New Jersey Senate Bill SCR100

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Urges parties to 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree to address ongoing risk of Delaware River Basin flooding.

Impact

The resolution calls for amendments to the existing Supreme Court decree which currently allows New York City to fill its reservoirs to 105% capacity during a critical flooding season from May 1 to June 15. This provision has been linked to the exacerbation of flooding conditions and serves as a call to action for the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware to petition for changes that would mandate New York City to maintain year-round voids in its reservoirs. The intent is to mitigate flood risks by ensuring sufficient capacity in the reservoirs to manage significant rainfalls effectively, thus reducing the potential for downstream flooding.

Summary

SCR100, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, is a concurrent resolution that urges the parties to the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Decree to take action regarding the ongoing risks of flooding within the Delaware River Basin. This river, the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi, flows through four states and serves nearly two million residents who rely on it for various essential needs. The resolution highlights the historical flooding events that have caused significant damage to infrastructure, endangering lives and disrupting businesses throughout New Jersey. Specifically, flooding has been exacerbated by the management of reservoir levels by New York City.

Contention

Despite a unified focus on flood management, the resolution reflects the ongoing tension between states over water management policies. Some stakeholders have argued for more assertive measures to manage the reservoirs' water levels, particularly given that substantial flooding has repeatedly impacted communities downstream in New Jersey. Opponents of the existing arrangement advocate for revisions to the 1954 decree to accommodate modern needs and historical evidence suggesting that changes in reservoir management could significantly alleviate flooding risk. The success of SCR100 hinges on collaboration among the four states involved, particularly concerning water management and infrastructure adaptations necessary to protect the residents and economy of the Delaware River Basin.