Home > News Bytes > DRBC Celebrates U.S. Rep. Watson Coleman at 3rd Trenton Community Day
DRBC Celebrates U.S. Rep. Watson Coleman at 3rd Trenton Community Day
Five people stand holding a big check. From L to R: From L: DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh, NJDEP's Steve Domber, DRBC's Beth Brown, U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert Steinmann. Photo by the DRBC.
From L to R: DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman
Kavanagh, NJDEP's Steve Domber, DRBC's Beth Brown,
U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)
and Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert Steinmann.
Photo by the DRBC.

DRBC staff was honored to welcome U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), New Jersey State Geologist and Alternate N.J. Commissioner to the DRBC Steve Domber, Ewing Township Mayor Bert Steinmann, and regional partners to Trenton's Cooper's Riverview to celebrate the Commission receiving federal funding, in the amount of $715,000, for federal fiscal year 2026.

"As New Jersey’s sole Appropriator, I have been committed to securing federal funding for the Delaware River Basin Commission because millions of people depend on this resource every day," said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. "We have a responsibility to protect the water our communities rely on and ensure that every community benefits from that investment. Environmental justice must be part of that work, particularly for communities that have faced a disproportionate share of environmental burdens. This funding will help the DRBC continue its work to engage in meaningful research and protect water quality while supporting sustainable water management throughout the basin."

  • View the press release (issued October 27, 2026)


This funding represents the federal government's annual signatory apportionment of the DRBC's budget. We are grateful to Rep. Watson Coleman for securing federal funding for the DRBC for the third time since 2023. One of DRBC's strengths is its ability to connect across sectors to address shared challenges and meet shared goals, and this funding directly supports DRBC water quality, water supply and regulatory programs and scientific research that support the shared water resources for over 14 million people and wildlife. 

The funding announcement was part of DRBC's 3rd Annual Trenton Community Day, which brought together community partners to network and learn from one another about all the great watershed work happening in the region. In addition to the funding announcement, the event also recognized Congresswoman Watson Coleman, who will retire when her term expires in January 2027. Rep. Watson Coleman made history in 2015, when she was elected the first African American woman to represent New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives.


"Throughout her time in Congress, Representative Watson Coleman has demonstrated a deep commitment to the communities and resources of the Delaware River Basin," said DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh. "The Congresswoman understands that protecting our shared water resources is essential to the prosperity and resilience of our region. We are proud to recognize her years of public service and grateful for her impactful leadership and support for the DRBC."

Partners from DRBC's Our Shared Waters Network and others were in attendance, including:

 

DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh (L) and U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman hold a photo for Watson Coleman from the DRBC to celebrate her retirement. Photo by the DRBC. U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. DRBC Executive Director gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. DRBC's Beth Brown provides welcome remarks and thanks attendees for their engagement and partnership. The day's speakers sit off to the right. Photo by the DRBC.
DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh (L) and U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman hold a photo for Watson Coleman from the DRBC to celebrate her retirement. Photo by the DRBC. U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. DRBC Executive Director gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. DRBC's Beth Brown provides welcome remarks and thanks attendees for their engagement and partnership. The day's speakers sit off to the right. Photo by the DRBC.
Steve Domber, N.J. State Geologist, Assistant Director of the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey and Alternate DRBC Commissioner for NJ, gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert Steinmann gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. U.S. Representative Watson Coleman (L) and Ewing Twp Mayor Bert Steinmann catch up at the event. Photo by the DRBC. From L: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary's Kathy Klein, DRBC ED Kristen Bowman Kavanagh and NJDEP's Steve Domber at the event. Photo by the DRBC.
Steve Domber, N.J. State Geologist, Assistant Director of the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey and Alternate DRBC Commissioner for NJ, gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. Ewing Twp. Mayor Bert Steinmann gives remarks. Photo by the DRBC. U.S. Representative Watson Coleman (L) and Ewing Twp Mayor Bert Steinmann catch up at the event. Photo by the DRBC. From L: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary's Kathy Klein, DRBC ED Kristen Bowman Kavanagh and NJDEP's Steve Domber at the event. Photo by the DRBC.
USACE Philadelphia District's Steve Rochette (L) and N.J. Conservation Foundation's Tim Brill catch up at the event. Photo by the DRBC. A view of the Delaware River from Cooper's Riverview in Trenton, N.J. Photo by the DRBC. DRBC's Avery Lentini (L) and Anthony Pontarelli pose for a photo. Photo by the DRBC. DRBC welcomed many of its local Trenton partners to the event. Pictured here are a few networking and discussing upcoming opportunities. Photo by the DRBC.
 USACE Philadelphia District's Steve Rochette (L) and N.J. Conservation Foundation's Tim Brill catch up at the event. Photo by the DRBC. A view of the Delaware River from Cooper's Riverview in Trenton, N.J. Photo by the DRBC. DRBC's Avery Lentini (L) and Anthony Pontarelli pose for a photo. Photo by the DRBC.
 DRBC welcomed many of its local Trenton partners to the event. Pictured here are a few networking and discussing upcoming opportunities. Photo by the DRBC.
Attendees gather and network at the event. Photo by the DRBC. Attendees gather and network at the event. Photo by the DRBC. Attendees gather and network at the event. Photo by the DRBC. A view of the Delaware River from Cooper's Riverview in Trenton, N.J. Photo by the DRBC.
 Attendees gather and network at the event. Photo by the DRBC.  Attendees gather and network at the event. Photo by the DRBC.  Attendees gather and network at the event. Photo by the DRBC.  A view of the Delaware River from Cooper's Riverview in Trenton, N.J. Photo by the DRBC.