Rountable attendees discuss the importance of shared water resource management. Photo by the DRBC.

Earlier this month, the DRBC, U.S. Representative Madeleine Dean (D; PA-4) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers partnered together to host a roundtable discussion about the importance of clean, accessible and well-managed water. The event was held at Blue Marsh Reservoir, Leesport, Pa. and also included a tour of the reservoir and the dam’s infrastructure.  

After the tour, Rep. Dean welcomed attendees, opening up the roundtable discussion with a stark reminder about the climate crisis and the importance of mitigating impacts and managing our shared water resources.

Panelists included Executive Director of the DRBC Steve Tambini, District Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District Lt. Col. Jeffrey Beeman, Executive and Deputy Executive Director of the Schuylkill River Greenways (SRG) Elaine Schaefer and Tim Fenchel, Executive Director of the Western Berks Water Authority Chip Bilger and Director and Assistant Director of Berks County Parks and Recreation Cathy Wegener and Brendan Lederer. USACE park staff for Blue Marsh was also on hand.

Panelists discussed their roles in managing and protecting water resources, as well as how communities recreate or otherwise connect with our water resources. They brought up challenges such as equitable access and the mitigation of harmful algal blooms, brought on by warmer temperatures, increased stormwater and fertilizer runoff.

DRBC's Tambini provided a high-level overview of the Delaware River Basin, the role of Blue Marsh Reservoir in the Commission's flow management program and the importance of ensuring a sustainable supply of water in the Basin for current and future needs. 

SRG's Schaefer and Fenchel talked about the value of engaging local communities with their waters and how this makes them better stewards of those water resources; better recreational access is imperative for this effort. 

Bilger's comments focused on the Authority's concerns about emerging contaminants and PFAS in particular. We are just scratching the surface of what this contamination looks like and are learning more every day, and he expressed appreciation for the DRBCs work to date in this area.

In addition to Rep. Dean, attendees included Pa. State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (D-129) and staff, Pa. State Rep. Mark Rozzi (D-126) and staff, Pa. State Sen. Christopher Gebhard (R-48) District Director Daniel Bost and Pa. State Rep. Barry J. Jozwiak (R-5) District Director Emily Daniels.

Attendees were able to ask the panelists questions and also bring up issues of concern for them and their constituents. State Rep. Cepeda-Freytiz echoed the comments from Schaefer and Fenchel about the need for better recreational access and opportunities, specifically mentioning the needs of the Latino community that lives so close to Blue Marsh. State Rep. Rozzi’s comments also focused on recreation and tourism, questioning how can we increase visitation to Blue Marsh and to the greater Reading area.

The Blue Marsh Dam was authorized by Congress for flood control, water supply, water quality and recreation. The lake is a popular destination for recreation for folks in the Reading Area. Learn more about the reservoir at https://www.nap.usace.army.mil/missions/civil-works/blue-marsh-lake/.

This event was a great way to bring people to the table – literally and figuratively – to talk about our shared water resources, what's needed, and how can we better work together. The DRBC fully supports opportunities like this roundtable to connect stakeholders from across various sectors with our elected officials for these important discussions.

The group at the Blue Marsh Dam. Photo by the DRBC.	The roundtable discussion was held at the Visitor's Center at Blue Marsh Reservoir. Photo by the DRBC.	The group gets a tour of the Blue Marsh Dam. Photo by the DRBC.
From L: U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean & USACE Phila. District Commander LTC Jeffrey Beeman. Photo by the DRBC.	From L: USACE Phila. District Commander LTC Jeffrey Beeman & DRBC Ex. Dir. Steve Tambini. Photo by the DRBC.	From L: SRG's Elaine Schaefer, Pa. State Rep. Mark Rozzi & Pa. State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz. Photo by the DRBC.
From L: U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, USACE Phila. District Commander LTC Jeffrey Beeman & Western Berks Water Authority's Chip Bilger. Photo by the DRBC.	From L: SRG's Tim Fenchel & Elaine Schaefer. Photo by the DRBC.	Standing: USACE Park Staff Brianna Treichler discusses the issue of harmful algal blooms & how they affect Blue Marsh Lake. Photo by the DRBC.