WEST TRENTON, NJ — The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) on May 9 announced a proposal to make several changes to its project-review fee structure and to adjust its water-supply charges annually for inflation.

DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini said, “Project review fees, which were last updated in July 2009, and current fee structures do not fully support the basic regulatory programs needed to manage and protect the basin’s water resources.”

For routine DRBC docket applications and renewals that are processed by DRBC’s member state agencies through One Process/One Permit, it is proposed that the DRBC project-review fees currently in effect be eliminated. DRBC will continue to be involved in the review process; however, a separate DRBC fee will no longer be required at the time of application to the state agency. Instead, it is proposed that DRBC’s costs associated with reviews be supported by an annual monitoring and coordination fee based on the amount of water withdrawn and discharged.