DRBC Commissioners and special guests honor the City of Camden. Top, L to R: Delaware Alternate Commissioner Stephen N. Williams; New Jersey Alternate Commissioner Jeffrey Hoffman; Pennsylvania Alternate Commissioner Susan Weaver; Federal Government Alternate Commissioner LTC Ramon Brigantti; and New York Alternate Commissioner Ken Kosinski. Bottom L to R: NJDEP's Elizabeth Dragon; DRBC's Steve Tambini; Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen; Camden County Commissioner Jeff Nash; and USEPA Region 2's Olivia Glenn. Photo by the DRBC.

On June 7, 2023, the DRBC held its first-ever Camden Community Day. The event, held in conjunction with our quarterly public business meeting, lauded the progress and partnerships that have supported the City of Camden's mission and investment in an economically thriving, dynamic and publicly accessible waterfront, as well as its commitment to healthy and sustainable water resources for its residents.

  • Learn more about the DRBC's June 7 Business Meeting

The day's activities commenced with a guided boat tour along the Camden waterfront. Partners, legislators and other community leaders got a unique view of several new parks and open spaces recently redeveloped thanks to the work of Camden County, the City of Camden, Camden Community Partnership, the State of N.J. and others.

Speakers included:

  • N.J. Assemblyman William Spearman (NJ-5)

  • Camden Community Partnership’s Joe Myers

  • Camden County’s Maggie McCann Johns

  • N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Elizabeth Dragon

One of the key messages of the tour was that great things can be done when everyone works together. Speakers also discussed future plans to further transform the remaining industrial sites along the waterfront into usable, accessible and connected spaces for recreation and a new era of business.

Following the bout tour, the Commission held its quarterly business meeting at Rutgers University Camden. Before diving into its regular business, the Commission gave special recognition to the City of Camden, presenting Mayor Vic Carstarphen with a resolution honoring and recognizing the City’s commitment to its communities and natural environment.

  • View Resolution for the Minutes Honoring the City of Camden (pdf)

In addition to Mayor Carstarphen, speakers included:

  • Camden County Commissioner Jeffrey Nash

  • N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Assistant Commissioner for Community Investment Elizabeth Dragon

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Senior Advisor for Equity Olivia Glenn

A period of open public comment came next, allowing members of the community to address the Commissioners directly about issues important to them regarding water resources. Afterward, the DRBC held a Community Resource Fair in the Campus Lounge. Local advocacy organizations, private sector companies and representatives from state government came together to interface with members of the public on issues related to community health, the environment and more.

If one pervading message was apparent throughout the day's proceedings, it was the power of partnership. There is great promise for environmental and economic progress that unites the spirit of community with the cooperation of government on local and state levels, and the DRBC is honored to recognize these achievements.

The DRBC would like to especially thank the Camden Community Partnership, the Riverlink Ferry and Rutgers University Camden for their assistance and support in hosting Camden Community Day.

N.J. Assemblyman William Spearman (NJ-5) gives remarks aboard the Riverlink Ferry, which gave us a tour of the Camden waterfront. Photo by the DRBC.	Camden Community Partnership's Joe Myers talks to attendees about efforts to redevelop Camden's waterfront into a series of parks and trails. Photo by the DRBC.	Camden County's Maggie McCann Johns talks to attendees about efforts to redevelop Camden's waterfront into a series of parks and trails. Photo by the DRBC.
NJDEP's Elizabeth Dragon talks to attendees about the state's work to help redevelop land along the waterfront into parks. Photo by the DRBC.	DRBC Exec. Dir. Steve Tambini (L) and Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen. Photo by the DRBC.	After the DRBC's public business meeting, we held a community resource fair at Rutgers-Camden. Photo by the DRBC.