2 0 1 2 ANNUAL REPORT DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION The Delaware River Basin Commission DRBC( ) is a federal-interstate agency created in 1961 by compact 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 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 Delaware is the longest un-dammed river in the United States east of the Mississippi, extending 330 miles from the confluence of its East and West branches at Hancock, N.Y. to the mouth of the where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. In all, the Delaware River Basin (DRB) contains 13,539 square miles, draining parts of Pennsylvania, , New York, and Delaware. Over 15 million people (approximately five percent of the nation’s population) rely on the waters of the DRB for multiple uses, but the watershed drains only four-tenths of one percent of the total continental U.S. land area. The population served byDRB water includes about 8.3 million basin residents as well as over seven million people in the area and northern New Jersey who live outside the basin. New York City gets roughly half its water from three large reservoirs located on tributaries to the Delaware.

This publication, which covers calendar year2012 , was compiled and edited by DRBC Communications Manager Clarke Rupert and created by DRBC Graphic Designer Susan Owens. Numerous commission staff provided valuable assistance. It is available on the commission’s web site at www.drbc.net. Copies are available upon request by contacting the DRBC (P.O. Box 7360, West Trenton, NJ 08628; 609-883-9500; [email protected]).

Delaware River Basin Commission Cover photos: Fireworks over the Delaware River at Narrowsburg, N.Y. and an October view from the DELAWARE NEW JERSEY PENNSYLVANIA NEW YORK Lackawaxen River Fishing Access area. The Lackawaxen is one of the Delaware River’s 216 tributaries. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Both photos are courtesy of David B. Soete. This photo of a bald eagle on the Delaware River near Narrowsburg, N.Y. was taken by David B. Soete in September 2006. Additional information about Dave can be found under Basin News Briefs on page 13.

Contents

Signatory Members ...... 2 Pennsylvania New York Federal Government New Jersey Delaware Commission Officers Commission Staff...... 4 Annual Hydrologic Conditions Summary ...... 5 Water Quality Updates October 2012 PMP Workshop . 9 Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the Tidal Delaware River: Pilot Monitoring Survey 2007-2009 ...... 9 Neversink Watershed WQ Monitoring...... 10 Paulsboro, N.J. Train Derailment and Chemical Spill. 10 Assessment of Metals in Estuarine Waters . 11 Fish Tissue Monitoring . 11 Delaware River and Bay Water Quality Assessment Report ...... 11 Basin News Briefs Large Blooms of “Rock Snot” Discovered in the Delaware River . . . . . 12 Report on Delaware Estuary and Basin Environmental Conditions . . . . 12 Natural Gas Update . 13 Changes to Partner Agency Staff. 13 IWRSS Forum With Basin Stakeholders Convened at DRBC ...... 14 Basin Plan Progress Report Highlights Stakeholder Projects...... 14 Award Recognizes Efforts to Enhance Flood Warning in Basin...... 15 WaterSMART Study in DRB Underway . 15 Another Round of Grants to Improve the Schuylkill Watershed . . . . . 16 18th Annual Delaware River Sojourn...... 16 New Web Site Launched ...... 17 Executive Director Speaks at Event Unveiling New RBC Bill . 17 DRBC-Hosted Watershed Ambassador Has Another Productive Year . 18 Financial Summary ...... 19 Map of the Delaware River Basin...... 20

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 1 Signatory Members

The ex officio members of the and Executive Assistant Randal Delaware River Basin Commission (Duke) Adams (fifth alternate). include the four basin state governors and the Division Engineer New Jersey (commonly referred to as the The following state environmental PENNSYLVANIA Commander) of the U.S. Army officials continued to represent Governor Tom Corbett DEP Secretary Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Governor Chris Christie on the Michael L. Krancer Division who serves as the federal DRBC during the early weeks of representative. 2012: DEP Commissioner Bob The five members appoint Martin (alternate), Assistant alternate commissioners, with Commissioner for Water Resource the governors typically selecting Management John Plonski (second high-ranking officials from their alternate), Division of Water Quality

NEW JERSEY state environmental agencies. Each Director Michele M. Putnam commissioner has one vote of equal (third alternate), Division of Water Governor Chris Christie DEP Commissioner Bob Martin power with a majority vote needed Supply Director Fred Sickels to decide most issues. Exceptions are (fourth alternate), and Research votes on the commission’s annual Scientist Dr. Joseph A. Miri (fifth budget and drought declarations, alternate). In February, Michele which require unanimity. Siekerka was named the new Assistant Commissioner for Water Pennsylvania Resource Management, replacing NEW YORK As 2012 began, the appointed John Plonski who left DEP. The representatives of Governor governor’s representatives on the Governor Andrew M. Cuomo DEC Commissioner Joseph Martens Tom Corbett on the commission DRBC for the remainder of 2012 were continued to be Department of Commissioner Martin (alternate), Environmental Protection (DEP) Assistant Commissioner Siekerka Secretary Michael L. Krancer (second alternate), Director Sickels (alternate), Executive Deputy (third alternate), and State Geologist Secretary for Programs John T. Karl W. Muessig (fourth alternate). Hines (second alternate), Deputy DELAWARE Secretary for Water Management New York Governor Jack A. Markell DNREC Secretary Kelly Jean Heffner third( alternate), Department of Environmental Collin P. O’Mara and Charles Kirkwood (fourth Conservation Commissioner alternate). Following John Hines’ Joseph Martens (alternate), decision to leave DEP in February, Division of Water Director Mark the governor’s representatives for the Klotz (second alternate), Division remainder of 2012 were Secretary of Water Assistant Director Tom Krancer (alternate), Deputy Cullen (third alternate), and Bureau Secretary Heffner (second alternate), of Water Resource Management

UNITED STATES Director of Interstate Waters Director Angus Eaton (fourth Brigadier General Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Zemba (third alternate), alternate) continued to represent Kent D. Savre John Christian Becking Mr. Kirkwood (fourth alternate), Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on

2 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 the commission. in July 2012, thereby becoming New York City DEP the ex officio federal representative The current list of commission Commissioner Carter H. on the DRBC. Presiding over the members and their alternates can Strickland, Jr. remained the change-of-command ceremony was be viewed at www.nj.gov/drbc/ advisor to the New York State DRBC Major General Todd T. Semonite, about/commissioners/. commissioner during 2012. Deputy Commanding General of the Corps and former DRBC federal Delaware representative. Brig. Gen. Savre Planner Erik Rourke as his third The appointees named by succeeded Colonel Christopher alternate in September 2012. (Editor’s Governor Jack A. Markell to J. Larsen, who served as division note: During 2012, Brig. Gen. Savre represent him on the DRBC in 2012 commander since September 2011. held the rank of Colonel. He was remained Department of Natural The appointed alternate and second promoted to the rank of Brigadier Resources and Environmental alternate for the first half of2012 General in May 2013.) Control (DNREC) Secretary Collin were Lieutenant Colonel Philip P. O’Mara (alternate) and Division M. Secrist III (Philadelphia District Commission Officers of Water Director Kathleen M. Engineer) and David J. Leach The Delaware River Basin Stiller (second alternate). (NAD Director of Programs), Compact requires the annual respectively. Lieutenant Colonel election of a chair and vice chairs, Federal Government John Christian Becking replaced which historically has been based Brigadier General Kent D. Lt. Col. Secrist as Philadelphia upon rotation of the compact’s five Savre assumed command of the District Engineer and federal signatory parties. The following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers alternate on the DRBC in June. Brig. members served as commission North Atlantic Division (NAD) Gen. Savre appointed Strategic officers during calendar year 2012:

