Water is a precious and finite natural resource, it is
essential to all life and vital to ecological, economic
and social well-being.

The disparate distribution of water resources
among watersheds poses a challenge to equitable
allocation and use.

Prudent water management requires a
commitment to ecological integrity and biologic
diversity to ensure a healthy environment; to a
dynamic economy; and to social equity for present
and future generations.

The most effective way to eliminate pollution is to
prevent it’s occurrence.

Integrated management is crucial for sound
results. When making water resource management
decisions:
• Link water quality and water quantity with the
management of other resources
• Recognize hydrological, ecological, social and
institutional systems
• Recognize the importance of watershed and
aquifer boundaries
• Avoid shifts in pollution from one medium
to another and avoid creating a problem in a
different location or environmental medium
• Push the boundaries of technologic possibility
while balancing economic constraints

Improved land management is essential for
improving the condition of water resources.
• Decision-making should be based on sound
scientific principles and an understanding
of the relationship between land and water
resources
• Effective integrated management requires
coordinated planning and action by all levels
of government including federal, regional,
state, and local levels
• Existing planning efforts can provide the
foundation for improving land and water
resources management

Individually and collectively, we are responsible
for the stewardship of our water resources through
their judicious use and management.
• An informed public is vital to an improved
environmental future
• Public–private partnerships and enhanced
cooperation are necessary for improved results
• Successful decision frameworks are those
flexible enough to encourage and adapt to
innovations and new knowledge

Existing legal structures and laws provide the
framework in which management decisions
are made.

Decision-making should give due consideration to
the policies and requirements in existing laws and
the legal rights of persons and entities potentially
affected by water management decisions.

Authority to make integrated management
decisions shall be derived from existing law as
applicable, and may entail modifying or enacting
new laws.

Legal structures should be utilized that facilitate
managing water resources within entire basins,
watersheds, and aquifers, rather than on the
basis of political jurisdictional boundaries, while
continuing to respect the sovereignty of states and
their political subdivisions.

In water resources management, preferable actions
are those that are structured to accommodate and
be consistent with:
• Preservation and enhancement of ecological
integrity
• Sustainability
• Feasibility
• Resilience to natural variability

Equitably balance the multiple demands on the limited water resources of the Basin, while preserving and enhancing
conditions in watersheds to maintain or achieve ecological integrity.

To equitably balance multiple demands, it is essential
to understand the types of human and ecological demands being made on
the hydrological system. To set realistic targets for preserving and enhancing
conditions in watersheds to maintain or achieve ecological integrity, requires a
clear understanding of existing conditions, and of the needs of aquatic and riparian
populations. Those watersheds that currently approximate natural conditions should
be protected to preserve their ecological and hydrological functions and those that
have been degraded should be considered for restoration or enhancement.
Assessing current water use. Improving our understanding of water use will help
us to manage resources more effectively and focus our efforts to promote efficient
water use. The generation of reliable data requires accurate and up-to-date records
on all ground water and surface water withdrawal allocations, wastewater discharge
permits, and connectivity among withdrawal, use, and discharge points. Data
management problems currently hamper the development of a precise water use and
discharge data set for all watersheds in the Basin. However, existing information for
individual watersheds can be used to estimate water use in other watersheds with
similar conditions.
A summary of water withdrawals, exports and consumptive use in the Delaware
River Basin based on data from 1996 is shown in Figure 3. There are two major
exportations of water from the Basin. The largest (approximately 650 mgd) is to
New York City, which obtains around half of its water supply from a system of upper
Basin reservoirs that provide the water and make releases to the river designed to
ensure a minimum rate of flow. The other major export (approximately 90 mgd)
from the Basin is via the Delaware and Raritan Canal, which carries water to
northeastern New Jersey. Limitations on these exports, of 800 mgd and 100 mgd
respectively, were established by the Supreme Court Decree in 1954. The New York
City aqueduct system and the Delaware and Raritan Canal are illustrated in
Figure 4.
The largest water using sectors in the Basin are those of power generation,
industrial use and public water supply. In recent years, at the Basin-wide scale,
industrial water use has declined whereas water demand for power generation has
increased. For public water supply, conservation efforts have helped keep demands
stable despite a growing
population.
In response to actual
and projected increases
in water demand for the
power generating sector,
Merrill Creek Reservoir
was constructed in
1989. During low-flow
periods releases are made
from the reservoir to
offset the consumptive
use at facilities that
have purchased storage
capacity in the reservoir,
thus allowing them
to continue operation
where cut-backs in
production would
otherwise have been
required. Substantial
capacity in the Merrill
Creek Reservoir is
currently unused and
is thus available for
future purchase to offset
consumptive use at new
facilities.
Calculating water budgets. To help improve our understanding of how much water is
safely available for use we need to understand water budgets on a watershed basis.
A water budget is a description of the fate of water resources in a watershed, as
illustrated in Figure 5. Budget “inputs” include precipitation and imports (transfers
into the system). Water inputs will become:
• Evapotranspiration into the atmosphere
• Direct flows to surface water bodies (runoff)
• Indirect contributions to stream flow through the soil and water table
• Recharge to deeper ground water aquifers
• Consumptive losses associated with human use
• Exports from the watershed
The proportion of water inputs that arrive at each destination is determined by
climate; geology, soils and topography; by the land use attributes of a watershed; and
the way we use water resources. Water budgets yield an average annual accounting
of water volumes and do not reflect seasonal variation. Although the water budget
approach has limitations, pilot studies are under way as part of state water supply
studies and a USGS-DRBC partnership to assess the feasibility of using water
budgets as a screening tool for watershed assessments.
Assessing in-stream flow and freshwater inflow requirements. Understanding the needs
of aquatic ecosystems is essential to several Goals of the Basin Plan, including:
• Assessing the amount of water available for allocation
• Setting standards for improving conditions in watersheds and restoring
natural functions in stream corridors
• Protecting threatened and endangered species
• Improving operating plans for reservoirs
• Setting appropriate criteria and standards for assessment and restoration within the
Basin’s ecoregions are necessary to make sustainable water allocation decisions.
Developing strategies for the allocation of water. Once both human and ecological
needs are understood, the challenge of achieving an equitable balance of the
multiple demands on the hydrological system can be addressed. Prudent allocation
strategies may include curtailing water uses during drought conditions through
allocation decisions or use restrictions, and allocating water to areas with limited
water resources as determined by calculated water budgets and availability
assessments. Allocation strategies also need to honor the rights of the parties
defined in the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree.
Developing tools for assessing ecological integrity. The development of indices of
ecological integrity that integrate the physical, biological and chemical requirements
of healthy aquatic and riparian ecosystems is critical for realizing restoration
and enhancement goals as well as for developing appropriate water allocation
strategies. Key species or characteristics that are especially sensitive to changes in
water availability or quality should be identified. Understanding the relationship of 
ecoregions, ecological communities, and watersheds is integral to the development
and application of relevant assessment protocols.

Develop an integrated resource
management strategy to determine
amount of water available for allocation
considering: 1) Water budget 2) Instream
flow needs 3) Ground water
availability 4) Assessment tools
5) Degree of hydrologic/biologic
disruption

MILESTONE 
By 2005: Ground water
availability and water budget
pilot studies completed.
By 2006: Assessment tools
developed.
By 2007: Water budgets
completed for all watersheds at
appropriate scale.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Use of tools in policy
evaluation
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 4.2

Assess the ecological integrity of
watersheds and integrate the criteria
into water allocation strategies

MILESTONE 
By 2007: In-stream flow needs
established, criteria developed.
By 2007: Natural hydrograph
established at appropriate scale.
By 2008: Ecological needs
incorporated into reservoir
operations and allocation
decisions.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Improvement of monitored
biologic and hydrologic
criteria
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2

Discourage and where necessary
manage any expanded or future
transfers of water and wastewater
into or out of the Basin to minimize
and mitigate environmental or
other negative impacts, while giving
consideration to feasible alternatives,
the water needs of the sending basin,
and the efficient use in the receiving
basin of available resources

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Criteria developed for
evaluating interbasin transfers
DESIRED OUTCOME
Environmental and
other negative impacts
of interbasin transfers
minimized
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 4.1

Assess existing transfers of water and
wastewater into or out of the Basin in
light of changes, such as new water
resource management strategies,
technologies, storage, planning, and/or
demand

MILESTONE 
By 2005: Include as part of
docket, permit review, etc.

Manage future and expanded transfers
of water and wastewater among
watersheds to minimize and mitigate
environmental or other negative
impacts, while giving consideration to
feasible alternatives, the water needs
of sending watershed and the efficient
use in the receiving watershed of
available resources

MILESTONE 
By 2010: Guidelines developed
for balancing needs among
watersheds
DESIRED OUTCOME
Watersheds accommodate
planned growth with
minimal environmental
impacts
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4

Assess existing watershed transfers
of water and wastewater in light of
changes, such as new water resource
management strategies, technologies,
storage, planning, and/or demand

MILESTONE 
By 2007: Include as part of
docket, permit review, etc.

For future droughts ensure the
equitable allocation of water supplies
for essential domestic, commercial,
industrial, power generation, and
agricultural uses, while maintaining
ecological integrity of aquatic
ecosystems

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Agreement on
principles for water use
curtailment during droughts
DESIRED OUTCOME
Reduced environmental
and economic severity of
drought impacts
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 4.1

Ensure an adequate supply of suitable quality water to restore, protect and enhance aquatic ecosystems and wildlife
resources.

Aquatic ecosystems and wildlife
represent important users of the Basin’s waters. Protecting water quality for those
uses is an integral part of the Clean Water Act, and of federal and state laws and
DRBC regulations.
Identifying the freshwater needs for aquatic ecosystems and wildlife. Fresh water
must be available in adequate quantities for drinking, feeding, cleansing and
reproduction. Resilient, healthy ecosystems adapt to changes within a natural range
of variability. Changes that push the limits of that range may cause irreparable harm
to communities of water-dependent animals and plants. Therefore, it is important
to understand ecosystem function, and the limits to the range of conditions that
ecosystems and natural communities will tolerate.
Water availability varies with geographic location and seasonal fluctuations in precipitation
and temperature. It is also susceptible to change as a result of the patterns of human
settlement and water use. For example, the ways in which water is allocated to
uses within and outside of the stream (public water supply, industrial, commercial,
agricultural, power production, etc.) and how water is returned to the stream (when,
where, in what amounts, and of what quality) can
have a great influence on how streams provide for
ecosystem needs.

