The Susquehanna River Basin Commission recently issued its annual 2007 Annual Water Resources Program cataloging SRBC's 12 identified water resource needs for the Susquehanna basin and the many federal, state and regional programs and projects intended to address those needs.

The identified water resources needs relate to coordination, flood damage reduction, water quality improvement, drought mitigation, adequate water supplies, economic development, aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection, migratory fish restoration, recreation enhancement, and other important needs.

SRBC Federal Commissioner (Nominee) Brig. General Todd T. Semonite (Commander, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) said, "Nine federal agencies with jurisdiction in the Susquehanna watershed worked collaboratively with the Commission to produce the annual plan, demonstrating the federal government's commitment to enhanced coordination among its agencies and its partners. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is pleased to facilitate efforts to strengthen the partnership between the Commission and its federal partners. Stronger partnerships allow agencies to align resource commitments and programs to provide better service to the public."

SRBC is required by the Susquehanna River Basin Compact to produce an annual water resource program consisting of the programs and projects proposed within a 6-year period by SRBC, other governmental agencies, private-sector interests and organizations to address identified water resource needs.

In addition to the federal agency input, SRBC received direct input from Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Fish and Boat Commission; Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board in New York; and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition - a non-profit organization representing Southern Tier New York and portions of Northern Tier Pennsylvania.

The 2007 Annual Water Resources Program is available online.

4/13/2007