class wild trout fishery and scenic kayaking and hiking. The watershed supports 62,000 jobs and $1.3 billion in wages in New Jersey alone. These jobs rely on public access, wildlife, and recreational opportunities.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, 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.”

“New Jersey honoring their funding commitment to the Delaware River Basin Commission is an excellent step forward. The Commission’s research and watershed planning activities are necessary to bolster resilience in the face of our climate crisis,” said Sandra Meola, Director, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. “Coalition partners will continue urging lawmakers in New York and Pennsylvania to follow New Jersey and Delaware’s leadership in prioritizing the invaluable work of the Commission.”

The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed protects and restores the land and waters in the Delaware River Basin. We amplify the collective power of 160+ member organizations and other stakeholders as we advocate for a healthy and protected watershed with an inclusive, unified voice. The Coalition convenes member and non-member organizations, builds capacity, coordinates communications, and advances policy at the federal and state levels.

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