Integrate in-stream flow and estuary
fresh water inflow requirements for the
support of healthy aquatic ecosystems
into water resource regulations and
decision-making

MILESTONE 
2005 - 2010: Criteria developed
for use in allocation and
operation strategies
DESIRED OUTCOME
Improvement of monitored
biologic criteria
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1

Where water quality meets or is better
than standards for the protection of
aquatic life and wildlife, implement
anti-degradation regulations, policies
and/or other mechanisms to maintain
or improve existing water quality

MILESTONE 
On-going: Agreement on
necessary anti-degradation
measures
By 2008: Develop criteria and a
strategy to ensure water quality
suitable to protect aquatic life
and wildlife
DESIRED OUTCOME
No measurable degradation
of water quality from
standards in river and
tributaries designated to
support aquatic life and
wildlife
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.2

Where water quality is not sufficient
to protect aquatic life and wildlife,
employ strategies to provide protection
through the implementation of
TMDLs and other regulatory and nonregulatory
means

MILESTONE 
Varies: Meet TMDL schedules.
By 2008: Develop criteria and a
strategy to ensure water quality
suitable to protect aquatic life
and wildlife.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Improvement in parameters
of concern.
Improvement in metrics for
wildlife health.
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.2

Ensure an adequate and reliable supply of suitable quality water to satisfy public water supply and self-supplied
domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and power generation water needs.

Projecting demand
for water for various human purposes includes
identifying how much, when, and where water will
be needed. Before we can ensure adequate water
resources for human purposes into the future, we
need to generate projections of population and
sector water demand. These projections can then be
compared to the water determined (through the water
budget and available ground water assessments) to
be available for allocation — that is, available for use
without impairing the ability of the water resource
base to support healthy ecosystems. This will require
developing a methodology and range of assumptions
to which the Basin partners are agreeable. Figure
6 shows regional population change in the Basin
between 1990
and 2000.
Projecting water needs for all use sectors, must consider estimates of consumptive use,
water distribution system losses and the potential effects of various water conservation
programs. Projections must also take into account possible alternative future
conditions. This requires making a range of projections, reflecting a variety of
possible scenarios. Figure 7 illustrates how differing future water demand scenarios
require different levels of water supply development. This Plan requires that a study
of future water demands be undertaken to enable us to plan the necessary supplies
for the next 30 years. While we can focus on what the most likely (forecast) outcome
will be, we can also examine the cost and benefits of alternative (high and low) water
demand scenarios and the implications for resource development. This approach
also provides a method for testing the sensitivity of water use projections.
Ensuring adequate supplies for future populations. This entails understanding and
managing how and where growth will occur in order to fulfill expected demand
and have the least detrimental impact on natural systems. If water stressed areas
are identified for growth, then solutions to water supply problems need to be
determined and planned. Lessons learned and legal constraints established in
connection with previous decisions on water transfers should be incorporated into
water resources decision-making in the future to meet state, regional and local plans
for growth management as well as ecological needs.
The map in Figure 8 shows existing population density in the Basin regions
as of 2000, and areas in Pennsylvania and New Jersey where special withdrawal
restrictions are in effect based on concerns for ground water levels.

For normal hydrologic conditions
ensure supplies for projected
public and self-supplied domestic,
commercial, industrial, agricultural, and
power generation demands through
2030

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Water use projections
completed
By 2008: Agreement on
strategies to meet future need.
DESIRED OUTCOME
No reported supply
shortages under normal
conditions
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4. 4.1

Plan under drought of record
conditions, to provide adequate
supplies for projected public and
self supplied domestic, commercial,
industrial, agricultural, and power
generation demands through 2030

MILESTONE 
By 2006 : Water use projections
completed.
By 2008: Agreement on
strategies to meet future need.
DESIRED OUTCOME
No reported supply
shortages under drought
conditions

Ensure maximum feasible efficiency of
water use across all sectors, prioritizing
efforts based on the existence of
watershed transfers and/or substantial
consumptive use; including promoting
water conservation technology and
habits, leak detection and repair,
pricing incentives, etc.

MILESTONE 
By 2008: Set efficiency
measurements by sector
DESIRED OUTCOME
Measurable and improved
efficiency of water use
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.4

Increase the beneficial reuse and
recycling of reclaimed water

MILESTONE 
By 2020: 250 mgd (or need
to be determined based on
projected demand)
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increase in beneficial reuse 
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.3, 1.4

Where water quality meets or is better
than standards for the protection
of drinking water, implement antidegradation
regulations, policies and/
or other mechanisms to maintain or
improve existing water quality

MILESTONE 
On-going: Agreement on
necessary anti-degradation
regulations
DESIRED OUTCOME
No measurable degradation
of water quality
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.3

Where water quality does not meet
standards for the protection of drinking
water, employ strategies to achieve
standards through the implementation
of TMDLs and/or other regulatory and
non-regulatory means

MILESTONE
Varies: Meet TMDL schedules
DESIRED OUTCOME
Improvement in parameters
of concern
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.3

Protect the quality of public and
industrial water supplies by preventing
the isochlor from exceeding 180 ppm
at river mile 98

MILESTONE 
On-going: No salinity impacts
to public and industrial users
DESIRED OUTCOME
Salinity @ RM 98, stays
below 180 PPM
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Develop flow and transport models and
tools to track large scale accidental and
intentional contaminant releases to
1) Assess the impacts to water intakes
and basin water resources and 2) Direct
emergency response actions

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Initial models and
tools developed
By 2008: Models and tools
refined; mock Disaster drill
developed
DESIRED OUTCOME
Successful implementation
of emergency response tools
during a mock disaster drill
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Develop water supply contingency
plans to address critical water needs in
the event of the loss of usable source
water and water intake or distribution
infrastructure

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Initial water supply
contingency plans for highest
priority systems.
By 2008: Water supply
contingency plans for next
highest priority systems.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Workable, completed water
supply contingency plans
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.3

Ensure adequate and suitable quality stream flows for flow-dependent recreational activities.

Assessing the flows needed for recreational purposes and
planning for flow management includes:
• Defining the scope of flow-dependent recreational activities
• Determining the needs of these activities
• Setting operation strategies to be applied during periods of normal and
subnormal precipitation in the areas of the Basin where reservoir releases
are managed
• Examining legal restrictions on the use of reservoir storage
Flow-dependent recreational activities in the Basin, such as boating, swimming
and fishing, not only provide important physical, social and cultural benefits to
Basin residents and visitors, but they also comprise an important sector of the
Basin’s economy. Tourism dollars from the boaters, canoeists, anglers, and other
participants in water-dependent activities in the Basin are becoming increasingly
important. Recreation uses are also protected under the Clean Water Act’s “fishable
and swimmable” requirements. For all of these reasons, it is important that
recreational use of waterways continues to be valued and protected.
An Adequate Supply of Suitable Quality Water
The discussion thus far has focused primarily on determining and maintaining
adequate supplies for human and ecosystem needs. However, a sustainable use
of water resources also requires that, in using those resources, the quality be
maintained at a level that is adequate, both now and into the future, for all uses.
Therefore, a true measure of water availability must also include water quality.
Because many human activities have the potential to impact water quality, it is
necessary to understand the nature of those impacts, including those that have
occurred, those that are occurring, and those that may
occur in the future. Assessing the current quality of
the Basin’s water resources, while identifying trends
and potential impacts, is an ongoing component in the
process of maintaining or improving water quality.
Assessing water quality. Ensuring that water quality
meets or exceeds the needs of its intended use
requires it to be assessed. To determine the actual
quality of water in a stream or aquifer requires field
measurements and laboratory analysis. Data must be
collected over a period of time to adequately reflect the
natural range of hydrologic and climatic factors which
affect water quality. A significant commitment of time
and resources is necessary because information needs
to be collected for a duration sufficiently representative
of the natural variations or changes expected to occur
in natural systems.
Water quality must be monitored and assessed
with sufficient frequency and consistency to determine
if the water quality is being maintained, improved or
degraded. Strong coordination and cooperation among
Basin partners is critical to ensure the development,
implementation and monitoring of a comprehensive
set of criteria and indicators that define the quality
of Basin waters. Specifically, Basin partners must be
able to coordinate the multi-jurisdictional monitoring
efforts, agree on methodologies and criteria for sampling and assessment,
and provide consistent and timely advice to the water resource community.
Coordination and cooperation is also necessary to make the most efficient use of
limited fiscal and staff resources, and to provide adequate and reliable data.
• Basin partners face the multiple challenges of building on existing monitoring and
indicator programs, establishing robust sets of indicators for each of the Objectives in
this Plan, and implementing a coordinated monitoring network to accurately assess
water quality trends in the Basin.
Maintaining water quality. This requires setting water quality criteria and agreeing on
permitting standards for discharges as well as providing tools and information that
will prevent additional impacts from land development and management activities.
Approaches may include:
• Anti-degradation programs (e.g. designated uses, state protections for high
quality and exceptional value streams, the DRBC’s Special Protection Water
designations and federal Wild and Scenic Rivers designations)
• Stormwater management programs
• Water quality-based trading programs (offsetting impacts from discharges
by equivalent reductions from other sources within the watershed)
• A major challenge is to “keep our clean water clean” in areas with expected future
increases in growth and development activity.
Improving water quality. Where standards are not being met for designated uses,
regulatory and non-regulatory strategies must be developed to identify pollutant
sources and to achieve the standards. Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for
drinking water and ambient water quality have been set for many parameters.
When monitoring reveals problems with any given substance of concern, the next
step is to identify the source of the problem. For example, high levels of nitrates
in well water can be attributed to a number of sources; faulty septic systems, the
application of agricultural fertilizers, and livestock operations are the most likely
sources in our region. Tracking the sources and taking steps to reduce or eliminate
the contamination may require the participation and cooperation of health,
environmental and agricultural agencies as well as property owners and managers.
The Basin states and the Commission are currently engaged in the development
of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for certain pollutants surface water bodies
in the Basin. The TMDL program is targeted at point and nonpoint sources of
pollutants of concern that prevent the attainment of a water body’s designated use.
TMDLs are developed for each of the pollutants causing the impairments with load
allocations assigned to both point sources and nonpoint sources. Changes are made
to effluent requirements in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permits based on these load allocations. Nonpoint source reductions are
also identified, and the application of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be
utilized to achieve the necessary reductions. BMPs can include changes in fertilizer
type and use, greenways, etc.
Depending on the pollutant of concern, other approaches to achieve the
necessary pollutant reductions may also be effective. For example, a pollutant
trading program, in which credit for greater reductions than required in the
NPDES permit achieved at one or more point sources, may be traded to other
point sources to realize the overall load reduction. Similarly, pollutant reductions
in some nonpoint sources can be traded with other nonpoint or point sources to 
Coordination and cooperation is also necessary to make the most efficient use of
limited fiscal and staff resources, and to provide adequate and reliable data.
• Basin partners face the multiple challenges of building on existing monitoring and
indicator programs, establishing robust sets of indicators for each of the Objectives in
this Plan, and implementing a coordinated monitoring network to accurately assess
water quality trends in the Basin.
Maintaining water quality. This requires setting water quality criteria and agreeing on
permitting standards for discharges as well as providing tools and information that
will prevent additional impacts from land development and management activities.
Approaches may include:
• Anti-degradation programs (e.g. designated uses, state protections for high
quality and exceptional value streams, the DRBC’s Special Protection Water
designations and federal Wild and Scenic Rivers designations)
• Stormwater management programs
• Water quality-based trading programs (offsetting impacts from discharges
by equivalent reductions from other sources within the watershed)
• A major challenge is to “keep our clean water clean” in areas with expected future
increases in growth and development activity.
Improving water quality. Where standards are not being met for designated uses,
regulatory and non-regulatory strategies must be developed to identify pollutant
sources and to achieve the standards. Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for
drinking water and ambient water quality have been set for many parameters.
When monitoring reveals problems with any given substance of concern, the next
step is to identify the source of the problem. For example, high levels of nitrates
in well water can be attributed to a number of sources; faulty septic systems, the
application of agricultural fertilizers, and livestock operations are the most likely
sources in our region. Tracking the sources and taking steps to reduce or eliminate
the contamination may require the participation and cooperation of health,
environmental and agricultural agencies as well as property owners and managers.
The Basin states and the Commission are currently engaged in the development
of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for certain pollutants surface water bodies
in the Basin. The TMDL program is targeted at point and nonpoint sources of
pollutants of concern that prevent the attainment of a water body’s designated use.
TMDLs are developed for each of the pollutants causing the impairments with load
allocations assigned to both point sources and nonpoint sources. Changes are made
to effluent requirements in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permits based on these load allocations. Nonpoint source reductions are
also identified, and the application of Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be
utilized to achieve the necessary reductions. BMPs can include changes in fertilizer
type and use, greenways, etc.
Depending on the pollutant of concern, other approaches to achieve the
necessary pollutant reductions may also be effective. For example, a pollutant
trading program, in which credit for greater reductions than required in the
NPDES permit achieved at one or more point sources, may be traded to other
point sources to realize the overall load reduction. Similarly, pollutant reductions
in some nonpoint sources can be traded with other nonpoint or point sources to 
the waters that flow through them, comprise the waterway corridors that provide
habitat for aquatic life, recreational opportunities, flood control and a host of other
benefits worthy of protection and enhancement. The next section of this Plan, “Key
Result Area 2: Waterway Corridor Management,” addresses the issues specific to
improving the management of our waterway corridors.

