The Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s 2019 Annual Report is now available highlighting its efforts to ensure water availability, for flood warning, assessing stream health, restoring abandoned mine lands and enhancing ecosystems.

Commission Executive Director Andrew D. Dehoff, P.E. opened the report with these comments--

“In 1972, devastating, record-setting flooding from Tropical Storm Agnes set SRBC’s course and agenda for many years to come. SRBC launched work on detailed mapping of flood plains and predicted depths of flood waters.

“In the mid-1980s, SRBC spearheaded an interagency committee that resulted in the establishment of a state-of-the-art flood forecast and warning system for the basin — one that has delivered an impressive 20 dollar benefit for every federal dollar invested in it.

“The Susquehanna Flood Forecast and Warning System exemplifies good government by avoiding duplication of effort. Likewise, SRBC leaves water quality regulations largely to the states and serves to complement jurisdictional efforts with supporting monitoring and research.

“But no other agency has ever focused on the sustainable management of water supplies from an overall river basin, or watershed, perspective.

“Regulations and water use planning help SRBC ensure that water use doesn’t exceed available supplies while also avoiding conflicts among users and adverse impact to the environment.

“Without a check on the quantity and rate of water withdrawals, we would see the permanent loss of groundwater supplies, degraded water quality and habitat, and severely reduced stream flows.

“SRBC also coordinates the management of interstate water resources and resolves issues and conflicts within the basin. It conducts a variety of studies and runs a number of stream and river monitoring networks, all of which provide scientific data from which to make sound management and policy decisions.

“SRBC reports on the status of basin resources and helps municipalities advance public drinking water protection.

“We participate in cooperative management plans to address issues such as stream restoration, abandoned mine drainage remediation, invasive aquatic species and drought preparedness.

“This cooperative spirit is exemplified by the projects highlighted in this 2019 Annual Report.

“By coordinating efforts with agencies and organizations such as the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, SRBC can deliver cost-effective programs that support water supply availability, water quality protection, community flood and drought preparedness, and natural habitat preservation.

“SRBC serves as a model for interstate watershed management. It deserves the support of the federal and state signatory parties that created it, and its staff and commissioners look forward to continuing these critical water management services for the Susquehanna River Basin.”

Click Here for a copy of the annual report.

For more information on programs, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the Susquehanna River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for SRBC’s newsletter.   Follow SRBC on Twitter, visit them on YouTube.

(Photo: Billmeyer Quarry consumptive use water mitigation project, Lancaster County.)

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