January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012 (one-year term began July 1, 2011)

Chair: Colonel Larsen (Federal Representative) Vice Chair: Governor Corbett (Pennsylvania) Second Vice Chair: Governor Christie (New Jersey)

July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012 (one-year term to end June 30, 2013) Chair: Governor Corbett (Pennsylvania) Vice Chair: Governor Christie (New (from left to right) Commissioner Angus Eaton (N.Y.), Commissioner Philip Secrist (U.S., chair), Commissioner Kathleen Stiller Jersey) (Del.), Commissioner Kelly Heffner (Pa.), Commissioner Michele Siekerka (N.J.), and Executive Director Carol Collier in front of Second Vice Chair: Governor the DRBC building on May 10, 2012. (Photo by Katharine Schmidt) Cuomo (New York)

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 3 Commission Staff

New Employees the Water Resources Agency­ • Jeff Iudicello – Water Resources University of Delaware and The current list of DRBC staff Engineer/Modeler; Modeling, Kevin Donnelly, a former DRBC members, including their phone Monitoring and Assessment Commissioner who is now number extensions and e-mail Branch. District Manager of the New addresses, can be viewed at Castle (Delaware) Conservation www.nj.gov/drbc/about/staff/. Staff News District. Established in 1959, the • Robert Tudor was the recipient Water Resources Association of of the Samuel S. Baxter Memorial the Delaware River Basin (WRA) last few years. Two colleagues, Award from the Water Resources is a non-profit, non-partisan Bridget Ferry and Donna Gushue, Association of the Delaware advocacy and public information passed away in November 2009 River Basin at its 30th Annual organization whose mission is to only several days apart. Staff Recognition Dinner held promote sound water resources and family members attended a in Philadelphia on April 18. management within the Delaware dedication ceremony on April 20 Bob received the award “for River Basin. Visit www.wradrb.org for this simple memorial, which his significant contributions, for more information about the was funded by the commission accomplishments, and leadership association. and staff donations. The two within the Delaware River plaques read: Basin as the Executive Deputy In Remembrance Director of the Delaware River • The commission was saddened In Memory of Bridget Ferry & Basin Commission and at the by the passing of Todd Kratzer, Donna Gushue—They touched New Jersey Department of who died in October 2012 at the our hearts with their humor Environmental Protection to age of 52. Todd had over 16 years and kindness, and left us far the standards exemplified by of service with the DRBC when he too soon. the former Philadelphia Water left in 2004 to accept a position Commissioner, Samuel S. Baxter.” with the N.J. Department of In Memory of DRBC The award was presented by Jerry Environmental Protection. He Colleagues—“The memory of a Kauffman, Project Director of most recently worked as a Senior good person is a blessing.” Watershed Protection Specialist for the N.J. Water Supply Authority. • A bench has been placed outside the southeast corner of the DRBC building, accompanied by dedication plaques and the planting of a dogwood tree, to Bob Tudor (second from right) receiving the Samuel S. Baxter Memorial Award in honor commission April 2012. Pictured here with him (from left to right) are Kevin Donnelly, WRA staff members whom A dogwood tree, bench, and two plaques honor the memory Chairman Dennis Palmer, and Jerry Kauffman. (Photo courtesy of WRA) we have lost over the of former DRBC colleagues who have passed away.

4 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 Annual Hydrologic Conditions Summary

2012 Highlights counties in Pennsylvania recorded Superstorm Sandy A Dry Start water levels below the drought Sandy, the 18th named storm of Much of the Delaware River Basin emergency range (0- to 5- percentile the 2012 hurricane season and the (DRB) experienced dry conditions depth). Several other monitoring second most costly in U.S. history, and below-normal snowpack during wells in the Pennsylvania portion made landfall as a post-tropical the early months of 2012. The of the basin reported below-normal cyclone just south of Atlantic snowpack­ was of particular concern water levels in the drought watch City, N.J. on October 29. Its arrival because the water it stores is vital (10- to 25-percentile depth) and during the astronomical high tide for recharging the DRB’s rivers, drought warning (5- to 10- percentile period produced a major-to-record lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater. depth) ranges. storm surge along the entire New The snow survey conducted by In its April 17 report, the U.S. Jersey coast. As Sandy pushed the New York City Department of Drought Monitor placed the westward into Pennsylvania, the Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) majority of the DRB in the “D1 tidal sections along the Delaware on February 1 indicated less than Moderate Drought” category while River at and near Philadelphia also one billion gallons (bg) of water portions of the upper basin were experienced record water levels. storage in the snowpack above described as “D0 Abnormally Dry.” An animated graph of Delaware the Cannonsville, Pepacton, and Drought conditions in the state Estuary water surface elevations Neversink reservoirs in the upper of Delaware were more acute and responding to the storm surge can be DRB. The historical average for labeled in the “D2 Severe Drought” viewed at www.youtube.com/user/ that date is 27 bg. Water storage in category. Although the basin’s delrivbasincomm/. the snowpack increased to 13 bg hydrologic conditions improved with Heavy rain and high winds according to the March 1 NYCDEP the return of above-normal rainfall began from southeast to northwest survey, but it was still 70% below the in late May, the Drought Monitor as Sandy skimmed Delaware and historical average. reported abnormally dry to severe approached New Jersey’s shores. Up While the dry conditions in the drought conditions (the latter in the to a foot of rain fell in portions of beginning of 2012 did not trigger state of Delaware) until the arrival of and Delaware. Many DRBC or state drought declarations, Superstorm Sandy in late October. rivers rose above flood stage in these the impact on streamflow was areas, resulting in minor to moderate nonetheless significant. Below- Tropical Storm Issac flooding. To the north of the hardest normal recharge from snowpack Remnants of Tropical Storm hit areas, one to three inches of resulted in low streamflows Isaac impacted the DRB in early rain was reported and flooding was throughout the basin in late winter September 2012. Flooding did not minimal. and spring. During March and April, occur at any of the National Weather Very high wind gusts accom­ a period when streamflows should be Service’s river forecast points, but the panied Sandy, bringing down at their highest due to melting snow storm produced flash flooding on trees and utility lines that caused and spring rains, many streams and some smaller streams and localized extensive, long-term power outages. rivers were flowing at only half (or street flooding. The basin generally The strongest gusts were to the north less than half) of their normal levels. received between one and two inches and east of Sandy’s center and the Groundwater was also impacted of rainfall from this system. Locally storm hit many areas of the mid- by the dry conditions that started the higher rainfall amounts of three to Atlantic region with some of the year. By mid-spring, U.S. Geological seven inches occurred in northern highest wind gusts since Hurricane Survey (USGS) monitoring wells in Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania, and Hazel in October 1954. Gusts in Monroe, Schuylkill, and Carbon northern New Jersey. Ocean County, N.J. reached near 90