Integrate consideration of flow regimes
to support water-based recreation in
the river and tributaries into allocation
and management decisions

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Recreational flow
needs quantified
DESIRED OUTCOME
Improved flows for waterbased
recreational activities
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.5, 2.2

Where water quality meets or is better
than standards for the protection of
recreational uses, implement antidegradation
regulations, policies, and/
or other mechanisms to maintain or
improve existing water quality

MILESTONE 
On-going: Agreement on
necessary anti-degradation
regulations
DESIRED OUTCOME
No measurable degradation
of water quality
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.4

Where water quality does not meet
standards for the protection of
recreational uses, employ strategies
to achieve standards through the
implementation of TMDLs and/or other
mechanisms

MILESTONE 
Varies: Meet TMDL schedules
DESIRED OUTCOME
Improvement in parameters
of concern
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.4

Prevent or minimize flood-induced loss of life and property, and protect floodplain ecology.

Identifying areas and structures within a community that are at risk from
flooding is the single most important step in mitigating future flood damage and
loss. Community planning to reduce flood damage is critical, and guidance is
available from federal and state agencies to help communities in this effort. In
addition, flood forecasting and warning, maintenance of flood control structures,
and stormwater management are all essential elements of controlling future
flood damage.
Assessing flood hazards. Flood hazard information must be made available to
communities so they can identify structures at risk and develop mitigation plans.
This should include methods that can help communities plan to prevent
structural loss.
Developing pre- and post-development mitigation strategies. The Disaster Mitigation
Act of 2000 requires municipalities and states to develop hazard mitigation plans
in order to remain eligible for post-disaster mitigation grants. Pre-development
strategies might include floodplain management, stormwater management, and
property acquisition along stream corridors. Post-development strategies might
range from maintenance of existing flood control structures to elevation or removal
of buildings from the flood hazard area by property relocation or buy-out and
demolition. In addition, streambank restoration could follow building relocation
or demolition.
Linking flood control and stormwater management. Coordinating flood mitigation and
stormwater management involves a vast array of agencies, departments, offices and
programs at all levels of government. A more detailed assessment of this challenge is
in “Key Result Area 4: Institutional Coordination and Cooperation.”
Taking steps to minimize the ecological impacts of floods. Landscape alterations that
occur with human settlement include intrusions into the floodplain — including
structures, roads, bulk heading, and the filling of wetlands — that can interfere with
both watershed hydrology and the floodplain’s ability to convey water. Damaging
erosion and deterioration of stream channels, and the associated ecological
consequences, can be minimized through a combination of regulations and
responsible development decisions for stormwater and floodplain management and
wetlands preservation.
Stormwater control and flooding. The practice of removing stormwater from a site as
quickly as possible, or controlling its peak flow rate but not its volume, combined
with the extensive clearing of forested land that historically precedes human
settlement, has altered the hydrology of many watersheds in the Basin, severely
in some instances. The importance of stormwater management to reduce both
ecosystem and property damage, along with steps to improve our current system of
management, is explained in greater detail in “Key Result Area 3: Linking Land and
Water Resource Management.”
Enhancing flood forecasting. No matter what assessments and mitigation strategies
are implemented, adequate warning with regard to impending or potential flood
events remains the key to minimizing loss of life in flood events. The accuracy and
reliability of hydrologic forecasting depends on adequate monitoring of precipitation
and stream flow. In support of enhanced flood forecasting and warning capabilities,
funding should be secured for the implementation of “Recommendations to Address
Flood Warning Deficiencies in the Delaware River Basin,” prepared in May 2002
by the Delaware River Basin Commission, with technical guidance from the DRBC
Flood Advisory Committee.
Increasing awareness. Community leaders, residents and developers need to be
informed about the natural functions of waterway corridors in flood mitigation, the
risks that accompany inappropriate development in the floodplain, and the need
for hazard mitigation and stormwater management plans to mitigate hazardous
conditions or prevent them from occurring.

Upgrade and modernize flood warning
and forecasting capabilities

MILESTONE 
By 2010: Completion of work
plan steps as outlined in report:
Recommendations to address
Flood Warning Deficiencies,
May 2002
DESIRED OUTCOME
Online availability of
Advanced Hydrologic
Prediction Service (AHPS)
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.1

Characterize flood damage risks;
prioritize and implement actions to
reduce risk and losses, and address
human induced ecological impacts of
hydromodification

MILESTONE 
2005 - 2010: Completion
of state and county flood
mitigation plans.
By 2010: Integrate flood
mitigation and stormwater
management in watershed
communities.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Compliance with Disaster
Mitigation Act of 2000.
Removal of streams from
impaired list (303(d))
for reasons of hydromodification.
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.1, 3.4

Enhance water-based recreation in the river and its tributaries.

The
Basin’s National Wild
and Scenic Rivers, the
Appalachian Trail, and
numerous game lands,
parks and forests can
be linked to optimize
recreational experiences.
Creating a Delaware Basin
recreational use and access
plan. The need exists
for regional recreational
use and access planning
that provides for overall
integrated management
of recreation and tourism,
protects water resources
from recreational impacts,
provides enjoyment and
convenient access, and 
protects the health and safety of recreational users. A Basin-wide recreation and
tourism plan should include strategies to:
• Promote the Basin as a tourist destination
• Provide additional public access to waterways
• Create a linked water trail system
• Increase the scope and frequency of stream and river trash collection
• Maintain or improve recreational water quality
• Avoid impacts from recreational use
• Improve the connections of communities to their waterways
The streams and rivers of the Basin are attractive natural transportation routes.
However, they are often isolated from one another, located on or very near private
property, or lack access sites or safety features. Hazards abound near urban areas,
in the vicinity of dams, and where high-speed roads and railroads share space with
recreational users. Generally, few amenities are available to travelers along water
corridors.
Inconsiderate recreational use can degrade environmental quality, especially
through physical impacts to sensitive riparian ecologies. Challenges lie in
understanding thresholds and, where necessary, setting limits to human use.
Coordinated efforts are needed to expand access and enhance the recreation
experience of the river-using public. Numerous entities in the Basin are involved
in providing recreation and tourism services, yet regional connections are lacking
between towns along waterways; between user and provider communities; and
between states. Implementation of recreation and tourism objectives requires a
serious coordination effort by public and private entities.
Promoting visual and physical access to waterways in community development plans. This
requires concerted efforts to educate developers, officials, and the public about the
opportunities waterway corridors can offer for recreation, and the need to promote
access through local planning. Legal barriers to increasing public access need to be
investigated.
Developing operating plans for reservoirs. Public and private reservoirs serve a variety
of important purposes, including public water supply, power generation, flow
augmentation and flood control. They also provide recreational opportunities (both
at the facilities and downstream). Facility functions can be prescribed by statute
and/or subject to regulatory approvals of the Delaware River Basin Commission, the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or other agencies, and their operating plans
must reflect their prescribed functions.

