A watershed is the unit that should be used for planning and management of water resources. However, most watersheds include multiple municipalities, and many watersheds cross county and even state boundaries. How can we manage an environmental resource when working in a system where socio-economic and land use decisions are based on political boundaries?

For the past 40 years, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has been managing water resources within the 13,539 square mile watershed without regard to political boundaries, but using natural boundaries. The presentation will cover water quality and quantity management across boundaries, emphasizing new approaches that provide for environmental protection while allowing greater consideration of local and regional socio-economic needs and desires. These approaches are systems based, enabling new, cost-effective, creative solutions. The discussion will touch on TMDLs, ground water and surface water allocation, and the ongoing basin-wide water resource plan.