Mid-Atlantic River Basins

The Northeast-Midwest Institute analyzes and distributes information on interstate watershed management issues within the Delaware and the Chesapeake Bay watershed which includes the Potomac and Susquehanna river basins. Staff also organize briefings on Capitol Hill and track basin-related projects and appropriations. To advance these efforts, Institute staff work closely with the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). Institute staff work with the members of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, as well as members of the Delaware River Basin Task Force:

*There were various rescissions taken at a sub-committee level in the FY08 Omnibus Appropriations bill. These rescissions are reflected in the table above. These rescissions included, 1.56% cut to all activities in the Interior bill (EPA, USFWS), 1.6% cut to congressionally directed projects and activities in the Energy and Water Bill (COE), and 0% cut to the Commerce, Justice, Science bill (NOAA).

^The Delaware Watershed Grants program is a new request in fiscal year 2009. This new project request under the EPA Geographic Programs section of the Interior appropriations bill would provide $1m for a competitive grants program to restore the Delaware Watershed in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. Currently the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation administers a Delaware Estuary Grants program with support from the private sector and other federal partners. The program provides grants to local organizations to protect and improve watersheds in the Delaware Estuary and build citizen-based resource stewardship in the region. Dedicated funding through EPA would leverage the $735,000 already committed to the region for 2008.

^^ The Coastal Program and Partners for Fish and Wildlife are included under the Habitat Conservation Program in Fish and Wildlife Service under the Presidents FY 2009 budget.
Please note: The President's budget dictates that the Landowner Incentive Program and Private Stewardship Grants program, both under Interior, are phased out in 2008.

Briefing on Mid-Atlantic River Basin Flooding:
Assessment, Response, and Mitigation -- July 27, 2006

Location: 2203 Rayburn House Office Building, Government Reform Committee Room

In a busy week before the House’s summer recess, about forty people, including Representative Rush Holt (NJ – 12^th), a Delaware River Basin Task Force Co-Chair; staffers from fifteen Representative’s offices; and a staffer from the Science Committee attended a briefing on recent flooding in the Mid-Atlantic region. Representative Holt spoke at the beginning of the briefing about the to understand the causes of the June flooding events to mitigate future flood losses.

Peter Ahnert of the National Weather Service indicated that heavy rainfall, up to fifteen inches in some regions, was the result of a tropical air mass that stalled over the region from June 22^nd through June 28^th. Areas in eastern Pennsylvania and New York State He noted that with this year’s above-average tropical activity, similar to 2004 and 2005 which were years of regional flooding, there is the potential for such events to occur again. Despite some streamgages (link to USGS report on streamgages) that measure water flow being overtopped by flood waters, the National Weather Service was able to offer accurate predictions for flash floods and main-stem river floods with sufficient notice for emergency preparation.

In a river basin that has flood losses averaging $150 million annually, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission estimated that over $950 million was saved as the result of federal flood mitigation projects. The Susquehanna River Basin, unlike the Delaware River Basin, has several structural flood controls including flood water retention reservoirs, levees, and an upgraded flood forecasting system, the Susquehanna River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning System. The Delaware River Basin, the longest free-flowing river in the East, has two flood water control reservoirs on Pennsylvania tributaries, as well was drinking water supply reservoirs in the New York headwaters region. Carol Collier of the Delaware River Basin Commission indicated that these drinking water reservoirs, which are regulated by a Supreme Court decision managing water allocations between the Delaware Basin and New York City’s drinking water supply, were not designed to retain flood waters, yet the reservoirs held back some of the flood waters.

Agreeing with the River Basin Commissions, the Delaware River Keeper, Maya von Rossum, state that one of the most effective ways to mitigate flood damages is to offer home and business owners in flood-prone communities voluntary federal buyouts to relocate their residences and businesses. The first step, she said, is to improve and update the local level information given to home buyers, businesses, and builders concerning flood plain designations. Most of the floodplain maps are outdated, and current 100-year and 500-year flood designations have been exceeded by recent storms and flood events. The River Keeper indicated that long-term mitigation strategies should incorporate riparian buffers, flood plain restoration, and structure removal from flood-prone areas, which are the least costly option for maintenance and because they leverage the natural sponge-like water retention ability of the landscape.

One of the questions asked by a staffer focused on how to overcome the devolution of planning authority to local municipalities, specifically the traditional “home rule” in Pennsylvania, and how uncoordinated local-level efforts frustrate flood mitigation planning efforts. Larry Larson of the Association of State Flood Plain Managers, and the Delaware River Keeper, both indicated that is why a federal flood mitigation incentive is needed for states and or municipalities. They said that while flood insurance and FEMA incentives are in place, they have not been sufficient to mitigate flood-related damages or prevent the loss of life.

The Associated Press reported on this event. A copy of the article filed in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York media markets can be viewed here.

Policy Opportunities in the Delaware River Basin:
Stakeholder Meeting in Trenton, NJ – April 18, 2006

Location: New Jersey Coalition of Affordable Housing and Environmental Quality, Trenton, NJ

Dan Wrinn, Policy Analyst – River Basins
Alan Hunt, Policy Analyst – Agriculture

Themes at the New Jersey meeting included the development of federal agriculture programs that are more targeted to the needs of the region and improving farmer practices so as to reduce water quality impacts, open space and how the Highlands Act and other programs directed at private landowners can help preserve landscapes, and recent flooding events in the Delaware River Watershed.