Develop a recreational water use and
public access plan for the Basin that
provides for: 1) Increased public access
2) Improved recreational experiences
for all users through signage, guides,
provision of destination points, linkage
to other recreational opportunities, etc.
3) Increased availability of pump-out
facilities, etc

MILESTONE 
2006: Partnerships formed and
funding sources identified
DESIRED OUTCOME
Basin-wide Recreation Plan
developed, with regional
segments, 2006 - 2030
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.2

Develop identified recreational
facilities and amenities per Basin-wide
Recreation Plan

MILESTONE 
By 2010: 25% of identified
facilities and amenities
completed
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increased recreational use of
waterway corridor amenities
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.2

Create a continuous network of water
trails for the river, tributaries and lakes

MILESTONE 
By 2010: 25% of trail network
completed.
By 2020: Trail network
completed.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Continuous network of
water trails along tributaries,
connected to main stem
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.2

Reduce or prevent generation of
debris and trash and expand clean up
programs in river and tributaries

MILESTONE 
Establish Baseline: 10% annual
increase in debris collected and
a decrease in reported debris
accumulation.
No unsafe conditions on
river and tributaries • No
flood damages due to debris.
DESIRED OUTCOME
No unsafe conditions on
river and tributaries • No
flood damages due to debris.
Ongoing programs
adequately staffed and
funded.
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.2, 5.2, 5.4

Develop an inter-state campaign to
promote the Basin as a recreation and
tourist destination

MILESTONE
By 2007: Strategy developed
to promote assets defined in
Basin-wide Recreation Plan
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increase in Basin recreational
advertisements
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.2

Ensure that recreational uses do not
impair the ecological integrity of
aquatic and riparian ecosystems

MILESTONE
By 2006 Baseline: Recreational
impacts identified.
By 2010: Development of
recreational BMP manual. 
DESIRED OUTCOME
Reduction in pollution
inputs from recreational
uses.
Recreation impacts reduced.
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3, 1.2

Support and encourage watershed
communities to incorporate waterbased
recreational assets in planning
and management, including
requirements in subdivision ordinances

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Workshops provided
for public officials and building
industry.
By 2010: Requirements such as
public access included in local
ordinances.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increased recreational
access and support for local
waterway corridor use and
protection
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.2, 3.5

Protect, conserve and restore healthy and biologically diverse riparian and aquatic ecosystems.

The health of plant and animal communities requires that flows in rivers
and streams exhibit the natural range of variation in the flow regime, especially
seasonally. Other physical and chemical parameters are also critical to the health
of ecosystems. Understanding the range of needs for the diverse native aquatic and
riparian populations within the Basin is a major challenge.
Defining flow regime and water quality criteria to support healthy aquatic and riparian
communities. Ecosystem needs for flow and water quality vary seasonally with the 
life cycles of aquatic and riparian species. Criteria are dependent on topography,
elevation, and geology, and are specific to the assemblages of populations in a
region, a watershed, or a stream’s reach.
Additional investigation of the fresh water inflow requirements for estuarine
ecosystems is needed. In the tidal portion of the Basin, present policy consists of
meeting a flow target for the Delaware River at Trenton, New Jersey. The target is
designed to maintain the 30 day average chloride concentration at or below 180
ppm at river mile 98 during repetition of drought-of-record conditions to protect
industrial and potable supply needs. Currently a model is used to forecast salinity
changes based on projected changes to the flow regime. The freshwater inflow needs
of estuarine systems should be established and incorporated into flow scenario
evaluations, and up-to-date information on climate change and sea level rise should
be used when evaluating projected estuary conditions.
Incorporating ecosystem requirements in water quality criteria and flow targets. The
Basin states are using biological and physical criteria in addition to traditional
chemical criteria for assessment and protection of aquatic life. There has been
increased monitoring of biological assemblages, habitat conditions, stream
morphology, and riparian conditions to determine overall ecological integrity
of the Basin’s waters. Coordination and cooperation among agencies and nongovernmental
organizations is necessary to effectively assess and manage the
Delaware River and its tributary watersheds. This includes establishing minimum
water quality and flow criteria to support consistent designated uses throughout
the Basin. These criteria will not just be the minimum acceptable for the survival of
adults, but adequate to support and protect all life stages and the reproduction of
aquatic and riparian communities.
Establishing a regional approach to sediment management. Sediment transport occurs
when soils are eroded by moving water. Results of sediment transport can be
beneficial or problematic. Floodwater deposition of rich alluvial soils can be a boon
to agriculture, while sediment deposits in navigable waterways can block channels
and create dangerous conditions for river traffic. Erosion of upland soils can result
in the loss of tons of fertile topsoil into bays and oceans, increasing turbidity and
smothering benthic habitat.
Managing sediment requires paying attention to the “source” of eroded
soils as well as the “sink” or place of deposition. Management of soil sources
includes a variety of practices to keep soils from eroding (see discussions
on stormwater management in “Key Result Area 3: Linking Land and Water
Resource Management”). Management of soil “sinks” includes dredging unwanted
sediment from ports and navigable channels, removing contaminated sediments
from ecological systems and removing sediments to restore habitats. Managing
sediments in a systems context has not been widely practiced, but regional sediment
management is being increasingly recognized as a strategy for effective ecological
and economic control of sediment as a valuable resource.
A regional approach to sediment management uses sediment budgets, which
include sediment sources and sinks and the identification of ongoing sediment
management activities performed throughout the watershed. Sediment availability
is linked with sediment needs within the system based on suitable quantity, quality, 
and timing. Through planning and coordination, such varied activities as navigable
channel maintenance, habitat restoration, abandoned mine rehabilitation and beach
nourishment projects can all be made more efficient and economical.
Employing restoration techniques to improve impaired waters. Restoring hydrological
and ecological function requires investments in research and agency support, but
they can be successfully accomplished with major benefits to water resources and
habitat. Environmental restoration is a relatively new field, and information needed
to determine objectives and predict ecological response to restoration measures
is sparse. Restoration of landscapes and waterways is presently as much an art as
a science. Sharing information helps advance our understanding of restoration
techniques.
Protecting riparian and aquatic ecosystems. Commercially significant species thrive
on a food base of non-game mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mussels,
and invertebrates supported by the Delaware River and Bay. It is important to
identify and protect the habitat and life stage requirements of key commercial,
recreational, game, non-game, threatened, and endangered species so they survive
and successfully reproduce throughout their natural ranges. Water flows and quality,
the absence of non-native predators or competitors for habitat and food, and the
abundance of food supply are all integral to the success of our native aquatic and
riparian plants and animals. Limits on harvesting may be necessary to ensure a
sufficient number of reproducing adults and the abundance of commercial species
for future generations.
Invasive species management. Identifying invaders, their means of distribution,
and methods of controlling them offers a tremendous ecological and economic
challenge. It also challenges the ability of our institutions to work cooperatively,
since it requires supportive efforts among agencies, organizations and individuals
in the fields of science and research, environmental protection, commerce, and
transportation.
• Competition from invasive species is second only to habitat loss in its impact on
ecosystem integrity.
This Key Result Area covers the importance of waterway corridors, both as the
interface between the land and surface waters of the Basin, and for the numerous
functions they provide to humans and aquatic communities. The quality and
quantity of our water resources are affected by conditions and activities that may
occur far from the actual water bodies. “Key Result Area 3: Linking Land and
Water Resource Management,” looks at how the entire watershed, including its
varied landscapes and land use activities, functions as a critical component of the
hydrologic system, and how our management and decision-making structure can
improve results for better water resource management.

Implement conservation plans
for populations, assemblages and
communities of indigenous aquatic and
terrestrial plants and animals (Consider
habitat needs for water quality and
availability, reproduction, food supply
and refuge from predation)

MILESTONE 
By 2008: Define critical habitat
and food sources.
By 2010: Set criteria for
protection and restoration.
By 2015: Plans developed for
key species or communities.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Locally optimal measures of
diversity, richness, balance,
abundance, integrity and
resilience.
Locally optimal measures of
habitat.
Refer to DELEP indicators.
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3

Implement fisheries management
plans to sustain commercially and
recreationally important species of the
Basin

MILESTONE 
Dates per management plans:
Targets met for key species:
shad, oysters, horseshoe crabs,
etc.
DESIRED OUTCOME
An indicator per relevant
management plans in place
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3

Increase the quality, diversity and
function of wetlands throughout the
Basin.

MILESTONE 
By 2005: Set assessment criteria.
2007 - 2015: Watershed-based
assessments of wetland
function, protection and
restoration opportunities.
DESIRED OUTCOME
20% increase in functioning
wetland acres, 2007
baseline, by 2030
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3, 3.3

Implement strategies to protect critical
riparian and aquatic habitat

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Critical habitats
identified, mapped and
prioritized.
By 2008: Protection and
restoration strategies
developed and adopted.
DESIRED OUTCOME
20% increase in critical
habitat protection and
restoration by 2030
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3

Implement invasive species
management throughout the Basin

MILESTONE 
By 2008: Management plans
developed
DESIRED OUTCOME
Plans implemented 
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3

Employ regional approaches to
sediment management to improve the
beneficial use of dredged materials in
habitat restoration

MILESTONE
By 2008: Plans developed
DESIRED OUTCOME
 Plans implemented 
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3

Prioritize and remove impediments to
fish passage

MILESTONE
By 2008: 5% increase in miles/
acres of streams opened to
migratory species, such as river
herring
DESIRED OUTCOME
Maximum stream miles
without impediments
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3 

Stabilize stream channels based on
systemic analysis of causes of instability

MILESTONE
By 2006: Identify areas of
instability and causes.
By 2008: Prioritize restoration
opportunities in a watershed
framework.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Miles of steams with natural
stability.
20% increase over 2006
baseline by 2030.
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.3, 2.1, 3.3

Preserve and restore natural hydrologic cycles in the Basin’s watersheds.