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 5 mph and many areas in the basin 97% usable capacity and 73 bg above experienced gusts of more than 50 the long-term median for that date. More detailed information mph. A dry winter with below-normal about the basin’s hydrologic snowpack available to recharge the conditions can be found on the Upper Basin Reservoir Storage reservoirs caused storage to decline DRBC web site at www.nj.gov/ The three New York City below the median by mid-April. drbc/hydrological. (NYC) Delaware Basin reservoirs— ­ Conditions improved during May Cannonsville, Pepacton, and with the return of normal to above- Neversink—­ are located in the upper normal rainfall in the upper basin. median storage for the last day of the DRB on headwater tributaries The NYC reservoirs refilled by late year. feeding the main stem Delaware May, several weeks after the normal The Office of the Delaware River River. Since the combined storage refill date of May 1. Soon after Master directed releases from the in these three reservoirs did not refilling, storage rapidly declined NYC Delaware Basin reservoirs fall below the drought watch level and dipped below the median totaling 22.3 bg during April, July, during 2012, the implementation of on June 1. Combined reservoir August, and September. These DRBC’s basinwide drought operating storage remained below the long- releases were necessary to meet the plan was not required. term median until September. On normal flow objective of1,750 cubic On January 1, 2012, the combined December 31, combined storage was feet per second (cfs) in the Delaware storage in the three NYC Delaware 223 bg, which is 82% usable capacity River at Montague as required by Basin reservoirs was 263 bg, which is and 34 bg above the long-term the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree.

300 NEW YORK CITY - DELAWARE RIVER BASIN STORAGE 2012 280 Observed

260

240

220

Normal 200 Long-term Median 180 * Drought Watch

* Drought 160 Warning Billion Gallons (BG) Gallons Billion 140 Drought

120 This graph shows the observed combined water storage in the

100 NYC-Delaware Basin reservoirs (Cannonsville, Pepacton, and

80 Neversink) during 2012, as well as the long-term median and drought

60 Storage data is provisional and provided by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Supply. rating curves. The period of record *Based on the New York State Experimental Fisheries Program, Docket D-77-20 (Rev. 4) and currently in use. represented by the long-term

40 median values is June 1967 to Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec November 1998.

2012

6 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 For comparison purposes, directed 36.8 inches in Philadelphia County, were below normal to normal during releases totaled 0.85 bg in 2011 and Pa. to 51.9 inches in Ocean County, July and August. 101 bg during the drought year 2001. N.J. Annual precipitation departures October produced the year’s from normal ranged from 7.2 inches highest monthly mean streamflow Lower Basin Reservoir Storage below normal in Philadelphia observations at many locations in Both Beltzville Reservoir (located County to 6.3 inches above normal the DRB. Flows along the Delaware on the Pohopoco Creek, a tributary in Ocean County. River at Montague and Trenton of the Lehigh River) and Blue The observed annual precipitation averaged more than double their Marsh Reservoir (located on the above Montague, N.J. was 44.17 normal and many locations along Tulpehocken Creek, a tributary of inches, or 0.91 inches above normal. the Lehigh and Schuylkill rivers the Schuylkill River) maintained Similarly, observed precipitation averaged two to three times their storage in the normal range during above Trenton, N.J. was 44.10 normal for October. Streamflow 2012. Consequently, the DRBC’s inches, or 0.79 inches below normal. observations at these select stations lower basin drought operating plan Precipitation at Wilmington, Del. remained above normal for the was not implemented. was 36.31 inches, or 6.50 inches remainder of 2012. The commission directed releases below normal. from Beltzville Reservoir during Groundwater a brief period in late summer to Streamflow The average monthly groundwater maintain the Delaware River flow Monthly mean streamflow level in eight reported USGS objective of 3,000 cfs at Trenton. observations at select stations along observation wells in the Pennsylvania DRBC-directed releases began on the Lehigh, Schuylkill, and Delaware portion of the basin began the August 28 and ended on September rivers were below normal during year above the long-term average. 4 in anticipation of rainfall from the February through April 2012. This Water levels rapidly declined to remnants of Tropical Storm Isaac. was due to the previously mentioned below average by early spring due DRBC directed a total of 0.73 bg dry winter with below-normal to below-normal precipitation during 2012. snowpack that limited recharge to and lack of snowpack. The average No releases were made from streams and rivers. monthly groundwater level remained Merrill Creek Reservoir during 2012. The lowest monthly mean flows below the long-term average until Storage in this reservoir, located near occurred during April 2012. Along rain in September and October Phillipsburg N.J., is used to replace the main stem Delaware River at recharged the monitoring wells. evaporative losses (consumptive Montague and Trenton, streamflows The improvement was short-lived use) caused by power generation averaged 30% and 33% of normal, because little rain fell in November. when the basin is under DRBC- respectively. During April 7-22, By December, the average water level declared drought operations and the new daily low flow records were set for the eight wells declined again to equivalent average daily flow target for the Delaware River at Trenton. below the long-term average. for the Delaware River at Trenton is Streamflow observations along The groundwater level in the New below 3,000 cfs. the Delaware’s largest tributaries Castle County, Del. coastal plain were also very low, averaging 35% well began the year above the normal Precipitation of normal on the Lehigh River range (greater than 75-percentile). Twenty-nine of the 38 reported at Bethlehem, Pa. and 46% of Storage declined throughout the counties within the DRB ended 2012 normal on the Schuylkill River at spring and early summer, but with below-normal precipitation for Philadelphia. Flows at these stations remained within the lower half the year. Annual totals ranged from improved during May and June, but (25- to 50-percentile) of the normal

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 7 range. By July, the groundwater level was below the normal range (less Delaware Basin States and NYC Renew Reservoir Operating Plan than 25-percentile), where it would remain until the end of 2012. New York State, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York City (NYC) unanimously The groundwater level in the agreed to a one-year extension of the current Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP), which Cumberland County, N.J. coastal will be in effect from June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013. The FFMP aims to meet water supply plain well experienced a slow decline demands, protect fisheries habitat downstream of the NYC-Delaware Basin reservoirs, assist with for the first 10 months of the year, flood mitigation, and repel the upstream movement of salt water in the Delaware Estuary. but remained within the normal Diversions and releases of water from the three city reservoirs located on headwater tributaries range (25- to 75-percentile) for feeding the Delaware River are jointly managed by the four states and NYC under the terms of 2012. Rainfall produced much of the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree that settled an interstate water dispute. The Delaware River from Superstorm Sandy increased Basin Compact creating the DRBC prohibits the commission (comprised of the four basin states and the water level to above the normal the federal government) from modifying the releases or diversions provided in the 1954 decree range by November, where it without the unanimous consent of the decree parties (four basin states and NYC). remained through the end of the The decree parties will use the additional time to further evaluate this interim reservoir year. management plan and use the experience to help guide ongoing negotiations to develop Salt Front future multi-year agreements. DRBC staff assists the Office of the Delaware River Master, which The salt front or salt line is administers the provisions of the 1954 Supreme Court Decree, to coordinate and facilitate defined as the250 parts-per-million discussion among the decree parties concerning the substance of a future FFMP. Commission (or milligram-per-liter) chloride staff members also continue to develop and use modeling tools to aid the decree parties in the concentration. The seven-day evaluation of water resources management and associated risks in the basin. average location of the salt front The FFMP renewal will continue to rely on the use of the city’s Operations Support Tool (OST) is used by DRBC as an indicator of to manage the water that is forecasted to be available in the three upper basin NYC reservoirs and salinity intrusion in the Delaware guide the selection of releases. The OST is a sophisticated monitoring and modeling system that Estuary. The salt front’s location allows for better predictions of reservoir-specific water storage levels, quality, and inflows than fluctuates along the Delaware River previous tools. The evolving OST has proven to be a very useful tool in managing the FFMP. as streamflow increases or decreases Release rates in the renewed one-year agreement are patterned after recommendations in response to changing inflows, provided in a 2010 joint fisheries paper from the New York State Department of Environmental diluting or concentrating chlorides Conservation and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. in the river. It is the intention of this program to create voids in the reservoirs at key times of the year to The farthest upstream location of help mitigate river flooding during periods of high inflows and heavy snowmelt. the salt front in 2012 was river mile In addition, reservoir releases will continue to be adjusted to assist in repelling the upstream (RM) 77 in late July and early August. migration of salty water from the Atlantic Ocean that moves up the tidal Delaware River during This location is one mile downstream low-flow conditions. As salt-laced water moves upriver, Philadelphia and other public water of the Delaware-Pennsylvania state suppliers can be affected, along with industrial surface water users and ecosystems. line. In comparison, the salt front The renewed FFMP maintains New Jersey’s increased maximum diversion from the Delaware reached RM 102 (two miles upstream River Basin via the Delaware & Raritan Canal to a daily running average of 85 million gallons per of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge) day when the basin is in a drought emergency. during the 1960’s drought of record. Additional details can be viewed on the web site of the Office of the Delaware River Master at water.usgs.gov/osw/odrm/.

