Officials from environmental agencies across the Delaware River Estuary region celebrated a unique partnership Friday with the signing of an agreement renewing their commitment to cleaner water in the tidal Delaware River and Bay.

Once so polluted that fish could not survive in its urban reaches much of the year, the Delaware River has made a remarkable recovery over the last several decades.  Today it hosts over 200 species of fish, a sustainably managed oyster fishery, and the world’s largest breeding horseshoe crab population. 

Over 15 million people rely on the waters of the Delaware River Basin for drinking, agricultural, and industrial uses.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary leads this collaboration on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Delaware River Basin Commission, Philadelphia Water Department, and environmental agencies in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

“This collaboration between agencies is absolutely vital to the continued improvement of the Delaware River and Bay,” said Jennifer Adkins, executive director of the PDE.  “Whereas other regions might compete for a river’s resources, this ensures Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania all work together to not only reduce costs, but also leverage more funding than each can offer individually.  In short, it’s exactly what’s right with government.”

Representatives from federal, state, and city agencies also joined Adkins.  This included two regions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Working together, this partnership has taken creative and effective action to meet the challenges impacting the Delaware estuary, including climate change and wetlands preservation,” said Shawn M. Garvin, regional administrator of the EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region.  “We appreciate this opportunity to continue our commitment to the important work of this partnership in protecting public health and enhancing the critical resources of the Delaware River Basin.”

Steve Tambini, executive director of the Delaware River Basin Commission, was also on hand to participate.  With a membership consisting of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and the federal government, the DRBC’s mission since its creation in 1961 has been to manage the water resources of the entire Delaware River Basin, including the estuary portion.

“Today we renew our ongoing commitment with our estuary partners to join together in planning for a sustainable future to ensure that we have a resilient water inventory to meet the region’s needs as well as use our collective expertise to protect and improve water quality throughout the tidal river and bay,” said Tambini.

Others pledged their city or state’s commitment to reducing water pollution.  Together they represent almost 7 million estuary residents, half a million of which owe their livelihood to the region’s water, habitats or both.  Some of their trades include farming, ports, seafood, tourism, and water delivery, and their wages exceed $10 billion per year, according to a 2011 University of Delaware study.

“Philadelphia is so very fortunate to be surrounded by the beauty and the power of the Delaware and the Schuylkill rivers,” said Howard Neukrug, commissioner of the Philadelphia Water Department.  “And we are likewise very fortunate to have such great partners to work with us as we work to ensure clean and abundant waters that are accessible, attractive and safe for the mutual enjoyment of the general public, commerce and the fish.”

“The Delaware River is a key part of our coastal zone in southeastern Pennsylvania.  It is not only an environmental asset, but also an economic driver in our state.  The river encompasses the Port of Philadelphia, one of the largest freshwater ports in the world,” said Kelly Heffner, deputy secretary for water management at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.  “The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary reinforces public and private efforts to protect this water resource.  It plays a crucial role in engaging the public and Pennsylvania is committed its continued success.”

“The Delaware Estuary is an important economic, cultural and recreational resource that encompasses large areas in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary David Small.  “While we’ve made great strides in improving water quality over the past several years, there is more work to do to achieve a truly drinkable, fishable, and swimmable estuary.  This agreement renews our shared goals of cleaner water and helps ensure that we work collaboratively and efficiently to continue the recovery of this vital natural resource.”

“New Jersey proudly reaffirms our commitment to working with our state and federal partners in supporting this vital program and advancing science, research and restoration work to protect the Delaware estuary,” said Daniel Kennedy, assistant commissioner for water resources management at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.  “Through our collaborative efforts in this program, New Jersey has also been able to leverage critical resources to support habitat conservation and ecological restoration, thereby supporting the local economy in areas along the Delaware Bayshore heavily impacted by Superstorm Sandy, attracting hunters, anglers, birders, and other outdoor enthusiasts.”

Regulators endorsed the first management plan for the Delaware River estuary during a ceremony at Philadelphia’s Penn’s Landing on September 19, 1996.  Signers included Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge; New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman; Senator Tom Carper, then governor of Delaware; and administrators Jeanne Fox and Michael McCabe of the EPA’s Region 2 and 3 offices, respectively. 

Together they used drinking water pumped from the Delaware River to toast the seven years and thousands of hours required to draft a formal compromise.

This ceremony marked the beginning of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and inclusion of the Delaware Estuary in the EPA’s National Estuary Program.  Like other estuary programs around the country, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary is science-based and stakeholder-driven, and focuses on environmental improvement through on-the-ground science, restoration, education, and outreach activities. 

Signers of this agreement celebrated their recommitment to this partnership, and continued environmental improvement of the Delaware River and Bay.

“This agreement recognizes that, with an estuary as large and as important as the Delaware River and Bay, no single government, business, or group can address all the challenges and recommits us to working together,” explained Kevin Donnelly, chairman of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary’s Board of Directors as he lifted his glass of water for a toast, “and that’s worth celebrating!”

For more information, visit the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary website.

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