From
absorption into the atmosphere as a gas, to the eventual recharging of lakes, streams,
rivers, estuaries and aquifer systems, the natural hydrologic cycle is a continuous
and dynamic process in equilibrium. Human disruption alters the cycle in many
ways. Mitigating these disruptions requires us to address land development practices
and regulation, as well as impacts from existing development. 
Approximating natural seasonal flow regimes. In addition to gauging water budgets on
a reasonable watershed scale (see the sidebar on page 20 “Defining the Appropriate
Scale for Assessing Watersheds”) hydrographs should be established that reflect a
natural range of flow variability. The goal is to develop and manage land in a manner
that will approximate natural seasonal flow patterns.
Preserving soil health. Healthy soil infiltrates rainfall and enables recharge to support
stream base flows and ground water supply. Disturbance or removal of soil inhibits
infiltration and, if the remaining soils are compacted, may even prevent recharge
from reaching water supply aquifers. Maximizing infiltration reduces runoff and
thus minimizes flooding.
Maximizing natural vegetation. Vegetation helps to maintain soil stability, soil
structure, and local temperature regimes (microclimates). When vegetation is
removed, soil erosion and sedimentation in waterways increases. The removal of
root systems can exacerbate soil compaction, affecting infiltration and recharge.
A loss of vegetation also alters the amount of evaporated and transpired water to
the atmosphere that normally occurs during photosynthesis, resulting in increased
localized temperatures. This “heat island” effect is further intensified by large 
amounts of paved
surfaces. Not only is
the protective shade of
streamside vegetation lost,
but the stormwater runoff
from paved, un-shaded
surfaces has a higher
temperature to which
native stream species may
not be tolerant.
Replicating the natural
timing and volume of
stormwater. Routing
runoff from paved areas
directly into waterways
interrupts infiltration.
This can result in
flooding, severe erosion,
temperature and quality
changes, and diminution
of water availability.
Impervious cover
and some stormwater
collection practices
increase the volume and rate of runoff from storm events and may cause localized
changes to ground water. Stormwater management must counter the flow and
recharge alterations caused by development and ensure the recharge volumes equal
those of natural conditions.
• Wetlands play an important role in the water cycle and in habitat provision. Landscape
preservation and stormwater management programs need to consider the water
requirements to maintain wetland survival.

Encourage and support land use
designs that maintain pre-development
response to storm events with respect
to infiltration and runoff volume,
velocity, and quality

MILESTONE 
By 2007: Watershed-based
stormwater management
plans developed and adopted
that maximize infiltration,
while avoiding ground water
mounding, and minimize site
disturbance
DESIRED OUTCOME
Surface waters are less
impacted from storm
events • Floods, erosion
and sedimentation are
minimized • Stream base
flows are maintained or
restored with water quality
improvements
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.4, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3

Address adverse effects from existing
land use practices

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Criteria developed for
land management practices
2008 - 2015: Watersheds
evaluated and prioritized for
remediation efforts
DESIRED OUTCOME
Targeted watersheds
receive priority • Water
quality improvements in
watersheds
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.4

Discourage land use and stormwater
management practices that exacerbate
hazardous conditions, e.g. sinkholes,
flooding, etc

MILESTONE
By 2006: Areas especially
vulnerable to impacts from
development (e.g., karst
geology) identified. 
By 2007: Standards established
to protect areas and prevent
hazardous conditions.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Watershed communities
adopt protection standards
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.4, 2.1

Maintain and restore the integrity and function of high value water resource landscapes.

Certain elements of the landscape are integral to the maintenance of the
quality and availability of water resources. These landscape elements play specialized
roles in water cycling and renewal.
Taking inventory of landscape elements within each watershed. Landscape elements
that play a critical role in water cycling and renewal; high value water resource
landscapes; should be identified at the watershed level. Steps to retain their
hydrological function must be taken when land use, development, and preservation
decisions are made.
Incorporating the location and functional importance of high value water resource areas
or landscapes into natural resource inventory elements of local and county plans. These
elements are important in the local establishment of optimal land use and density,
for local and regional landscape protection efforts — such as open space planning 
— and for setting performance standards and management practices required for
development. Community Master Plans should be revised to include current natural
resource inventories inclusive of water resource landscapes, and to reflect zoning
that protects high value water resource landscapes.
Including performance standards in local zoning and development ordinances. Local
ordinances should incorporate plans and standards to conserve the water resource
function of key landscape elements. Performance standards may differ from state to
state and among regions of the Basin.

Map high value water resource
landscapes and assist watershed
communities in prioritizing these
resources for protection

MILESTONE 
By 2008: Priority areas
protected or managed in plans
and ordinances
DESIRED OUTCOME
Functions of high value
water resource landscapes
are maintained
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2

Develop guidance for performance
standards that protect the function of
high value water resource landscapes

MILESTONE 
By 2010: Performance standards
established for high value water
resource landscapes
DESIRED OUTCOME
Development of appropriate
performance standards for
local conditions • Ordinances
and regulations include
appropriate performance
standards for high value
water resource landscapes
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 4.2, 2.1, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4

Encourage and assist watershed
communities to prioritize high value
water resource landscaping for land
preservation programs

MILESTONE
By 2006: Landscapes of water
resource value identified and
prioritized for preservation
By 2010: High value areas
included in land preservation
programs. 
DESIRED OUTCOME
Watershed communities
preserve acres of valuable
water resource landscapes
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

Minimize contamination threats to
drinking water supplies utilizing
information from source water
assessment programs

MILESTONE 
By 2008: Protection efforts
prioritized and funded
DESIRED OUTCOME
Source water protection
plans implemented
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.3, 3.1, 3.3

Fully integrate water resource considerations into land use planning and growth management.

Water resource considerations are the aspects of water resource use
and protection that are related to land use and management. They include:
• Population and economic trends affecting water use
• Water availability and capacity of water supply systems, factoring in the
need to include the protection of stressed and threatened source waters
• Availability and capacity of wastewater treatment
• Stormwater management measures needed to preserve and restore natural
hydrological function within each watershed
• Protection or enhancement of the capacity of hydrological systems to
assimilate point and nonpoint sources of pollution
• Direct and indirect impacts to natural systems
• Maintenance of the function of high value water resource landscapes
• The recreation potential of waterway corridors
Water resource, population and economic information should be assembled and
analyzed on a watershed basis to aid discussions and decision-making for planning
and permitting purposes. Water resource considerations should be integrated into
the planning and growth management processes for communities and regions.
Considering water supply. Master plans, zoning and development ordinances should
be consistent with the availability and capacity of local water resources. Some
questions for communities to consider are:
• Are watershed communities dependent on surface or ground water supply?
• To what extent is conjunctive use of ground and surface water possible?
• Are current growth management plans and zoning realistic, given water
supply availability?
• Is there a current or projected water supply deficit?
• What options exist for enhancing water supply to support expected or
desired growth and what potential impacts accompany them?
• It is also important to consider the potential threats to source water supplies when reevaluating
zoning and growth management plans.
Considering wastewater treatment. Plans for wastewater service provision should
be consistent with the growth management plans of the watershed communities
and sensitive to the condition and capacity of water resources of the watershed.
Decisions relating to on-site septic versus regional collection and treatment need
to consider the capacity of the receiving water body to accept waste discharge, non-discharge alternatives, plans for growth into the future, and the long-term capacity
of water supply sources.
Typically, water supply planning and decisions about wastewater management
are undertaken separately, often because the entities supplying the service operate
independently of one another, and even independently of community plans.
Many utility decisions for water and wastewater supply are made through utility
commissions or boards that are not connected to community planning or to other
agencies with interests in the provision of water services.
Failure to appropriately coordinate water provision and wastewater planning can
lead to serious water resource issues. For example, in order to address the pollution
of coastal waters large regional plants were constructed to treat and discharge
effluent beyond the shallow bays and into the ocean. Coastal areas frequently rely
on ground water for potable supply, often from confined aquifers with limited rates
of recharge. Where permitted development depends on the capacity of the regional
wastewater treatment facilities and does not consider the sustainability of water
supply, communities may experience water supply issues, including shortages and
saltwater intrusion into freshwater supply sources.
Respecting the assimilative capacity of hydrologic systems. Water bodies become the
recipients of wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff. Healthy ecosystems tend
to be resilient to some stresses, but only within limits. Understanding an ecosystem’s
natural limits and linking these limits to water and land management is important
for planning, and for setting goals for sustainable development. Just as communities
and regional agencies consider the capacity of water and wastewater treatment
plants and transportation networks, they should consider the assimilative capacities
of the watershed’s hydrologic system. Alternatives to direct discharge to water
bodies, and the establishment of water quality-based discharge standards are tools
used to protect water resources.
Considering the direct and indirect impacts to natural systems. Comprehensive planning
efforts examine how water is used and the direct impacts of water withdrawals,
wastewater discharges, etc. Indirect impacts include issues such as:
• Increases in stormwater volume and changes in quality from expanding the
amount of impervious surface
• Water quality impacts from maintenance activities, such as the application
of de-icing agents on roads and parking lots or fertilizer or pesticide
applications for agricultural activities, golf courses, and other recreational
fields
• Lowering of ground water tables and impacts to streams and wetlands that
can accompany increased pumping for irrigation or potable supply
These issues are all linked directly to land development, although they are not
necessarily integrated into planning and project permitting processes.
Know your watershed. Establish what is known about local conditions by compiling
an environmental inventory. The ability to accurately quantify local hydrological and
ecological systems is hindered by limited data, a lack of modeling tools, and by fiscal
resources. Often, a complete inventory of local conditions is necessary for improving
planning and decision-making. However, there are characterization and assessment 
tools available for planning purposes. Watershed communities can work together,
sharing the costs associated with data collection and resource protection, just as they
share the benefits of a healthy watershed.
• There is a need for local planning tools to assess the impacts of alternative development
scenarios.

Develop watershed assessments
to identify priority water resource
issues that should be considered
in community land use plans and
ordinances

MILESTONE
By 2008: Watershed
assessments are accessible via
web.
By 2010: Issues prioritized by
regions and watersheds.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Watershed assessments
completed and water
resource issues prioritized
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 3.1, 4.2

Encourage and support watershed
communities working together
on regional planning and growth
management

MILESTONE
By 2008: Watershed
assessments used for water
resource protection and
planning
DESIRED OUTCOME
Growth management
and land use planning
approached on a watershed
basis • Multi-municipal plans
adopted
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.1

Ensure availability of land and water
resources data, analytical tools, and
models to guide local and regional land
use and growth management planning
and decision-making

MILESTONE 
By 2008: Data tools and
models on the internet with
instructional workshops offered
DESIRED OUTCOME
Watershed communities
use available data and
tools to assess alternative
development scenarios with
communities incorporating
conservation design
ordinances
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.1

Adopt and implement plans
and ordinances that incorporate
scientifically sound and legally
implementable provisions for the
protection and enhancement of
water resources (States to support
and encourage; local and county
government to implement; private and
non-governmental organizations to
partner)

MILESTONE
By 2008: Model water resource
elements for ordinances
developed
DESIRED OUTCOME
Plans and ordinances
updated with water resource
elements • Watershed
communities adopt
ordinances (e.g. low impact
and conservation design)
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.1

Integrate water resource elements into
local, multi-municipal, regional, and
state agency and authorities’ plans,
regulations, and decision-making
processes

MILESTONE
By 2008: Concurrent
planning for water and
wastewater infrastructure
through coordination among
water resource agencies,
environmental programs and
community planning
DESIRED OUTCOME
Water resource issues
are addressed through
coordinated planning efforts
with all water resource
regulatory entities
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.1

Encourage development and redevelopment in areas where growth can improve the economic viability of local
communities while providing for the protection and enhancement of the water resources of the Basin; discourage development and redevelopment where it may impair water resources and their related natural resources.