8 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 Water Quality Program Highlights

October 2012 PMP Workshop The Delaware EstuaryTMDL Monitoring took place during 2012 to collect precise and defensible data on PCB concentrations Coalition (a group of municipal and in the estuary, which includes the tidal Delaware River and Bay. Accurate measurements of PCB DRBC industrial dischargers) and the concentrations are required to support the implementation and refinement of theTMDL s in the cosponsored a workshop on October 22 in Salem, N.J. to discuss the progress Delaware Estuary. In addition, monitoring of the estuary’s ambient water for pesticides, dioxins/ achieved through the implementation furans, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), all of which have been identified as toxic of pollutant minimization plans pollutants of concern, was also undertaken. Toxic pollutants are those elements and chemical (PMPs) by dischargers of polychlori­ compounds that have adverse effects on aquatic life and human health as a result of both short- nated biphenyls (PCBs) and to share information on effective PMP term and long-term exposure. approaches. Participants included 84 industry and government representatives. tracking down unknown sources at the October 2012 workshop, can During a DRBC staff presentation, of the pollutant, and identify and be viewed at www.nj.gov/drbc/ Gregory Cavallo reported that the implement strategies for minimizing programs/quality/pmp.html. loading of PCBs from the 10 dischargers or preventing releases from all that contribute 90% of the total identified sources. Dischargers Contaminants of Emerging Concern in the loading to the estuary decreased 46% measure and annually report Tidal Delaware River: Pilot Monitoring between 2005 and 2010. progress made in reducing PCB Survey 2007-2009 The event covered the following loadings. This innovative approach DRBC Environmental Toxicologist topics: embodies the principle of adaptive A. Ronald MacGillivray, Ph.D. • PMP Principles and Loading management, which encourages authored a July 2012 report that Trends from 2005-2011 experimentation, measurement, consolidated the monitoring • Industrial Experiences with PMP and readjustment depending on the completed from 2007-2009 to Implementation results of the actions taken. It reflects determine the presence and • Municipal Experiences with PMP an awareness that while dramatic concentration of select contaminants Implementation reductions in loadings from all of emerging concern (CECs) in the • Regulators’ Perspectives on the source categories will be required ambient waters of the Delaware PMP Process over several decades to achieve the Estuary. Dr. MacGillivray also • Panel Discussion Highlighting PCB Total Maximum Daily Loads discussed the report in a September Dischargers’ Experiences with (TMDLs), the effectiveness of any 25, 2012 webinar, “Source Water Implementing PMPs particular treatment technology or Protection and Contaminants of reduction activity at a facility or site Emerging Concern,” hosted by the PMP requirements for point remains uncertain. Delaware River Basin Source Water (end-of-pipe) and non-point PCBs have been classified by theU.S. Collaborative. discharges of PCBs in the Delaware EPA as a probable human carcinogen. CECs are chemicals that have Estuary were originally adopted TheU.S. banned the manufacture and entered the environment through by the DRBC in May 2005. Under general use of PCBs in the late 1970s, human activities and include this PMP rule, dischargers identify but not before 1.5 billion pounds of pharmaceuticals and personal care known and potential sources the substance was produced. products (PPCPs), hormones, flame of PCBs emanating from their Additional PMP-related informa­ retardants (PBDEs), detergents, flame facility, identify procedures for tion, including presentations given repellents/non-stick surface coatings

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 9 (PFASs), and plasticizers (bis-phenol A). 20 water quality parameters were models to predict the movement of They have been detected in humans or evaluated eight times during the the contaminants. other living organisms and have been year at nine locations for three land The 2004 Athos I oil spill had found to persist in the environment, use types: core forest, fragmented earlier demonstrated the need to but are not routinely monitored and forest, and urban. The data will help automate a hydrodynamic model for are currently unregulated. evaluate the differences in pollutant the tidal Delaware River for rapid Although most of these loadings from specific land use types assessment of spill impacts on water compounds have been detected and development intensities. intakes. Following that incident, in surface waters at very low Dr. Namsoo Suk and John Yagecic concentrations, there is some Paulsboro, N.J. Train Derailment and from the Modeling, Monitoring concern about how CECs impact Chemical Spill & Assessment Branch developed drinking water and the river’s On the morning of November an automated system to retrieve ecology. Increased interest in 30, 2012, seven Conrail freight train and process current hydrological these substances and their toxic cars derailed while traveling over a and meteorological data, create a effects by scientists, the public, moveable bridge spanning Mantua model input file, run an existing and regulators is occurring due to Creek in Paulsboro, N.J. Four tank hydrodynamic model, and process improved analytical methods and a cars, three containing vinyl chloride the output. This DRBC computer growing body of information on the and one containing ethanol, came model is run overnight, every adverse effects of CECs. Therefore, to rest in Mantua Creek, which is night, without user input. Upon it is important to understand their a Delaware River tributary. One of notification that a spill has occurred, presence, sources, source pathways, the derailed tank cars was breached the most recent hydrodynamic persistence, fate, and how they and released approximately 20,000 prediction file can be coupled with degrade in surface water. gallons of vinyl chloride into the a water quality model to predict Additional information about creek and surrounding area. Vinyl the relative concentration of the CECs, including the July 2012 report chloride is a colorless, flammable contaminant in the vicinity of (which was revised in August 2013) gas that is used to make polyvinyl water intakes. By automating the and the powerpoint presentation chloride (PVC) plastic and vinyl hydrodynamic modeling, the time from the September 2012 webinar, products. It is classified as a known required to develop a contaminant can be found at www.nj.gov/drbc/ human carcinogen by the U.S. EPA. transport prediction can be reduced quality/reports/emerging/. As a precaution, local officials issued dramatically, thus providing better evacuation and “shelter in place” information to response teams and Neversink Watershed WQ Monitoring orders following the accident until water purveyors. Funded by the Pinchot Institute’s the situation was deemed safe. Information about the freight train U.S. Endowment for Forestry and While not a first responder accident investigation, which is being Communities Healthy Forests and agency, DRBC staff provided “behind conducted by the National Transporta­ Waters Program, this monitoring the scenes” support, including water tion Safety Board, can be found at effort focuses on assessing the quality sampling on the Delaware www.ntsb.gov/investigations/2012/ relationship between land use types, River. Staff members also were able paulsboro_nj/paulsboro_nj.html. development, and pollution loadings to advise the U.S. Coast Guard- Additional information can be found throughout the entire 435 square- led unified command response on the New Jersey Office of mile Neversink River Watershed, a team and public water suppliers Emergency Management’s web site at N.Y. tributary to the upper Delaware through the use of the commission’s www.state.nj.us/njoem/programs/ River. Starting in the spring of 2012, hydrodynamic and water quality paulsboro_hazmat.html.

