Who We Are

DRBC Overview

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) was created on October 27, 1961, by the Delaware River Basin Compact, marking the first time in the nation's history that the federal government and a group of states had joined together as equal partners in a river basin planning, development, and regulatory agency.

The members of the Commission are the governors of the four basin states (Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and New Jersey) and a federal member appointed by the President of the United States. Traditionally, the federal member has been the U. S. Secretary of the Interior. The President also appoints an alternate commissioner, as do the four governors, selecting high-ranking officials in the four state environmental regulatory agencies.

Commission programs include water quality protection, water supply allocation, regulatory review, water conservation initiatives, regional planning, drought management, flood control, and recreation.

The commission is funded by the five signatory parties, receiving additional revenue from project review fees, water use charges, fines, and federal, state, and private grants.