Choices about where and how development occurs, and how activities are managed
on the landscape, affect the quality and availability of water resources. Prudent
choices for growth and development incorporate water resource protection, and
use fiscal resources efficiently. Governmental agencies, in partnership with private
and non-profit organizations, can develop financial and regulatory incentives to
encourage smart choices for growth, development, and redevelopment that do not
impair water resources.
The following actions are necessary to accomplish this goal:
• Examine impacts and develop plans on a watershed, aquifer or regional
basis
• Identify targeted areas for redevelopment to absorb growth where
supporting infrastructure already exists or could be improved
• Develop criteria and incentives for coordinated review processes to
facilitate development and redevelopment in appropriate areas
• Cluster new development to provide a mix of uses and activities,
minimizing transportation impacts as well as landscape alteration
• Remediate contaminated sites and brownfields and return them to
productive use
• Maintain current waterway and port infrastructure
• Employ regional approaches to sediment management
• Adopt ordinances and regulations designed to protect water and support
natural resources through performance standards
• Incorporate natural features as functional design elements, e.g., linking
constructed and natural wetland systems for stormwater and wastewater
management
• Educate policy-makers, decision-makers and developers about water
resources, the benefits they provide, and their community enhancement
potential
• Restore the visual and physical connections of people to the waterways at
every opportunity

Identify and prioritize areas that
would benefit environmentally and
economically from redevelopment

MILESTONE
By 2005 - 2010: Appropriate
areas identified and prioritized
for improvements and
redevelopment
DESIRED OUTCOME
Redevelopment will be
located in appropriate,
targeted areas
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.2

Develop criteria and incentives
for coordinated review processes
that facilitate development and redevelopment
consistent with the goal

MILESTONE
By 2008: Incentives and criteria
for review are established • A
coordinated review process is
implemented
DESIRED OUTCOME
Encourage growth in areas
with adequate infrastructure
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.2

Develop criteria and disincentives
to be applied during coordinated
review processes that discourage
development, and redevelopment
inconsistent with the goal

MILESTONE
By 2008: Disincentives
and criteria for review are
established • A coordinated
review process is implemented
DESIRED OUTCOME
Encourage growth in
areas with adequate
infrastructure • Discourage
new development in
inappropriate areas
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.2

Maintain and make necessary and
prudent changes to existing navigable
waterways and ports and use regional
approaches to manage dredged
materials

MILESTONE 
Ongoing management of
current waterway and port
infrastructure
DESIRED OUTCOME
Safe and efficient waterways
and ports

Physically and visually emphasize and strengthen the social, historic, cultural, recreational and economic connections of
communities to the Basin’s waterways.

What’s the connection? Waterway landscapes appeal to all of our senses. Our history
and culture are tied to our waterways. Our progress as a society has depended on
water for transportation, power, commerce, recreation, and for poetic and artistic
inspiration.
Unfortunately, many people take water for granted, possibly because they are
disconnected from it. Drinking water comes from a pipe or a bottle. Buildings,
abandoned industrial sites, or the protective railings of the bridges that traverse
rivers and streams and the roadways that hug their shores often block views of
waterways.
Experience is education. Education and knowledge are the foundation for
stewardship, the concept of responsible care-taking based on the premise that we do
not own resources, but are managers and are responsible to future generations for
their condition. Providing the opportunity for waterway experiences is critical not
only to the stewardship of water resources, but for the maintenance of some of the
best aspects of human culture.
• It is important to acknowledge the historic roots of a community as well as its current
and future social and cultural needs.
Providing the opportunity to experience our waterways. Re-establish access and
visual connections where suitable, especially in association with redevelopment
opportunities. In urban areas, projects for the redevelopment of abandoned
waterfront areas should require elements designed to restore connections and
relationships to the waterfront. Providing opportunity to experience our waterways
may include commuter ferries, river walks and bike trails, boat access points, fishing
piers and interpretive signage. Public lands should incorporate educational elements
to foster stewardship.
We need to maintain what we have and to restore what we have lost. Without
the opportunity to experience our water resources — especially for sheer enjoyment
and wonder — we may remain disadvantaged, missing the inspiration of water.
Linking land and water resources management summary. This Key Result Area involves
all aspects of water resource management, landscape management, planning and
growth management, cooperation and coordination, education, and stewardship.
Integrating the management of land and water resources challenges us to:
• Understand the physical, chemical and biological processes that define the
water-land connection within a watershed
• Recognize the management strategy options necessary to achieve positive
water resource and development outcomes
• Improve communication and planning within the watershed community
• Improve regional coordination among water resource and land use agencies
• Create public, non-profit and private partnerships
• Improve our collection, analysis and distribution of water resource
information
• Develop and use analytical tools for local and regional decision-making
• Commit state, regional and local entities to engage in and support growth
management and resource protection on a watershed basis
• Commit financial resources to support and coordinate local and regional
planning and water resource protection efforts
The first three Key Result Area sections address the human and ecological uses of
water, the critical land-water interface of waterway corridors, and the watershed
landscapes and management decisions that can have long-term impacts on water
resources. Clearly, the human component is a critical one. Individuals, businesses,
organizations, and society, have the potential to effect important changes to our
water resources through the land and water management decisions we make every
day. The following section, “Key Result Area 4: Institutional Coordination and
Cooperation,” focuses on how to manage that human component through our
decision-making structures, formal and informal partnerships and agreements,
sharing of information, ideas and data and, ultimately, by institutionalizing our
relationships to the water resources of the Basin.

Encourage waterside re-development,
that emphasizes public access as well
as aesthetic, historic, recreational,
economic and cultural values

MILESTONE
By 2006: Waterside
redevelopment areas prioritized.
By 2008: Plan for infrastructure
improvements as necessary.
By 2008: Public-private
partnerships established
for urban waterside
redevelopment projects.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Waterside properties are
revitalized.
Public access, cultural,
historic, recreational and
educational design elements
are emphasized for the
community.
SUPPORTS GOAL 2.2, 3.1, 3.5

Create waterway transit opportunities
for residents, commuters and visitors

MILESTONE
By 2006: Assessments of transit
opportunities
By 2008: Public and private
investment in waterway transit
modes 
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increased use of waterway
transit
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.5

Improve coordination and cooperation in the management of water resources in the Basin.

This Goal cuts across all of the Key Result Areas encompassed in this
Plan. There is not one single “cookie-cutter” approach to improving coordination
and cooperation among the many agencies, businesses, elected officials, nonprofit
organizations and individuals who play a part in managing the Basin’s
water resources. For each area of research, planning, policy, management or
decision-making that this Plan addresses, several steps must be taken to improve
coordination and cooperation. The details of how to deal with each of the issues
described below varies with the particulars of each area.
Defining the key players whose efforts must be coordinated. The list may include
both Federal and state agencies, local units of government, business and industry,
research institutions, and citizen groups. When identifying key players, it is
important not to neglect stakeholders whose perspectives may not be reflected 
by the existing decision-making structure. Coordination must take place both as
collaboration across different areas of interest (horizontally) and as alignment within
a single institution or hierarchy of institutions (vertically).
Identifying the relevant policies, laws, regulations and planning or permitting processes
which need to be better aligned, made more consistent, or otherwise coordinated.
Conflicts among plans, laws, or regulatory regimes may reflect real differences in
objectives, as well as lack of communication. This Plan and its Guiding Principles
are intended to help overcome these differences.
Creating a vehicle for collaboration that can bring the key players together. Depending
upon the players involved and the plans, regulations, or activities to be coordinated,
this may take the form of a collaborative planning process with a defined objective
and deadline e.g., a technical working group that convenes periodically or an
advisory committee that reports to a lead agency. Not all players may be on an
equal footing with respect to resources and responsibility. Consequently, when
establishing partnerships or collaborative efforts, it is important to take into account
the constraints and costs of individual contribution to ensure effective participation
by all parties.

Achieve consistency in the
implementation of water quality
standards that apply to the shared
waters of the Basin

MILESTONE
Baseline 2005, 3 year reviews:
Development of a common
set of water quality criteria for
shared waters
DESIRED OUTCOME
Maintenance of water
quality to meet criteria
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 4.1

Ensure at state boundaries that
downstream state water quality
standards are attained

MILESTONE 
Baseline 2005, 3 year reviews 
DESIRED OUTCOME
Maintenance of water
quality to meet criteria

Achieve comparable monitoring,
documentation and accurate reporting
of data that involve the basin-wide
water resources of the Basin

MILESTONE 
By 2006: QA/QC protocols
and reporting methods are
compatible for water resource
assessment purposes
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 4.1

Achieve consistency in protection of
public health in regard to consuming
fish and shellfish, due to chemical
contamination, in regard to the shared
waters of the Basin

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Share data and
monitoring results • Consistent
message to public for shared
waters • Public awareness
program is implemented
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.1

Achieve consistency in content and
communication of advice for primary
contact recreational use of shared
waters

MILESTONE
By 2006: System created for
developing and communicating
consistent advice regarding
primary and secondary contact
in shared waters to protect
human health and safety
DESIRED OUTCOME
Advisories issued when
necessary to protect human
health (e.g., from bacteria)
and safety (e.g., high flows
and debris)
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.4, 4.1 

For future drought conditions, improve
exchange of hydrologic information,
drought status reports, and drought
restrictions among DRBC, states, and
public

MILESTONE
By 2005: Continued refinement
of drought indicators and
reporting
DESIRED OUTCOME
Up-to-date web page on
drought conditions and
restrictions.
DRBC and states set
consistent drought
declaration and water use
advice, states on record
then will act independently
as to criteria which trigger
declarations and will
issue their own water
conservation initiatives.
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 4.1

Foster communication among state
and local watershed programs and
processes

MILESTONE
By 2008: Uncomplicated
exchange of information and
data among local watersheds
and state agencies
DESIRED OUTCOME
Water resources information
is easily accessible and
current
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 4.1

Improve coordination of stormwater
management programs and practices

MILESTONE 
By 2008

Encourage communication for
water resource planning among the
watershed communities and counties
within a watershed

MILESTONE 
By 2010: Integrated water
resource plans are used as
planning tools
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 4.1, 5.4

Improve coordination among State
Coastal Zone Management programs

MILESTONE 
By 2010: Basin Plan Objectives
and CZM programs coordinated
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.4, 3.5, 4.1

Improve coordination for invasive
species management

MILESTONE
2005 - 2010: FEMA, NRCS,
Corps coordinate funding
for compliance with Disaster
Mitigation Act 2000
DESIRED OUTCOME
Single source of information
for federal flood mitigation
funding
SUPPORTS GOAL 1.1, 2.3, 4.1

Evaluate and coordinate funding for
flood mitigation

SUPPORTS GOAL 2.1, 3.1, 4.1

Support and implement watershedbased
trading, where appropriate,
as a tool to complement traditional
approaches to water quality
management and improvement

MILESTONE
2005 - 2006: Pilot study
determining need,
opportunities, and potential
constraints completed
2006 - 2007: Pollutant trading
ratios, project control measures
and responsibilities suggested

Increase sharing of data, information, and ideas among Basin stakeholders and reduce duplication of effort.

