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DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION
Created by an intergovernmental compact with New York State (including New York City), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the federal government for planning, conservation, utilization, development, management, and control of the water resources of the Delaware River Basin.1
The Delaware River Basin Commission was created in May of 1961 largely as a result of a 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision that established a court ordered formula under which the river states and New York City must share Delaware waters. Its purpose is to bring the resource under collective and balanced control, and to ensure fair usage by its controlling members.2
The commission was created as a political and corporate agency of the signatory parties. Its membership consists of the governors of the signatory states, an ex-officio, and one commissioner to be appointed by the President of the U.S.3 The members, who serve without compensation, are to appoint an alternate to serve during absences, and each member has a single vote, with rulings by the majority.
The primary responsibilities of the commission are the development of plans, policies, and projects which relate to the basin’s water resources. It also adapts and promotes uniform, coordinated policies of water conservation, and encourages the planning, development, and financing of water resources projects which affect the basin. Specifically, it:
DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION
1 DL 53, ch. 71
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 DL 54, ch. 83
6 DL 53, ch. 71
January 14, 1988; January 28, 1988; February 10, 1989; March 22, 1989
Related Topics: river, River Basin Commission