From L to R: DRBC's Deputy Exec. Dir. Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman and Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert H. Steinmann hold a check for $715,000 in Community Project Funding for the DRBC. Photo by the DRBC.

Earlier this month, the DRBC was joined at the Trenton City Boat Launch along the Delaware River by U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D; NJ-12), N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert Steinmann, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and invited guests to celebrate the Commission receiving federal Community Project Funding (CPF) for federal fiscal year 2023.

The CPF, in the amount of $715,000, represents the federal government's annual signatory apportionment of the DRBC's budget. Congresswoman Watson Coleman secured this funding for the DRBC, which was part of the omnibus government funding legislation that Congress passed on December 23, 2022.

Holding the event along the Delaware River provided a unique opportunity for speakers and invited guests to witness how the DRBC monitors water quality first-hand. Before the speakers' remarks, DRBC staff gave a short demonstration of some of the various tools and techniques used and discussed a few of the programs that we collect data for. The Commission knows that you cannot manage what you do not measure, and our water quality programs are supported by robust monitoring that ensures criteria are being met and that the shared water resources of the Basin are being effectively managed.

DRBC Deputy Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh kicked off the event, welcoming everyone and thanking Congresswoman Watson Coleman for her leadership in securing community project funding to support the FY 2023 operations and programs of the DRBC, a strong signal of federal commitment to our shared water resources.

Congresswoman Watson Coleman, whose district includes Trenton as well as DRBC's headquarters in Ewing Township, is a huge proponent of programs that improve the health of the Delaware River. In her remarks, she reiterated that the Delaware River Basin Commission project is an investment in the future of clean and safe water quality for years to come, not just for NJ-12, but for all the 14.2 million people who depend on the Basin's water resources.

Commissioner LaTourette highlighted the Commission's longstanding coordinated approach to water resource management, which has led to significant improvements in water quality and ecological enhancements across the region. His remarks also included kudos for Congresswoman Watson Coleman's leadership in obtaining this funding that will allow the DRBC to better meet the challenges of water supply planning in the face of climate change and the need for stricter water quality standards.

Ewing Township Mayor Bert Steinmann spoke about the importance of increasing and improving access to the river. He grew up enjoying recreational opportunities on the Delaware River and would like to see more efforts to both protect the river and expand people’s access; in turn, greater access will instill greater interest in the river and stewardship of its shared resources.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora was unable to make remarks at the event due to a scheduling change. In the news release announcing this event, Gusciora thanked Congresswoman Watson Coleman for her steadfast advocacy for Trenton's water quality and support of the DRBC, helping provide it with the resources required to maintain high water quality along the Delaware River.

The federal government has not consistently funded the DRBC since 1997 and last provided earmarked funding for the Commission in 2009. It is hoped that the funding awarded this year signifies a renewal of the United States' financial commitment to the Commission.

Federal funding will be used to bolster the DRBC's science-based plans, programs and policies that provide clean, sustainable, secure and equitable water resources for the region. While the DRBC has increasingly looked to grants and special project funding to fill budget gaps, signatory funding through the CPF program allows the Commission to operate and budget in service of its mission to manage, protect and improve our shared water resources, as well as fill vacancies and complete deferred maintenance.

Learn more:

• News Release from Congresswoman Watson Coleman's office: https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-secures-715000-in-funding-for-delaware-river-basin-commission
  
  
• DRBC Budget Information: https://www.nj.gov/drbc/about/budget/

From L to R: DRBC's Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, Jeremy Conkle & Bailey Adams; NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, DRBC's Elaine Panuccio and Jake Bransky and Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert Steinmann. Photo by the DRBC.	Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman gives remarks in support of DRBC programs that protect the health of the Delaware River. Photo by the DRBC.	NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette gives remarks in support of CPF for the DRBC, thanking Congresswoman Watson Coleman for her leadership. Photo by the DRBC.
DRBC's Kristen Bowman Kavanagh (at podium) welcomes everyone to the Delaware River Waterfront in Trenton, N.J. Photo by the DRBC.	Ewing Township Mayor Bert Steinmann gives remarks in support of CPF for the DRBC. Photo by the DRBC.	Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora (left) and U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. Photo by the DRBC.
DRBC Science and Water Quality Management staff gives a water quality monitoring demo before the speakers' remarks. Photo by the DRBC.	DRBC staff discusses some of the various monitoring tools and techniques used to collect water quality data. Photo by the DRBC.	DRBC staff discusses some of the various monitoring tools and techniques used to collect water quality data. Photo by the DRBC.