Maurice K. Goddard

Maurice K. Goddard
1912-1995
An Advocate for the Management of the Susquehanna River Basin

1962 - 1970
Maurice K. Goddard served on the Interstate Advisory Committee (IAC) on the Susquehanna River Basin. In 1963, IAC members selected him as the permanent Chairman of the committee. The IAC drafted the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, which established the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. Goddard worked tirelessly leading up to the legislative enactment of the compact. The compact, which was enacted on December 24, 1970, contains the following language in the Preamble:

"The Interstate Advisory Committee on the Susquehanna River Basin, created by action of the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, on the basis of its studies and deliberation has concluded that regional development of the Susquehanna River Basin is feasible, advisable, and urgently needed, and has recommended that an intergovernmental compact with Federal participation be consummated to this end."

"The Interstate Advisory Committee on the Susquehanna River Basin has prepared a draft of an intergovernmental compact for the creation of a basin agency, and the signatory parties desire to effectuate the purposes."

1972 - 1980
Maurice K. Goddard served on the Susquehanna River Basin Commission as the alternate commissioner to the Governor of Pennsylvania.

Born in Massachusetts. Grew up in Kansas, and then made Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, his home.

Earned a bachelor's degree in forestry at University of Maine in 1935 and a master's degree in forestry at the University of California-Berkley in 1938.
Taught forestry at Penn State University, where he was the director of the School of Forestry. The university later named the director position as the Maurice K. Goddard Chair.
Served directly under General Dwight D. Eisenhower during World War II. He left the Army as a lieutenant colonel and received the Legion of Merit Award and the Bronze Star.
Served as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Dept. of Forests and Waters from 1956 to 1971, and then as secretary of the Dept. of Environmental Resources from the agency's inception in 1972 until 1979. During his years with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dr. Goddard:
Worked vigorously to ensure the enforcement of the state's clean stream and air pollution control laws.
Served as Chairman of the Water and Power Resources Board, the State Forestry Commission, and the Geographical Board, and as a member of the Sanitary Water Board, the Governor's Executive Board, the Commission on Interstate Cooperation, State Planning Board, Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Land Reclamation Board, and numerous other boards and ad hoc groups.
Established a state park system that allowed every resident of Pennsylvania to be within at least 25 miles of a state park.

The Goddard Award

Current and Past Recipients

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