This year marks the Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s 50th anniversary. The effective date of the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, which authorized the creation of the Commission, was January 23, 1971.

“It’s a good time to reflect on our role in the management of the river basin’s water resources and how the events of the past half century have shaped SRBC,” says Andrew Dehoff, SRBC Executive Director.

“Some of our most noteworthy accomplishments include state-of-the-art flood forecasting and early warning systems, the development of water storage agreements, long term water quality monitoring, effective water withdrawal regulations, and contributions to the Chesapeake Bay restoration,” says Dehoff. “All of SRBC’s efforts are in support of meeting the river basin’s public, economic, and ecological needs.”

Since 1971, SRBC has been dedicated to fulfilling its mission as a federal-interstate compact. Its duty is to coordinate the management of water resources across state lines, which requires a strong commitment from its member states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland along with the federal government, represented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

In celebration of its golden anniversary, state and federal leaders and partners are applauding SRBC’s achievements over the years.

Among those sending congratulatory letters and citations are the Honorable PA Governor Tom Wolf, Honorable US Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey Jr., and the PA State Senate and PA House of Representatives.

In addition, PA Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources Cindy Adams Dunn and Executive Directors of the Delaware River Basin Commission, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin and Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation have sent congratulatory remarks.

Former Commission chair Aneca Y. Atkinson, Deputy Secretary for the Office of Water Programs in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, remarked on the occasion, “I am proud to represent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Commissioner for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this important effort. For five decades the Susquehanna River Basin Commission has worked as a partnership in balancing the needs of communities with larger state and federal goals, for the overall benefit of all involved. Today, thanks in part to the efforts of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and its members, we see cleaner water and healthier communities throughout the watershed. I look forward to working with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission in our ongoing commitment to improving water quality in the Susquehanna River Basin and am honored to help usher in the next 50 years of cooperative conservation and protection of this critical watershed.”

SRBC is launching an anniversary campaign that will include special features in its newsletter and social media posts, an online historical story map that covers SRBC’s history and landmark achievements, and special events throughout the coming months.

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.

Related Articles:

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Releases Draft Comprehensive Plan For Public Comment [Comments Due Feb. 19]

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Hosts 3-Part Webinar Series On Groundwater Project Renewal Process

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Adopts General Permit For Groundwater Remediation Projects

-- Susquehanna River Basin Commission Updates Instream Water Monitoring Website With New Features

Conservation Leadership:

-- 26 More Counties Take The Lead In Developing Local Clean Water Action Plans In PA Portion Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed

-- CNH Industrial-New Holland Ag Partners With Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay On Riparian Buffer Project In Lancaster County

-- Miller Family, Mountain Watershed Assn. Partner To Protect 21 Acres Of Land In Fayette County

-- Susquehanna Greenway Partnership: Small Communities Becoming More Desirable In COVID Pandemic

--DCNR Good Natured Pennsylvanians: Joe Graci, Fmr DCNR Director Of Legislative Affairs

[Posted: January 21, 2021]

1/25/2021