Water Resources Resilience Plan
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Background & Purpose


At its 2024 second quarter business meeting, the DRBC unanimously approved a resolution directing staff to develop a resilience plan for water resources.

The DRBC's Water Resources Resilience Plan (WRRP) will connect multiple water resource impacts under one umbrella. DRBC's activities will focus on matters within the authority and jurisdiction of the Commission and will complement the efforts being made by Commission members. 


The WRRP will include:

  • Prioritized actions for evaluating impacts of climate change and other hazards and formulating management approaches to improve resilience and adaptation to a changing climate and extreme weather

  • Consultation with ACCC and other stakeholders

  • Funding priorities and timing


Actions within the Commission's authority may include:

  • Flow and drought management

  • Flood loss

  • Water quality

  • Water use and water efficiency

  • Water equity

  • Regulations
Developing the WRRP

 

The WRRP will be developed in at least 2 phases, with Phase 1 kicking off in 2025. Each phase will include public input components. All timing is subject to change. 


Phase 1 - Framework

  • Timing: 2025

  • Scope: Scoping phase. Develop topics and scope of the Plan.

  • Public engagement: January – October 2025. Broad informal input sought on scope and topics. Online comment card and DRBC- hosted listening sessions.  


Phase 2 - Vulnerability Assessment and Gap Analysis

  • Timing: 2026

  • Scope: Develop a prioritized list of actions and activities

  • Public engagement: Yes, details TBD


Phase 3 – Revise, Update and Share

  • Timing: After completion of Phase 2 (anticipated 2027)

  • Scope: Final plan, refined from Phases 1 and 2

  • Public engagement: Yes, details TBD


In parallel, DRBC staff will continue to advance ongoing climate-related work and the Commission will consider actions as surfaced throughout the WRRP process. DRBC will include updates and work plans through its annual Water Resources Program based on available capacity and funding.  
Public Input Opportunities


Public Input: Comment Card

  • The public is invited to share thoughts on the scope of DRBC's Water Resources Resilience Plan here: https://tinyurl.com/DRBCCommentCard.

  • This comment card will remain open through the end of October.


Public Input Sessions:

The DRBC has scheduled an additional series of public input sessions on the plan, both in-person and virtual, to assist staff in developing the plan. Upcoming opportunities include:


Group Presentations

  • DRBC staff is also available to attend your group or event to learn more about the Water Resources Resilience Plan and the process. To arrange for a speaker, send an email to: contact@drbc.gov. 


Stay Connected!

  • Sign up to hear about Water Resources Resilience Plan updates here: https://www.nj.gov/drbc/contact/interest/ (select "DRBC Water Resources Resilience Plan" listserv, but feel free to sign up for others too!)


Check back frequently for updates.
Water Resources Resilience Plan: Materials & Resources