On December 12, the Delaware River Basin Commission unanimously approved a resolution establishing the Advisory Committee on Climate Change.

DRBC is now accepting applications for membership to the Committee.

“DRBC has recognized potentially significant impacts to the water resources of the Delaware River Basin posed by climate change, for example, salinity impacts from sea level rise and changes in the seasonality and volume of streamflows,” said DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini.  “The ACCC will provide the commission and the basin community with vital, scientific expertise for identifying and prioritizing these threats and vulnerabilities, as well as provide recommendations for mitigation, adaptation and improved resiliency.”

Part of the ACCC’s initial charge is to help inform DRBC’s future water resource planning efforts considering climate change; support development of a comprehensive study on climate impacts to the basin’s water supply and water quality; and organize a Delaware River Basin Climate Forum with commission staff and partners to share basin-focused climate science.

The ACCC will be comprised of up to 18 individuals with relevant expertise, split in half between reserved (appointed by the commissioners or their alternates, representing the basin states, federal government, New York City Bureau of Water Supply, Philadelphia Water Department, and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary) and non-reserved (appointed by the executive director, representing academia/research institutions, environmental/watershed organizations, business/industry, and/or water/wastewater utilities) members. 

The committee is authorized for 10 years and can be renewed or extended prior to its expiration in 2029.

For more information, visit DRBC’s Advisory Committee on Climate Change webpage.

DRBC currently has six advisory committees and one subcommittee to an advisory committee; the ACCC will be its seventh advisory committee. Information on each is available on DRBC’s Advisory Committee webpage. 

Commission advisory committees are important forums for information-sharing, dialogue, and coordination among stakeholders and member state agencies; they also help inform the commission’s policy decisions.  All advisory committee and subcommittee meetings are open to the public.

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Delaware River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for regulator updates.  Follow DRBC on Twitter.  Visit them on YouTube.

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[Posted: December 13, 2019]

12/16/2019