Susquehanna River Basin Commission marks 50th year by looking ahead

This photo, taken at the Shikellamy overlook of the Susquehanna River near Sunbury, was provided by Patricia Little.

​​On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) celebrates its 50th anniversary – a milestone moment and halfway marker in a 100-year compact kicked off in early 1971.

“The compact was signed by President Richard Nixon on Christmas Eve of 1970, with an effective date of 30 days later,” said SRBC Executive Director Andrew Dehoff. “The commission is a partnership between three states (Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland) and the federal government to cooperatively manage the water-based resources.”

By law, the commission consists of the governors of each of the three states and the president – and then each of those people appoint someone to serve on his/her behalf.
“They meet quarterly to make decisions about water uses that are proposed throughout the basin, about some long-term planning and other initiatives,” said Dehoff.

Between those quarterly meetings, the SRBC’s staff of approximately 65 professionals review water-usage proposals, collecting data and gathering feedback on each request. The team consists of on-staff specialists such as engineers, hydrologists, chemists, biologists, ecologists, data specialists -- to organize and analyze collected information – and attorneys.

“We look at each request based on how much water is being requested, where it is and what the source of water is. We look at other water use that is occurring in the area. We look at how the demand relates to what may be available in the area or not available, like during a drought,” said Dehoff. “We reach out and coordinate with partner agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection and the (Pennsylvania) Fish and Boat Commission. We also put out information to the public, sharing what is proposed and to gather input the public may have.”

When that process is finished, SRBC staff takes the composite information and expert recommendations to the commissioners and they decide whether or not to proceed with that approval.

“There can be different viewpoints along the way, along with different experiences. Some people have differing views on how much water is available, or how much water is being used by a particular industry or even a different perspective on what one million gallons of water looks like,” said Dehoff. “There is a lot to balance, but it all comes down to science, which is where we rely most heavily in developing recommendations.

“What does the science tell us about the resource and the potential availability of water and the potential impacts of using some of that water? What does it tell us about what happens to that water – is it entirely consumed in the product or does some of it return and if so, where does it return?”

The SRBC received its first test very early in the 100-year compact. A year after its founding in 1971, Hurricane Agnes devastated the Susquehanna River basin.

“That led to the SRBC taking the lead role in warnings and forecasts capabilities. We also developed the first inundation maps that showed flooded areas that correlate to a forecast that is being issued,” he said.

Also early in its tenure, the SRBC developed routine water quality monitoring, looking at nutrients and sediments to best inform officials in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland about impairments on the river and how to address them.

“It included covering areas where fracking was occurring so we could track any impacts from that activity,” said Dehoff. “More lately, we’ve expanded that to other areas of the basin.”

According to Dehoff, the SRBC played a key role in restoration for some of the legacy coal mining issues, relocating resources to treat and restore waterways, “so now we are seeing wild trout in streams that supported no life at all in 100 years.”

The group is also involved in developing water use policies so individual and business needs can be met while also covering the needs of the ecosystem, Dehoff added.

“We have been an important leader at times in areas where leadership was needed while staying on the cutting edge of technology,” he said.

Looking ahead to the remaining 50 years of the SRBC compact, Dehoff and his team recently released a new comprehensive plan that will guide the commission’s activities. He urges everyone to take some time to review the plan before Feb. 19 and offer feedback on how they can best make changes and serve the greater river basin.

“That revised plan looks at things we think are appropriate roles for the commission, things that are needed in the basin in the coming decades,” he said.

Andrew Dehoff is the executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission

Check out the full podcast interview with Andrew Dehoff:

Check out our growing library of podcast interviews with outdoor influencers from throughout our watershed by clicking here. Our list of guests include:

• Don Shappelle, musician, on creating river songs with young people and the Songs of the Susquehanna project.
• John Levitsky, water specialist for the Luzerne County Conservation District, on abandoned mine drainage at the Plainsville Borehole Discharge.
• Cain Chamberlin, of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, on the Tunkhannock Creek's nomination for River of the Year.
• R. John Dawes, the creator of the Water Report app that allows anglers and others to share their catches and help us track health trends in our fish species.
• Kathleen Lavelle, of Trout Unlimited, on a unique fish relocation project she helped oversee, trout-based trends in the region and the importance of volunteering
• John Dawes, of the Foundation for PA Watersheds, on assisting smaller watershed groups, acid mine drainage and other waterway threats.
• ProtectNorthernPA.org founder Diana Dakey on her concerns about the production and transportation of liquified natural gas.
• Teen kayaker and angler Lila Oast on how kayaking has opened doors for her.
• Outdoor educator Jon Beam and Audubon member Gary Metzger with an overview of duck species and the threats they face in our watershed.
• Renee Carey of the Northcentral Pa. Conservancy on the importance of preservation and public access.
• Benjamin Hayes, director of Bucknell University's Watershed Sciences and Engineering Program on health of the river.
• Salmon angler Steve Kurian on benefits of clean water and fresh fish.
• Educator Van Wagner on his unique Eels in the Classroom program and the importance of eels.
• Waterkeeper Alliance Executive Director Marc Yaggi on growing up in the Middle Susquehanna watershed and his quest in the fight for clean water.
• Outdoor educator Jolene Connelly on the importance of getting youth and women on our waterways
• Diving instructor Rich Best on trends, treasures and threats under the Susquehanna
• Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers spokesperson Tali MacArthur on the importance of assisting a watershed group
• Falconer Mike Dupuy on raptors of our river and the threats they face
• Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Mike Parker on the agency's efforts during COVID and the historic unexpected start to trout season
• Wesley Forest Camp director Emily Sliski with stories of getting young people engaged with nature at camp and on the Penns Creek
• Professional angler and YouTuber John Oast on how he got his start, what he has learned along the way and observations of the river
• Biologist David Lieb on the concerning trend of exotic crayfish eradicating native species in our watershed and how it is impacting the ecosystem

The four key areas the commission is focused on in the coming years include:

1. Water supply. “What do we need to do to insure there are appropriate supplies of water?” said Dehoff.

2. Water quality. “We know there are impairments out there. What can the commission do to address those impairments?”

3. Floods and droughts. “We know they are coming, we just don’t know when and how bad they will be. We have a role in helping communities increase their resiliency and be prepared for those events.”

4. Watershed management. “The interaction between land and water is so important to things like storm water management and groundwater recharge.”

Over those areas, Dehoff mentioned that there are three overarching considerations that can’t be ignored.

“That includes the use of data and technology, which helps drive much of what we do. Second is climate change and how that will impact our activities,” he said. “The third is environmental justice – recognizing there are underserved communities that have had some inequalities in the past to accessing clean water and recreational activities.”

As with each element of the SRBC, Dehoff urges public interaction – not only on the proposed comprehensive plan, but also in discussing permit requests and helping experts develop the best recommendations to give commissioners at their quarterly meetings.

“The phone lines are always open, and we also have a very robust website that keeps people informed of what is coming before commissioners each quarterly meeting. We encourage people to take advantage of the public commenting periods for various water use requests,” he said. “We are also on social media, particularly Twitter. I would encourage people to follow us there. We also, through these forums, announce reports that detail the work we are doing and the information we are collecting in the basin.”
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For more information on the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, visit www.srbc.net