From L to R: N.J. Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (NJ-15), Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, Ewing Township Mayor Bert H. Steinmann, U.S. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), DRBC Exec. Dir. Steve Tambini, DRBC Deputy Exec. Dir. Kristen Bowman Kavanagh and N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer. Photo by the DRBC.

Last week, DRBC staff was honored to welcome U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Trenton Mayor W. Reed Gusciora, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner Jane Rosenblatt Birkhofer, Ewing Township Mayor Bert Steinmann, N.J. Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (NJ-15) and regional partners to DRBC's office to celebrate the Commission receiving federal Community Project Funding (CPF), in the amount of $715,000, for federal fiscal year 2024.

"Clean water is not a luxury, it's a basic human right,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). "This $715,000 federal investment will help ensure the over 14 million Americans who rely on the Delaware River Basin for drinking, agriculture, and industrial usage continue to have access to a clean source of water. It will support the 600,000 jobs and $20 billion in industrial activity that the river facilitates. And it will make our communities more resilient to the growing impacts of climate change. I am so grateful to the Delaware River Basin Commission for the crucial work they do to support our communities. And to the Biden-Harris Administration for making this investment possible."

  • View additional quotes in the press release: https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rep-watson-coleman-gathers-community-partners-to-celebrate-715000-in-funding-for-delaware-river-basin-commission


The CPF represents the federal government's annual signatory apportionment of the DRBC's budget. We are grateful to Rep. Watson Coleman for securing this funding for the DRBC for the second consecutive year. Funding supports DRBC programs that provide clean, resilient, sustainable & secure water resources for over 14 million people and wildlife. Together with prior funding, the DRBC has committed to set aside a total of $1 million to advance climate resilience.

Before the press conference, staff had the opportunity to showcase two tools we use to monitor water quality to Representative Watson Coleman - a drone for aerial river monitoring and passive samplers for harmful algal blooms. We also discussed our ongoing PFAS monitoring work, including a project we're collaborating on with the New Jersey Water Supply Authority to track down PFAS in the Delaware and Raritan Canal. 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.

Yesterday's event also featured our first Trenton Community Day, which brought together regional partners to network, hear about available funding opportunities from the Representative's staff and learn from each other about the ways folks are working toward more inclusive and climate-resilient communities. The roundtable highlighted existing collaborations and, hopefully, fostered the creation of new ones. Special thanks to our community partner presenters, Geoffrey Goll of Princeton Hydro, Jay Watson of New Jersey Conservation Foundation and Latarsha Burke of the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County, for sharing their impactful work in Trenton, and to all who took time out of their day to participate.

The DRBC is grateful for the support of our local, state and federal elected officials, agency and community partners in our work to manage, protect and improve the water resources of the Delaware River Basin. One of DRBC's strengths is its ability to connect across sectors to address shared challenges and meet shared goals. Trenton Community Day was indicative of this and how the Delaware River too serves as a connector, bringing folks together around our shared interest in the river's future. We look forward to continued collaboration!

• DRBC gets $715,000 in federal money through U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (Delaware Currents, October 11, 2024)

Rep. Watson Coleman gives her remarks at the podium. Photo courtesy of Rep. Watson Coleman's office.	Rep. Watson Coleman gives her remarks at the podium. Photo by the DRBC.	From L to R: Rep. Watson Coleman, DRBC Deputy Exec. Dir. Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, DRBC Water Resource Scientist Elaine Panuccio and DRBC Manager of Water Quality Assessment John Yagecic, P.E. Photo by the DRBC.
DRBC Water Resource Scientist Elaine Panuccio (L) talks with NJ-12 District Director Jordan Lewis and Rep. Watson Coleman about our monitoring program to test for harmful algal blooms. Photo by the DRBC.	L to R: DRBC Sr. Chemist/Toxicologist Dr. Jeremy Conkle and DRBC Manager of Water Quality Assessment John Yagecic show the DRBC's drone to Rep. Watson Coleman. Photo courtesy of Rep. Watson Coleman's office.	Kari Osmond (standing, by screen) of Rep. Watson Coleman's office introduces partners to the Community Project Funding Program. Photo by the DRBC.
Jay Watson, Co-Executive Director, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, introduces partners to some of NJCF's work planting trees and increasing park space in Trenton. Photo by the DRBC.	Latarsha Burke, CEO/Executive Director of The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County, talks about how her organization leans into partnerships to maximize impact. Photo by the DRBC.	Geoffrey M. Goll, PE, President, Princeton Hydro, introduces partners to his business, describing a few of its partner projects in the region addressing flooding and erosion. Photo by the DRBC.