Making information available in accessible formats. Federal, state and regional agencies
and non-profit environmental organizations collect a broad array of water resourcerelated
data. This information must be available in formats that can be easily
interpreted in order to implement this Plan. Maps, for example, are easy to read and
can be particularly useful for policy and planning purposes when associated with
GIS spatial coverages that allow the overlay of other data.
Assessing the usefulness of collected data. While basic information is usually
straightforward to use, other raw data — such as daily precipitation, stream flow, or
monthly water quality reporting — are not directly usable by policy and decision
makers. This kind of data needs to be compiled and analyzed prior to use. In
addition, some data needs to be interpreted to be of significant benefit to users.
• The question of watershed scale is critical to our understanding of water resource issues
and to the measures we develop and employ to address them. Specific problems must
be understood within their local context. A regional or Basin-wide context should also
be considered when evaluating alternatives.
Identifying gaps and overlaps in data collection. Partnerships may be able to help fill
gaps in data collection or eliminate duplication where efforts overlap.
Providing a forum for discussion and analysis of available information. There is a vast
array of information, data, conjecture and misinformation available from many
sources. Making sense of this information requires the opportunity to share,
discuss, debate, learn and solve problems. Issue-based forums provide networking
opportunities, forge partnerships, and enhance the stewardship of water resources.

Complete framework data layers for the
entire basin plus several selected GIS
layers accessible via the internet

MILESTONE
By 2005: Completion of basinwide
database
DESIRED OUTCOME
Number of Internet hits and
user surveys
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 4.2

Make digital data layers and water related
databases available to view and
download, integrated across political
boundaries

MILESTONE
By 2006 
DESIRED OUTCOME
Number of Internet hits and
user surveys
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 4.2

Develop a database of ongoing
management activities to foster
partnerships and reduce duplication of
efforts

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Water resources
programs and network /
clearing house is operational
DESIRED OUTCOME
Benchmark and pilot efforts
are tracked and available for
review
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.3, 4.2, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

Improve methods of communication
with and among local governments
on water resource issues and provide
adequate opportunities for discussion
of key issues

MILESTONE 
DESIRED OUTCOME
SUPPORTS GOAL

Increase opportunities for the sharing
of ideas, data, technology and
information among public and private
sector professionals involved in water
resource issues

Increase opportunities for technology
transfer among water resource
professionals

MILESTONE 
By 2006

Secure adequate resources for programs and projects that encourage cooperative water resources planning and
management.

Always a necessity and a challenge,
targeted, strategic provision of resources is necessary to address the Goals of the
Basin Plan.
Identifying existing resources. Many state, regional, and local programs are actively
engaged in promoting, protecting, and enhancing water resources. An initial
assessment of current or planned activities and programs can be compared with the
Plan Objectives to determine which issues require special attention and cultivation
of resources.
• Explore additional resource opportunities to support investigation, monitoring,
planning, assessment and implementation activities.
Identifying and increasing opportunities to leverage federal and state funds for water
resource planning, protection, and restoration. Create opportunities that encourage
multi-jurisdictional approaches for programs and projects that encourage
cooperative water resources planning and management.

Inventory existing resources and identify
gaps to implement Basin Plan Objectives

MILESTONE 
By 2005 (1 year post-adoption):
Inventory completed.
3 year reviews, including
resource availability: All
baseline tasks completed within
timeframes.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Effective and efficient range
of funding sources that
support water resource plans
throughout the Basin
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.3

Explore additional resource
opportunities

MILESTONE 
2005 baseline; 3 year reviews 
DESIRED OUTCOME
Effective and efficient range
of funding sources that
support water resource
plans throughout the Basin
3 year assessments of
implementation, include
resource availability
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.3

Increase opportunities to leverage
federal, state and other funds for water
resource planning, protection and
restoration

DESIRED OUTCOME
Integration of Basin Plan
activities with federal and
state program funding.
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.1

Ensure that water resource partners support and execute water resources management in accordance with the Guiding
Principles, Goals and Objectives of the Basin Plan.

This Plan was developed with input from individuals representing federal,
state, and local government agencies, businesses and non-governmental, non-profit
organizations. Implementation of this Plan will require the continued efforts of these
partners and others.
Engaging a cross-section of Basin stakeholders to implement the Basin Plan. While the
DRBC will have primary responsibility for compiling data relevant to measuring
milestones and indicators, Basin partners need to continue to provide input and
oversight.
The 13,539 square miles of Basin territory is too large and its conditions too
varied to engage local participants effectively on a Basin-wide scale. However,
effective engagement of local contributors from the 838 municipalities, 42 counties,
and myriad watershed associations is essential. Watershed regions, defined by
grouping adjacent watersheds, perhaps those of the HUC 11 scale (see “Key Result
Area 1: Sustainable Use and Supply,” and the “Water Regions of the Delaware River
Basin” map) offer a means of addressing local and regional issues and effectively
engaging participation. Several regions have already successfully organized such as
the collaborative efforts established for the Lehigh and the Schuylkill Rivers.

Create or enhance formal partnerships
for the purpose of implementing the
Basin Plan Objectives

MILESTONE 
2005 baseline, 3 year reviews:
MOUs, joint work plans,
Commission resolutions
DESIRED OUTCOME
# MOUs, joint work plans,
and resolutions developed
to implement Basin Plan
Objectives • # Federal, state
and local projects consistent
with Basin Plan

Utilize the planning and regulatory powers of a regional governmental authority, the Delaware River Basin Commission,
to facilitate coordination and cooperation.

Coordinating federal and state agencies within the Basin. The Delaware River Basin
Commission is a federal-interstate agency, established by compact to manage
water resources within the Basin. One purpose of the Commission is to coordinate
the management of a common regional resource that was previously subject to
administration by 43 state agencies, 14 interstate agencies and 19 federal agencies.
Managing water resources pursuant to a comprehensive plan. The compact authorizes
the Commission to develop and adopt, after public hearing and with input from
the states and their political subdivisions, a comprehensive plan for the immediate
and long-range development and use of the water resources of the Basin. The
Commission should use its Comprehensive Plan to coordinate the goals and
activities of government agencies, and to guide and where appropriate, regulate
private activities.
Using the Commission’s multi-faceted authority to assist and administer water resources
in an integrated manner. The Commission is uniquely placed to integrate and
provide consistency among federal, state and regional water resource programs.
The Commission’s Compact grants broad powers in areas of water supply, pollution
control, flood protection, watershed management (including soil conservation and
fish and wildlife habitats), recreation, hydroelectric power and surface and ground
water withdrawals and diversions.
Leading by example and guidance as well as through regulation. The Commission should
use its planning authority and leadership to educate, partner with other public
and private entities, and demonstrate how water resources can be wisely managed.
Where coordinated efforts are important, the Commission should explore utilizing
regulatory mechanisms such as setting performance standards that allow states,
political subdivisions and private parties maximum flexibility to select the methods
to meet the standards.

Enhance DRBC Comprehensive
Plan to promote coordination and
achievement of the Basin Plan

MILESTONE 
By 2005: Basin Plan adopted State of Basin Report 2005. 
2005 - 2006: Comprehensive
DESIRED OUTCOME
Plan updated.
Tri-annual reporting on
implementation progress.
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.5

Establish a Basin-wide sense of place.

Creating awareness and understanding of
the river and its watershed resources to encourage stewardship.
• Motivate Basin residents, businesses and officials to identify with their watershed
address and to take responsibility for their behavior with respect to watershed
resources.
Water resource management requires an active and informed citizen
commitment — to participate in local watershed activities and to make “water
smart” lifestyle choices.
Expanding the use of web-based and mass media resources. In conjunction with other
agencies and organizations in the Basin, the DRBC already links many existing sites
from a central home page. Enhancing these capabilities and expanding information
coverage will facilitate the acceptance and implementation of the Basin Plan. (See
also “Key Result Area 4: Institutional Coordination and Cooperation,” Goal 4.2.) The
mass media can play an important role in educating the public about water resource
issues and the importance of conservation and other good practices. Workshops
for reporters, editors and other media professionals can play an important role in
ensuring the dissemination and consistency of critical messages. Projects that rely
on volunteers, such as streamside restoration and planting, need to be advertised
well in advance; print and radio media are critical elements.
• Establish a Basin-wide clearinghouse and inventory of watershed projects, programs
and contacts to create a more formal link among non-governmental groups involved in
water resource issues.
• Employ mass media coverage of water resource issues to expand outreach.
Increasing opportunities for participation. Expanding the number of projects,
activities, and programs for citizens to participate in increases their exposure to
water resource issues and to stewardship opportunities. Successful expansion of
participation opportunities must include an appreciation for the increasing ethnic
diversity of the Basin. Outreach efforts should include minority populations
and their interests and concerns about water resources. Messages about lifestyle
management must reflect sensitivity toward cultural and religious practices.
Implementing signage programs. “It’s your/my/our watershed!” Providing geographic
reference to streams and their drainage systems for the Delaware River Main Stem
and all major tributaries that cross interstate and state highways can help convey
this message. Signs telling motorists they are entering a particular watershed or
crossing a stream are already beginning to appear along roadways. This “watershed
addressing” technique educates visitors as well as increasing residents’ awareness
of where they live and travel in relationship to their home watershed and to other
watersheds in the Basin.