In general, open-space and flooding were of paramount concern for federal policy.

Participants identified some federal policies as contributing to the health of the watershed including the Highlands Act, the federal Forest Legacy Program public/private partnerships, the Urban and Community forestry program’s focus on wildlife habitat quality in suburban communities, and the recent Wild and Scenic designation of the Musconetcong River, a major effort for some of the organizations present.

In the discussion, participants also identified that the public has a fragmented view of the Delaware River based upon greater identification with tributaries or specific recreational activities. The geographic identify of the resource varies, ranging from the Upper Delaware, the Delaware Bay, Delaware Valley, or major tributaries. Many felt the community’s vision of the whole watershed was limited by their experiences of the Delaware through isolated interactions with gateway river towns or a recreational experience on a river segment, such as tubing or shad fishing. Some suggested that with greater collaboration between organizations that they would be able to identify the primary resource to motivate the public and other groups. Whether the resource is the Delaware Valley “foodshed”, oysters as a heritage food, or the migratory shad, this visioning process should be accomplished prior to major outreach efforts.

Regional Approaches to Federal Policy: Opportunities for the Delaware River Basin? -- Stakeholder Meeting in Doylestown, PA -- June 9, 2006

Peter Marx, Policy Fellow – Chesapeake Bay
Alan Hunt, Policy Analyst – Agriculture
Sheara Cohen, Research Fellow

The discussion at the meeting in Pennsylvania echoed the earlier New Jersey meeting with many of the participants identifying local and regional planning decisions can have impacts that contribute to major flooding events in the Delaware River Watershed. Structural control methods were seen as beneficial, but limited in their effectiveness because run-off models and projections used to construct those controls are based upon outdated rainfall and flow data. It was noted that often physical structures have ecological impacts that are counterproductive to the goals of ecological restoration, flood plain protection, and habitat improvement. However, structural controls have been successful is in managing the water quantity in the Delaware River Watershed. Many participants felt that at some point the finite water supply and seemingly unlimited growth would have to be reconciled through better, more comprehensive planning and political will.

The Delaware River Basin Commission has contributed to water resource planning, by establishing a 30-year management plan for water resources within its authority. This plan was a significant factor for $1million of federal funding being allocated to the Philadelphia region Army Corps. It was noted that, similarly, a prerequisite for Congressional funding are well-organized stakeholder efforts because resulting plans signal to Congress that allocated monies will be used responsibly.

Based upon questions raised in the New Jersey meeting about what exactly the “charismatic” or identifiable resource is in the Delaware River Watershed, the group at the Pennsylvania meeting identified the main stem of the Delaware River as the primary resource. Within this resource, public concerns center on use values, primarily drinking water quantity and quality, and secondarily, recreation such as tubing and fishing.

New Delaware River Task Force

On October 25, 2005, Representative Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA-8th), working cooperatively with the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Delaware River Basin Commission, continued his leadership in addressing environmental concerns impacting the Delaware River by launching a reinvigorated Delaware River Basin Task Force. In his press release the freshman lawmaker, who represents Bucks County and sections of Montgomery County and Philadelphia, stated, "Nearly 15 million people live along and rely upon the waters of the Delaware River. Continued flooding and erosion along the river's banks is a cause of great concern not only for property owners, but for the future of our region. This task force will focus on solutions to these problems both legislatively as well as through the private sector." One of the goals of the Task Force will be to promote the health and well-being of the entire watershed by organizing educational briefings, formulating joint responses to emergencies, coordinating legislative efforts, tracking legislation and the appropriations process, as well as promoting other initiatives beneficial to the Delaware River and the people and wildlife resources that depend on it. Serving along with Representative Fitzpatrick as co-chairs will be Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-New York), Representative Jim Gerlach (R-PA), and Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ). Click here for the Task Force's mission statement.

Regional Water Resource Challenges: Problems, Resources, and Legislative Opportunities
March 13, 2002 (8:30-10:30am, Mansfield Room (S207) in the US Capitol)
Cosponsored by the Northeast-Midwest Institute, Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalitions, Delaware River Basin Commission, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, and Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Douglas Le Comte, Senior Meteorologist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center is tracking drought conditions nationwide, with a focus on the eastern United States, and has mapped current drought conditions and the drought outlook through June 2002 and issued a press release on the drought status. Additional drought information can be found at NOAA's Drought Information Center.

Robert Hirsch, Associate Director for Water, US Geological Survey The USGS also is tracking drought conditions nationwide, with a focus on the eastern United States. Their Water Watch web site features a map generated by real-time water data collected through the USGS streamgage network, and the map highlights persistent dry conditions on the east coast.

Carol Collier, Executive Director, Delaware River Basin Commission
Joe Hoffman, Executive Director, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin
Paul Swartz, Executive Director, Susquehanna River Basin Commission
Representatives from each of the interstate commissions discussed the implications of low water levels as summer approaches and water resource management options should conditions worsen.

Tim Williams, Director of Government Affairs, Water Environment Federation WEF is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with members from varied disciplines who work toward the WEF vision of preservation and enhancement of the global water environment. Their Government Affairs office tracks legislative actions and regulatory issues and researches water quality issues.

Moderated by Allen Hance, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Northeast Midwest Institute. The summit closed with a discussion of the Northeast-Midwest Institute's policy recommendations for watershed management in the Mid-Atlantic.