The Susquehanna River Basin Commission Tuesday invited Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to audit the SRBC’s finances and performance in an effort to clear up misconceptions about the commission by some members of the General Assembly.

The offer, by SRBC Executive Director Andrew Dehoff, was sent to the Auditor General on August 7.

Dehoff said the request followed two hearings by the House State Government Committee, during which some committee members said they believe SRBC’s regulatory activities duplicate those of the Department of Environmental Protection. They also expressed concern about the fees that SRBC charges its permit holders.

“SRBC is a multi-state commission whose responsibility is managing the water supply within the Susquehanna River Basin to ensure sufficient quantities are available,” Dehoff said. “DEP’s role is to oversee programs involving water quality and the safety of drinking water. In rare cases where there could be duplication in our regulatory activities, we work together to avoid it.”

Dehoff acknowledged that SRBC’s fees have increased in recent years as state funding to the commission has diminished, but he said SRBC has worked to improve efficiencies and keep fee increases as low as possible.

In fact, the Commission announced in June that it will hold the line on nearly all of its fees for the next year and will increase the municipal discount for its Annual Compliance and Monitoring Fee.

He noted that the Commission undergoes an independent financial audit every year, but that does not include an assessment of whether the agency is performing efficiently.

“We believe the auditor general will confirm our financial house is in order and clear up the misconceptions that some legislators seem to have,” Dehoff said. “We are and believe we should be completely transparent to the public and its elected representatives.”

Click Here for a copy of the letter to the auditor general.

A provision requiring an audit by the Auditor General was included as an environmental rider to the Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 453-- with the Senate-passed revenue package on July 27.  The bill is in the House waiting for action.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Follow them on Twitter and watch their YouTube Channel.

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[Posted: August 8, 2017]

8/14/2017