10 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 Assessment of Metals in Estuarine Waters study will provide additional data portion of the river, samples of In Zone 5 of the Delaware River, to help determine concentrations of channel catfish and white perch which extends from the Pennsylvania­‑ metals in ambient water and whether were collected at five locations. Delaware state line south to Liston the commission’s metal criteria are The samples are analyzed forPCB s, Point, Del., copper concentrations exceeded. chlorinated pesticides, dioxins/ continue to be near water quality The DRBC study demonstrated furans, flame retardants (PBDEs), criteria, with several apparent that its procedures resulted in very perfluorinated chemicals, mercury, exceedances of the marine criteria in low contamination during sample and other metals. These data are the vicinity of Pea Patch Island, Del. collection and the achievement used to track the progress of the PCB Assessment of metals in the of lower levels of detection in the TMDLs that were established by the estuarine waters of the Delaware samples due to the more sensitive U.S. EPA in 2003 and to identify River is complicated by factors analytical procedure used. This data chemical compounds that may pose such as field sampling techniques, will be used in the DRBC’s biannual a risk to human health through fish analytical issues with contamination Water Quality Assessment Report consumption. These data are also and detection limits associated required under Section 305(b) of the forwarded to state agencies for their with routine analytical procedures, federal Clean Water Act that will be use in establishing fish consumption the applicability of freshwater or issued in April 2014. advisories for fish caught in the marine criteria, and the influence Delaware River. of other water quality attributes Fish Tissue Monitoring that influence the partitioning and TheDRBC in 2012 continued Delaware River and Bay Water Quality toxicity of metals. its periodic sampling of tissues of Assessment Report In 2012, the DRBC performed resident fish species in the non-tidal Every two years, DRBC compiles additional data collection for copper, and tidal portions of the Delaware the Delaware River and Bay Water zinc, and nickel using enhanced River. In the non-tidal portion, Quality Assessment Report, focused analytical methods and modified samples of smallmouth bass and on the main stem river, for the U.S. collection procedures in this white sucker were collected at EPA. The2012 report provided an stretch of the Delaware River. The Milford, Pa., Easton, Pa., and assessment of whether the Delaware information collected as part of this Lambertville, N.J. In the tidal River and Bay supported various designated uses during the period from October 1, 2006 through DRBC Geologist Greg September 30, 2011 by comparing Cavallo (right) holds observations to water quality criteria. the Niskin sampler and The following uses are protected by operates a portable pump while Modeling, DRBC regulations and/or the federal Monitoring & Assessment Clean Water Act of 1972: aquatic Branch Manager Dr. Tom life, public water supply, recreation, Fikslin holds a filter and fish consumption, and shellfish fills a sample bottle. This technique being used consumption. The report, along with during a special copper related information, can be viewed survey on the Delaware at www.nj.gov/drbc/quality/reports/ River results in very low contamination of the quality/. sample by other metal sources. (Photo by DRBC)

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 11 Basin News Briefs

Large Blooms of “Rock Snot” Discovered in about the ecological effects of with a report to be posted on the the Delaware River Didymo blooms, particularly at DRBC web site when completed. On April 18, 2012, DRBC Aquatic these high densities. Thick mats of Visit www.nj.gov/drbc/home/ Biologist Dr. Erik Silldorff was Didymo can crowd out or smother spotlight/approved/20120531_ surprised to see extensive mats of the more biologically valuable algae didymo.html for more details, invasive, aquatic alga Didymosphenia growing on the riverbed, thereby including additional information on geminata (also known as Didymo significantly altering the physical Didymo and how to properly clean or “Rock Snot”) in the Delaware and biological conditions within a recreational equipment. River near Matamoras, Pa. Further stream. Additionally, Didymo can examination led to the discovery of easily “hitchhike” its way into nearby Report on Delaware Estuary and Basin large blooms of Didymo occurring streams or rivers that currently Environmental Conditions over a 40-mile stretch of the lack the unwanted invader. This is The Partnership for the Delaware Delaware River, extending from alarming given that there are many Estuary (PDE) released the Technical the area near the confluence with cold water, low-nutrient streams in Report for the Delaware Estuary & the Lackawaxen River downstream the Delaware Basin and surrounding Basin in 2012 after two years of to the vicinity of Dingmans Ferry areas. Keeping “Rock Snot” out of collaborative effort. The 255-page Bridge. This section of river includes such streams is critically important assessment provides the public with two National Park units: the Upper because there is no known way to insight into the status and trends Delaware Scenic and Recreational fully eradicate Didymo once it is of select natural resources in the River and the Delaware Water found in a body of water. estuary and basin, building on a Gap National Recreation Area. DRBC received funding from similar technical summary prepared Subsequent surveys confirmed that Pennsylvania Sea Grant in August in 2008 for DRBC. More than 50 Didymo was present throughout the 2012 to help delineate the threats key indicators were used to gauge entire 200-mile non-tidal portion of from the expanding Didymo environmental conditions and future the Delaware River and into several invasion and provide the global needs. Findings suggest that the tributaries. community of scientists with overall conditions in the estuary and Didymo covers rock surfaces a better understanding of how river basin are fair, with a mix of in cold, moderate to fast flowing nutrients may impact the alga’s improving and declining indicators. water. While Didymo is not a public morphology. During surveys, Dr. PDE worked closely with the health hazard, there is concern Silldorff noticed that while the DRBC, state and federal agencies, diatom was extensive throughout universities, and its 21-member the non-tidal Delaware River, its Science and Technical Advisory form was notably different in the Committee (STAC) to share data higher nutrient waters below the and select the key indicators. Lehigh River, lacking the long stalk DRBC provided substantial in-kind seen in the lower nutrient waters contributions of staff time and upstream. Starting in February resources, authoring or co-authoring 2013, DRBC will perform additional the chapters on Watersheds and surveys and will transplant colonized Landscapes, Water Quantity, Water rocks to investigate the impact of Quality, and Aquatic Habitats. different water chemistry on stalk Participating DRBC staff included Didymo on a rock surface in Pike County near Matamoras, morphology. The results are expected J. Kent Barr, Ronald MacGillivray, Pa. (Photo by Erik Silldorff) to be finalized by the end of 2013 Ph.D., Chad Pindar, P.E., Karen