Create awareness and understanding
of the river and associated resources so
that citizens, businesses and officials
are motivated to describe their home
or place of business in terms of their
watershed

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Establish mechanisms
on education and involvement
to instill awareness of and pride
in the Basin

Create awareness and understanding
of the river and associated resources so
that citizens, businesses and officials
are motivated to act in ways that help
protect and restore the watershed

MILESTONE 
On-going

Continue and expand the use of
Internet and mass media resources
to educate the public about water
resources use, waterway corridor
management, land management for
water resources protection, institutional
cooperation and coordination for water
resource management, and education
for water resource management and
stewardship

MILESTONE 
On-going: More exposure of
water resource topics and
events in media • Provide
focused workshops for
watersheds, state officials’
conservation groups, etc.
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increased participation in
water resource programs
and activities and increased
coverage of water resource
issues in the media
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.1, 4.4, 5.2

Maintain a clearinghouse for information
on local watershed efforts, such as river
conservation plans, restoration and
preservation efforts – and opportunities
for financial and technical assistance

MILESTONE 
By 2005: Web-based data base
for watershed activity in the DRB
DESIRED OUTCOME 
More effective and efficient
watershed planning efforts
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2

Make education and outreach a priority
to achieve public awareness and
personal involvement on behalf of the
Basin and local watersheds

MILESTONE 
By 2006: Regular educational
and outreach releases to the
media
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increased requests from
public about water resources
and improved water
quality
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.2, 5.2

Increase participation in volunteer
water resource projects and programs
in the Basin

MILESTONE 
By 2010: 25% increase of
volunteers for Basin water
resource projects
DESIRED OUTCOME
Tracking system for Basin
volunteers and projects
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.2

Increase the number of projects,
programs and opportunities for
citizen participation in water resources
management protection and
enhancement by 25%

MILESTONE 
By 2010: Tracking system for
volunteers and projects in
place with a 25% increase in
opportunities for participation
and in Basin volunteerism
DESIRED OUTCOME
Number of projects and
number of volunteers
SUPPORTS GOAL 4.4, 5.2

Engage under-represented populations
in water resource issues and
stewardship

MILESTONE 
By 2005: Under-represented
groups included in planning,
events, and promotions
DESIRED OUTCOME
Diverse population participating
at events, programs
and in decision-making
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.2

Implement a watershed signage
program for the main stem Delaware
River and all of its major tributaries and
on state and interstate highways in the
Basin

MILESTONE 
2005 - 2010: Signs for subbasins
and major tributaries at
appropriate road crossings and
boundaries
DESIRED OUTCOME
Increased awareness of
watershed boundaries
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.2

Provide information to enhance the
ability of citizen and community groups
to participate in restoration activities
on their property and in their local
watersheds

MILESTONE 
By 2007: Distribution networks
refined and operating
DESIRED OUTCOME 
Improved water quality
from nonpoint sources and
an increase in watershed
activities
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.2

Increase student and youth awareness, understanding, and active participation in water resources issues.

We must take several steps to offer age-appropriate activities
and curricula about water resources and the Delaware River Basin to the next
generation of decision-makers. An integrated, sequential, K-12 science curriculum
focused on the Delaware River Basin and emphasizing service in partnership with
the community can provide districts and educators with some of the tools needed to
expand water resource education in our schools.
Providing outdoor experiences to engage students in learning about their watershed.
Nothing makes a watershed lesson more fun and interesting than actual
participation in an outdoor experience. This is when theory becomes alive and
engaging. Students can learn about important water resource educational elements
by applying science concepts directly to a local watershed, monitoring their local
watersheds through field studies, learning about the impacts of water resources
in their communities, and restoring watersheds through community needs-based
projects.
Supporting educators by providing information. A web-based clearinghouse can
provide timely, local aspects on water resource issues useful for curricula and
activity development.

Develop and initiate a strategy to
incorporate watershed curricula in the
education standards of the four Basin
states

MILESTONE 
By 2008: All school districts
and private schools integrate
watershed material in curricula
with materials available for
home schooling
DESIRED OUTCOME
All students in Basin know
their watershed address
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.1

Provide a water resources related
outdoor experience for every student
in the watershed before high school
graduation

MILESTONE 
By 2010: Every student will have
a hands-on outdoor experience
by high school graduation
DESIRED OUTCOME
Students will know about
water resources and land
use
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.1

Continue to promote and expand
school programs that provide active
participation in watershed protection,
restoration, monitoring and awareness
building

MILESTONE 
On-going: Every school district
has an annual snapshot-like
event and science clubs have a
water resources related project
DESIRED OUTCOME
Every school district has a
watershed or stream project
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.1

MILESTONE 
Maintain a web-based clearinghouse
specifically for educators
DESIRED OUTCOME
By 2005: Expanded Ed-Web
capacity and content
Increased hits on Ed-Web 
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.1

Increase private sector awareness, understanding, and active participation in water resources issues.

Water resource protection and enhancement is a salient
business issue. The challenge is to create opportunities to form and firm the
partnerships that produce positive results in water resource issues and sustain
commerce in the Basin.
Encouraging private businesses to adopt water resource stewardship as part of their
mission. A long-term corporate commitment to stewardship protects water
resources for future generations in many ways. While adopting water resourcefriendly
policies at physical plant and office locations, corporations can advise their
customers on how to handle or operate their products and inform them of any
changes of regulations. The private sector can also partner with non-profit and local
associations to promote community water resource programs.
Disseminate information about water resource issues to the commercial community;
describe water resource linkages with their commercial products and properties, and
suggest partnership opportunities. Highlight demonstration projects that showcase
innovative and progressive commercial projects. These models serve as examples
for other private sector interests as well as good public relations for water resource
management.

Collect and disseminate to members
of the commercial community
information about water resources
issues

MILESTONE 
By 2007: Materials developed
and distributed
DESIRED OUTCOME
Private sector participation
in water resource programs
increased
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.3

Highlight demonstration projects that
provide technology and information
transfer to commercial interests in the
Basin

MILESTONE
By 2007: Private sector
demonstration project in each
sub-basin
DESIRED OUTCOME
Improvement in local
watershed; transferability to
other watersheds
SUPPORTS GOAL 5.3

Encourage private sector funding and
participation in partnerships, initiatives
and enhancement endeavors

MILESTONE On-going

Increase local public officials’ awareness, understanding, and active participation in water resources issues.

As emphasized throughout
this Plan, better local land use decisions are the key to protecting water resources.
Public officials at the county and municipal levels make most of these decisions.
Outreach to these officials is critical, because state and federal regulations do not
and cannot provide a range of protection adequate to address all the potential
impacts of land management decisions on water resources.
Targeting elected officials and local leaders for education and assistance. Local leadership
is essential for local action. Leadership within the decision-making process can be
especially effective to forge the critical link between land use and water resource
management.
• The watersheds of the 13,539 square-mile Basin include all or portions of 838 towns,
townships, boroughs and cities in 42 counties.
• The political and legislative structure of three states and a commonwealth dictate
differences in roles, responsibilities and authority among those entities.
• Political cycles determine changes in community management occurring with great
frequency — potentially every one to four years. Dedicated commitment is required to
provide education and technical resources as each new team of leaders takes office.
Providing technical assistance to watershed communities. To incorporate changes
in land use plans and regulations, watershed communities require technical
information that is scientifically sound and legally defensible. Broad-based
information about the role of planning in water resource management is a critical
element of this education and outreach.
• Generally, communities are hesitant to take action on an issue if it makes them
vulnerable to legal action. Education and assistance programs must be developed to 
address this issue. Water resource protection needs to be easy and relatively effortless
for successful local adoption and application. Model ordinances can facilitate this.
Fostering partnership and communication among communities within each watershed. It is
important for each jurisdiction to understand its role within a watershed. (See “Key
Result Area 3: Linking Land and Water Resource Management” for a discussion on
watershed community). Watershed communities should be encouraged to share
information, collaborate on similar issues and agree on desired water resource
outcomes. Non-profit organizations such as local watershed alliances can help
facilitate this collaboration.
Addressing the upstream and downstream roles of the community as part of outreach
to public officials. Programs to educate and encourage stewardship among public
officials should help them to understand how their community fits into the larger
picture of the watershed, and where their watershed fits into the Basin.
• Most officials have a good understanding of the political landscape in their county and
state. The ‘waterscape’ needs to become just as salient to accomplish improved water
resource results.
Making funding and other resources available for watershed communities to prepare and
implement water resource-oriented plans and ordinances. Making resources available
with a minimum of fuss and hassle can make a big difference at the local level.
A dedicated fund to improve the water IQ of local decision-makers is especially
valuable and practical.
One of the purposes of developing this document is to provide a management tool
for addressing the many water resource-related issues facing the Delaware River
Basin. Through the narrative sections of this Plan, a direction has been set and Goals
have been identified to achieve the Desired Results. The following section is a Matrix
of Goals and Objectives. The identified Objectives lead to successfully reaching the
Goals. Accomplishing the Objectives requires applying the integrated management
concepts described throughout the Basin Plan.

Provide outreach and technical assistance programs targeted at local public officials, professional staff and
consultants

MILESTONE By 2005: Examples of watershed
communities’ innovative
programs available
DESIRED OUTCOME Local ordinances protect
water resources with
watershed communities
working together
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.1, 5.4

Work with local governments to identify small watersheds where communitybased actions are essential to meeting DRB preservation and restoration goals

MILESTONE By 2007: Watershed communities are working on water resource issues
DESIRED OUTCOME All levels of government work together to improve watershed management
SUPPORTS GOAL 3.1, 4.4, 5.4

Work with watershed community officials and organizations, and supply resources to develop effective water
resource programs

MILESTONE 
By 2008: Watershed
communities are adopting
and implementing effective
programs
DESIRED OUTCOME
Watershed communities
addressing shared concerns
SUPPORTS GOAL
3.1, 4.2, 4.3,
4.4, 5.4

Enhance funding for locally based programs that pursue restoration and protection projects

MILESTONE 
By 2007: Increased availability
of federal, state and private
funds
DESIRED OUTCOME
Additional dollars available
for localities