Paul Swartz, Executive Director

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is an agency with a mission - management of the water resources of the basin under comprehensive watershed management and planning principles.

As an interstate watershed agency, the Commission is uniquely qualified to carry out this mission. Our boundaries are determined by the Susquehanna River and its many tributaries that form the 27,510 square mile drainage area, not by political boundaries. Under the authority of the Susquehanna River Basin Compact, the Commission can deal with water resource problems occurring anywhere in the vast drainage area. The Commission has adopted a comprehensive plan to guide not only its own policies, but those of its members – New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and the federal government. It is the official blueprint for the management and development of the basin’s water resources.

The Susquehanna River Basin, though still relatively wild and undeveloped, has a history of past environmental negligence. Vast areas of its virgin forest were stripped and huge quantities of coal were mined. The land was left scarred by erosion and many streams were polluted with acid mine drainage. Industrial wastes and raw sewage were indiscriminately discharged into the waterways. Years of water pollution, dam building and overfishing virtually destroyed the vast runs of migratory fish that once extended to Binghamton, N.Y.

While the legacy of this abuse and neglect remains, I am happy to report that many of these problems have been solved. The quality of the river is much improved. Strict laws prohibit point source pollution, regulate mining, and control erosion. The Commission is partnering with the federal and state governments to track down and control the sources of non-point source pollution.

More importantly, the Commission is filling in the water management gaps in state water laws. The Commission manages the amount of water that is consumed during low flows, something that no other agency in the basin addresses. The Commission reviews all proposals for large withdrawals from surface and ground water. Both of these functions help to ensure that all water users and the Chesapeake Bay will receive a sufficient amount of water. This not only protects the environment, but promotes economic development and progress for businesses and industries that depend on water.

During my tenure as Director, one of our proudest accomplishments has been the advancement of public information and education. As you preview our mission statement on this web site under the General Information category, you will see that promoting public information and education is one of the Commission’s goals. This web site, our newsletter The Susquehanna Guardian, and many other public information efforts have helped us to get the word out to the public on the importance of the basin’s water resources and our role in managing those resources. We therefore invite you to explore this web site and, if you require further information, to contact our office. We will be most pleased to hear from you.