12 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 Reavy, Jessica Rittler Sanchez, Ph.D., floor would be needed to protect 2006. Rep. Holden played a key David Sayers, Erik Silldorff, Ph.D., the basin’s shared water resources; role in successful efforts that led Robert Tudor, John Yagecic, P.E., • Continuing to conduct water to restoration of federal funding and Thomas Fikslin, Ph.D, who quality and quantity monitoring to support the DRBC’s current serves as a STAC member. The2012 activities under an initiative expense budget in FY 2009 for the report will provide a starting point begun in 2010 to establish baseline first time since1996 . and technical back-up for a DRBC conditions prior to the onset of • David B. Soete, Senior Resource State of the Basin update in 2013. natural gas development activities Specialist for the Upper Delaware The Partnership is a private, in the basin; Council (UDC), retired on nonprofit organization established • With the help of a $650,000 September 30 after 23 years of in 1996 that leads collaborative grant from the William Penn service. An extremely talented and creative efforts to protect and Foundation, developing a tool photographer who captures the enhance the Delaware Estuary for evaluating the impacts of beauty of the Upper Delaware and its tributaries for current and land-based development on water region and its wildlife, Dave has future generations. PDE is one of 28 resources to facilitate informed been a frequent contributor to National Estuary Programs. planning and assess effects. the DRBC web site and assorted A link to the report can be found publications. Several of his photos at www.nj.gov/drbc/about/public/ Additional information as it appear in this annual report. publications/pde_treb2012.html. becomes available will be posted on Dave’s retirement from UDC will the commission’s web site at www. allow him to spend much more Natural Gas Update nj.gov/drbc/programs/natural/. time pursuing his passion for How best to minimize the photography. potential effects on water resources Changes to Partner Agency Staff • Laurie Ramie was promoted to the that may result from development During 2012, there were a number post of UDC Executive Director in of natural gas reserves from shale of personnel changes to various June 2012. She had been serving formations underlying much of the agencies and organizations that work in an acting executive director upper basin remained a major focus closely with the DRBC: capacity for the previous six of commission study during 2012. • Congressmen Maurice Hinchey months following the retirement While the DRBC’s revised natural gas (D-N.Y) and Tim Holden (D-Pa.) of William E. Douglass. Laurie has development regulations published each ended their 20 years of been employed by the UDC since in November 2011 remained in draft public service in the U.S. House of April 1997. TheDRBC is a non- form, the commissioners conferred Representatives at the end of 2012. voting UDC member. Visit www. in good faith to reach consensus on a Both were steadfast supporters of upperdelawarecouncil.org for more path forward. Activities included: the DRBC and keenly aware of the information about the council. • Reviewing new scientific studies value of managing water resources • Marie Stewart assumed the duties released on the subject of shale gas without regard to political of Deputy Delaware River Master development and water resources; boundaries. Rep. Hinchey was a during 2012, succeeding Gary N. • Benchmarking new regulations co-chair of the Delaware River Paulachok who retired in 2011. and best management practices Basin Congressional Task Force The U.S. Geological Survey’s adopted or proposed by state/ and helped to obtain funding (USGS) Office of the Delaware federal agencies and organizations; towards enhancing the basin’s River Master was established by • Considering what level of flood warning system following the U.S. Supreme Court Decree of minimum standards or regulatory the floods of 2004, 2005, and 1954 to ensure that the provisions

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 13 of the decree are met. The daily In 2012, NOAA reached out to the graphics and the conveyance of risk operations of this office are DRBC to assist the IWRSS federal and uncertainty information. Each conducted by the Deputy River partner agencies to convene a group group proposed a pilot project that Master through a USGS field office of basin stakeholders to learn about would demonstrate how some of located in Milford, Pa. Additional the hydrologic services IWRSS can these key information gaps could be information can be found online provide, identify key gaps that IWRSS filled to address priority issues. at water.usgs.gov/osw/odrm. might fill to inform water resources Additional information about • Joseph K. Hoffman, Executive decision making, and discuss IWRSS and the December 2012 Director of the Interstate possible demonstration projects forum can be found at www.nj.gov/ Commission on the Potomac to build capacity for integrated drbc/basin/intergovernmental/ River Basin (ICPRB), retired on water resources management in the decision/. March 30 after more than 13 Delaware River Basin. years of service. His successor is DRBC hosted a one-day Basin Plan Progress Report Highlights Carlton Haywood, who has served forum on December 13, 2012 at Stakeholder Projects in various roles at ICPRB since its West Trenton, N.J. building The eighth annual implementa­ 1982. Visit www.potomacriver.org to discuss IWRSS, which was tion progress report for the Water for more information about the attended by 43 representatives Resources Plan for the Delaware commission. from national, regional, state, and River Basin (Basin Plan) was released local organizations. In advance in September 2012. Compiled by IWRSS Forum With Basin Stakeholders of the meeting, participants were DRBC staff, the report highlights the Convened at DRBC polled to determine the highest progress made in 2012 by agencies Integrated Water Resources priority water resource issues for and organizations throughout the Science and Services (IWRSS) is a the basin. This poll indicated that basin toward achieving the goals new federal initiative supported the three issues of greatest interest and objectives of the Basin Plan. by a consortium consisting of were water supply, flooding, and The variety of programs and projects the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. climate change impacts. During the included in this report illustrate how Army Corps of Engineers, and the meeting, the attendees were divided the focused efforts of many agencies, National Oceanic and Atmospheric into issue-based groups to identify organizations, citizen groups, and Administration (NOAA). These key decisions, federal partner agencies are questions, and collaborating to design, develop, gaps IWRSS could and implement a national water address. The modeling and information services most commonly framework to: identified gaps • Infuse new hydrologic science involved (1) into current water resource models, forecasts, management; and analysis • Develop hydrologic techniques followed by (2) and information to support data and data operational water resources integration decisions; and needs, and (3) Dr. Tom Graziano (Chief, Hydrologic Services Division, NOAA/National Weather Service) • Provide advanced hydrologic communications, speaking to attendees of the one-day IWRSS forum hosted by the DRBC in December services to meet stakeholder needs. including expanded 2012. (Photo by Clarke Rupert)

