On behalf of Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection Monday announced it has signed a revised multi-state agreement that will continue water releases into the Delaware River from three New York City reservoirs.

The City of New York, Delaware, New Jersey and New York also approved the 10-year agreement.

These releases support a variety of water uses in the portion of the river that forms the eastern border of the Commonwealth, and will prevent threats to public health and the environment.

“Our focus has been and will continue to be protecting our water and land resources under all scenarios. It is important that we preserve our right to do so,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “This new agreement protects Pennsylvania’s water supplies and wildlife, as well as the recreational and sporting activities that take place in the Delaware River Basin.”

The three New York City reservoirs (Pepacton, Cannonsville and Neversink) are located at the headwaters of the Delaware River. Since 1954, Pennsylvania, New York, New York City, New Jersey and Delaware have jointly managed water resources that are vital to the river’s health, especially in times of low flows and floods.

The most recent agreement, signed in 2007, expired in May. The new 10-year agreement establishes a revised Flexible Flow Management Program, which provides protection for the resources in the Delaware River Basin.

The agreement also requires the parties to study ways to better manage those resources in the future.

Because the Delaware River supplies water for a multitude of purposes, carefully monitoring and regulating its flow is essential to downstream water supplies, protecting fisheries and wildlife habitats, enhancing flood mitigation, and inhibiting the upstream movement of salt water in the Delaware Estuary.

Click Here for a copy of the agreement.

For more information, visit the U.S.G.S. Office of the Delaware River Master webpage.

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[Posted: Oct. 23, 2017]

10/30/2017