14 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 DRBC partners provide the synergy award on behalf of the team. WaterSMART Study in DRB Underway and resources needed to restore and The award recognizes the Led by the U.S. Geological Survey protect the water resources of the multi-agency collaboration (USGS), the WaterSMART (Sustain basin and maintain the Delaware among staff from the National and Manage America’s Resources for River as a system of national Weather Service (NWS), DRBC, Tomorrow) program was initiated significance. and USACE-Philadelphia that by Congress to address current The Basin Plan, which was led to the development of new and future water availability issues published in September 2004, is a flood inundation maps for nine for people, the economy, and the 30-year goal-based framework that NWS forecasting locations on the environment. The Delaware River serves as a guide for all governmental Delaware River that can now be Basin was chosen as one of three and non-governmental stakeholders accessed online by the public. WaterSMART focus areas nationwide. whose actions affect water resources Flood inundation mapping is DRBC is working with USGS as a in the basin. It is organized into five an interactive, web-based product stakeholder partner on this project, Key Result Areas (KRAs), each with that shows the extent and depth of which is expected to be completed in its own goals and objectives: floodwaters over given land areas, 2015. • KRA 1 - Sustainable Use and enabling public safety officials and Basin-related WaterSMART Supply residents to examine the threat of activities include the following: • KRA 2 - Waterway Corridor flooding and determine areas of • A main stem Delaware River Management highest flood risk. Originally added study will focus on how reservoir • KRA 3 - Linking Land and Water to the NWS Advanced Hydrologic releases affect habitat for Resource Management Prediction Service (AHPS) web site fish, macroinvertebrates, and • KRA 4 - Institutional Coordination in September 2010 and July 2011, dwarf wedgemussels. Dwarf and Cooperation enhancements to all nine inundation wedgemussels are a federally listed • KRA 5 - Education and maps and a new, more interactive endangered species that have been Involvement for Stewardship user interface became available to the found in portions of the upper public in February 2012. Congressional basin. The annual implementation and grant funding was secured by • A basinwide rainfall/runoff model progress reports, along with the DRBC over a multi-year period to will be developed and used to information about the Basin Plan, finance portions of the project. evaluate how future water use, can be found at www.nj.gov/drbc/ Flood inundation mapping land use, and climatic conditions programs/basinwide/plan/index. was one of the recommendations could affect streamflows across the html. identified in the Delaware River basin. Basin Interstate Flood Mitigation • Critical information characteriz­ Award Recognizes Efforts to Enhance Flood Task Force Report following the ing flow, storage, use, quality, Warning in Basin floods of 2004, 2005, and 2006 to management, the integration TheFlood Warning/DRBC Team improve flood warnings and aid in of water-use and water-supply received the U.S. Army Corps of conveying an awareness of flood risk data, and ecological needs will Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia along the Delaware River. be developed by the USGS. In District’s “External Partnership Additional information about addition, estimates will be made Team Award—Civil” on June 19 in flood warning enhancements can for commercial, industrial, and Philadelphia. Jason Miller, Flood Plain be found on the DRBC web site at agricultural uses, and monthly Management Services Branch Chief www.nj.gov/drbc/programs/flood/ data will be compiled by 12-digit for USACE-Philadelphia, accepted the warning.html. hydrologic unit codes.

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 15 Additional information can be In addition, the four land Crockett, SRHA Executive Director found on the U.S. Department of the transaction grants each totaling Kurt Zwikl, DRBC Basin Planner Interior’s web site at www.doi.gov/ $4,000 will assist with costs associated Jessica Rittler Sanchez, Chris Gerdes watersmart/html/index.php. with permanent protection of with Exelon’s Limerick Generating priority watershed parcels located in Station, and State Rep. David M. Another Round of Grants to Improve the Berks, Montgomery, and Schuylkill Maloney, Sr. (Berks-130th District). Schuylkill Watershed counties. The non-profit organizations The Schuylkill River Restoration Exelon contributed $211,092 to and government agencies that Fund (SRRF) in 2012 distributed this year’s fund and the Philadelphia receive money annually from the nearly $240,000 in grants to Water Department (PWD) donated fund are selected by a committee support five projects and four land $100,000. Aqua PA, a first-time comprised of representatives from transactions that will improve water contributor, provided $2,500. Exelon, DRBC, PWD, U.S. EPA, Pa. quality in the Schuylkill River Remaining 2012 funds will roll over DEP, Partnership for the Delaware Watershed. The Schuylkill is the to the 2013 grant program. Exelon Estuary, and SRHA. Delaware River’s largest tributary. has provided $1.6 million to the fund For more information, including The five SRRF grant recipients since it was founded in 2005. The a presentation given by SRHA and projects that will mitigate SRRF was previously known as the Grants Program Coordinator Tim stormwater runoff and agricultural Exelon Schuylkill River Watershed Fenchel at the July 2012 DRBC pollution included: Restoration Fund, but was renamed meeting, please visit www.nj.gov/ • Berks County Conservancy to indicate the expansion from a drbc/programs/project/wadesville/ - $99,750 for agricultural solely Exelon-funded initiative. It schuylkill.html. improvements on two Berks originated in conjunction with a County farms along Mill Creek DRBC docket issued to Exelon for 18th Annual Delaware River Sojourn and Upper Maiden Creek. its Limerick Generating Station. The theme of the2012 sojourn, • Meadowood Retirement The SRRF, which also supports Adventures on the Delaware, Community - $58,000 for a projects that mitigate abandoned highlighted the fun one can have stormwater basin retrofit project mine drainage, is administered by on and along the Delaware River. along the Skippack Creek in the Schuylkill River Heritage Area While paddling the Delaware’s Worcester, Pa. (SRHA). exciting rapids, hiking nearby • Pennsylvania Horticultural Society The 2012 grant announcement trails, and camping along its banks, - $38,500 for the Hunsberger event took place in August at approximately 65 daily participants Woods stormwater project in the Russell Guntz Farm in Oley, of all ages learned about various river Collegeville, Pa. Partners assisting Pa., a prior year SRRF recipient. experiences and the region’s history. with this project in the Perkiomen This Berks County dairy farm The week-long sojourn, which ran Creek Watershed include Ursinus recently completed an agricultural from June 24-30, included stretches College, Montgomery County remediation project designed to covering nearly 75 miles of river from Conservation District, and prevent manure and other pollutants Callicoon Access in Pennsylvania Perkiomen Middle School. from washing into the Manatawny downstream to Palmyra Cove • Wissahickon Sustainability Creek, a tributary of the Schuylkill Nature Park in New Jersey. Although Council - $27,065 to install a native River. many paddlers were veterans of the meadow at the Cook-Wissahickon Speakers at the grant announce­ annual June event, one of the oldest Elementary School in Philadelphia ment included PWD Deputy river sojourns in the nation, 25 near Fairmount Park. Commissioner Christopher participants took advantage of the

16 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 “first time on the Sojourn” discount. for the public, but with a fresh look Executive Director Speaks at Event The Delaware River Sojourn is and enhanced functionality,” she Unveiling New River Basin Commission Bill organized by a steering committee continued. DRBC Executive Director Carol consisting of individual volunteers The upgrade was performed by R. Collier was the keynote speaker and representatives from various the New Jersey Office of Informa­ at the third annual Mighty Waters non-profit organizations and tion Technology’s (NJOIT) Creative Conference hosted by U.S. Rep. Paul agencies, including DRBC. Richard Services Unit. DRBC’s web site Tonko (D-N.Y.) on June 14, 2012 at Egan, a volunteer with the National continues to be hosted by New Jersey. Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Park Service’s Upper Delaware The commission’s communica­ At the conference attended by Scenic and Recreational River, tions staff worked closely withDRBC over 250 participants, Congressman chaired the committee in 2012. colleagues and NJOIT partners, Tonko announced that he had Prior to this year’s event, the suggesting design concepts and introduced a bill, H.R, 5927, “Delaware Sojourn Family” lost a creating the new site’s architecture, which would direct the president dedicated friend with the passing as well as organizing and adding to establish a Hudson-Mohawk of Richard ‘Dick’ Rhodes on April content to the new site. DRBC is River Basin Commission. 17, 2012. Dick, who served on the grateful to the NJOIT staff who Drawing comparisons to DRBC sojourn steering committee, was a worked on this project for their and the Susquehanna River Basin founding member of the National expertise, hard work, and patience. Commission, Congressman Tonko Canoe Safety Patrol and a volunteer Along with improved navigation noted that the new commission he is with the National Park Service. within the site, the redesign also proposing would carry out projects Visit www.delawareriversojourn. provides the commission with and conduct research on water org to learn more about this annual additional outreach capabilities resources in the Hudson-Mohawk paddling experience. to help the public stay connected Basin, which stretches across five with DRBC. These new features states and includes five subbasins. New Web Site Launched will help streamline information In her remarks, Collier said, TheDRBC updated its web site, dissemination, allowing for increased “Rivers do not respect political www.drbc.net, with a new look and sharing of DRBC news, programs, boundaries. Therefore the best way organizational layout in January and activities. to manage water resources is on 2012. “We are extremely excited the river’s terms—using watershed about the new web site,” 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 The commission’s original web site (left) and new site unveiled in 2012 (right). The updated web site includes enhanced functionality, be a great resource improved navigation, and additional outreach capabilities.

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 17 boundaries. River basin commissions To commemorate National which was started by former WMA like DRBC manage the river system AmeriCorps Week (March 10-18), 11 Ambassador Lorna Gifis in2007 . holistically while leveraging scarce 10 Dash for the Trash cleanups Following classroom presentations, resources, avoiding duplication of along the Delaware River and Bay New Jersey students were asked to effort, and maximizing efficiencies were organized by eight watershed sign a form promising to do their among governments.” ambassadors, including Allison. part to conserve water and limit No congressional action was taken Spanning from the region the amount of pollution that they on H.R. 5927 during 2012. of Sussex County in Northwest N.J. and family members contribute to Lower Township in Cape May to their local watershed. Students DRBC-Hosted Watershed Ambassador Has County, over 400 volunteers logged who returned a signed pledge form Another Productive Year more than 1,500 hours collecting to the Thunder were eligible for The AmeriCorps New Jersey 536 bags of trash and 52 tires. NJDEP two complimentary tickets for the Watershed Ambassadors Program Assistant Commissioner for Water April 21 baseball game featuring is an environmental community Resource Management Michele the Double-A affiliate of the New service initiative administered by the Siekerka, who represents Governor York Yankees. Building upon the state’s DEP to raise public awareness Christie on the DRBC, participated efforts of former ambassadors, about water issues and to promote in the cleanup and remarked, “The Allison expanded the event into watershed stewardship through Watershed Ambassadors positively neighboring watershed management direct community involvement. glow with enthusiasm and their areas resulting in over 200 students AmeriCorps members are assigned concern for the environment is and their families attending the to different watersheds throughout infectious.” DRBC Executive Director minor league game. After six years, New Jersey to serve as “watershed Carol R. Collier attended the closing this educational event has become ambassadors” to their communities. ceremony held along the Delaware a tradition and future WMA 11 Since 2001, DRBC has hosted River in Lambertville, N.J. later in watershed ambassadors have a strong the ambassador for Watershed the month to thank the sponsors, foundation to build upon in future Management Area 11 (WMA 11), ambassadors, and participants years. which includes the Central Delaware for exemplifying the AmeriCorps River region. This year’s watershed motto of “Getting Things Done.” ambassador, Allison Kohler, In addition to the AmeriCorps participated in several noteworthy New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors

environmental stewardship events. Program and the nonprofit

New Jersey Clean Communities

Council, sponsoring organizations

re Rive

a r &

w

la B

e a

y

D included the Governor’s Office on

Volunteerism and Service, New

Jersey Water Supply Authority, New

Jersey Environmental Infrastructure

Trust, and DRBC.

In another project, Watershed

D h ash for the Tras Ambassador Kohler worked with A unique logo depicting an eagle in the Delaware River Trenton Thunder Director of Public headwaters and a horseshoe crab in the Delaware Bay was Relations Bill Cook on the sixth created for the Dash for the Trash event. annual Clean Water Pledge program,

18 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 Financial Summary

DRBC’s financial records are audited annually as required by the Delaware River Basin Compact and are available for inspection, upon request, at the commission’s West Trenton headquarters.

“The respective signatory parties covenant and agree to include the amounts so apportioned for the support of the current expense budget in their respective budgets next to be adopted, subject to such review and approval as may be required by their respective budgetary processes.” Delaware River Basin Compact (Public Law 87-328, Section 13.3c)

DRBC Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012 – June In addition, the commissioners federal contribution to support 30, 2013) approved the DRBC capital budget the DRBC’s current expense budget On May 10, 2012 following a (Water Supply Storage Facilities was received during FY 2012, and public hearing, the commissioners Fund), providing for expenditures of has only been provided once since unanimously approved the DRBC’s $3,738,500. October 1, 1996. Cumulative current expense budget of $5,824,350 shortfalls in federal signatory for the fiscal year ending June DRBC Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011 – June member funding from FY 1996 30, 2013. It calls for the following 30, 2012) through FY 2012 continue to grow signatory member contributions: During FY 2012, New Jersey and now total $9,994,250. Pennsylvania $848,350, New Jersey and Delaware each paid their full $893,000, federal government $0, fair share of $893,000 and $447,000, New York $246,000, and Delaware respectively. New York’s payment $447,000. Under the tacit agreement of $355,000 was reached by the commission $271,000 below members in 1988 to apportion its 17.5% full Delaware River Basin Commission Fiscal signatory party contributions, the fair share and Summary - Agencywide for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2012 annual full payments would have Pennsylvania’s been Pennsylvania $893,000 (25%), $493,000 payment Revenues: New Jersey $893,000 (25%), federal was $400,000 Signatory Contributions $2,188,000 government $715,000 (20%), New below its 25% Grants & Special Projects 1,165,723 York $626,000 (17.5%), and Delaware full fair share. Surface Water Supply Charges 3,417,057 $447,000 (12.5%). (Editor’s Note: Pennsylvania has Project Review Fees, Investment Income & Other 1,769,428 FY 2013 Pennsylvania’s actual payment indicated that it Expenses: totaled $948,350, or $100,000 above the plans to make Salaries & Benefits $4,938,504 amount in the adopted budget. This up the $400,000 Operating Expenses 2,706,266 is the first extra payment intended to FY 2012 shortfall DebtDebt SServiceervice &a nDepreciationd Depreciation 1,224,827 make up for the $400,000 shortfall in over fiscal years Building Improvements/Equipment Acquisition 166,196 FY 2012 that is described below.) 2013-2015. No

DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 19 Schoharie

Chenango Greene

Broome Delaware

NEW YORK .! Deposit

PENNSYLVANIA .!Hancock Ulster Sullivan Wayne

D e la w Lackawanna a re R Orange iv er .! Port Jervis Pike

N Sussex EW Luzerne N YO EW R K Monroe JE RS EY .! Carbon Warren Morris Northampton

Schuylkill Easton .! Allentown .! Hunterdon Lehigh D e la Berks w Berks a re R iv .! er Mercer Reading Bucks Lebanon Bucks .! Trenton Monmouth Montgomery Trenton

Lancaster Philadelphia Lancaster Ocean Philadelphia Chester !. .! Burlington Delaware Camden

PENNSYLVANIA Wilmington .! Gloucester Camden MARYLAND New Castle Salem Atlantic

Cumberland

Dover .! Cape May Delaware Bay Kent .! Cape May ¹ Delaware River Basin Commission DELAWARE NEW JERSEY Sussex .! Lewes 0 5 10 20 PENNSYLVANIA NEW YORK UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Miles DELAWARE 20 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012 21 Delaware River Basin Commission 25 State Police Drive P.O. Box 7360 West Trenton, NJ 08628

Phone: 609-883-9500 Fax: 609-883-9522 Web22 Site:DELAWARE www.drbc.net RIVER BASIN COMMISSION Annual Report 2012