Delaware River Basin Commission Executive Director Steve Tambini Announces Retirement

On March 6, Delaware River Basin Commission Executive Director Steve Tambini announced at the Commission's Quarterly Business Meeting he will retire effective December 1. Tambini has served in the role since 2014.

"Leading and furthering the DRBC's worthy mission of managing, protecting and improving the shared water resources of the Delaware River Basin has been the highlight of my 42-year career in water resources," said Tambini. "It has been a privilege and an honor to work alongside so many talented professionals at the Commission and its member agencies."

Tambini is the Commission's fourth Executive Director appointed since its founding in 1961. 

During his tenure, the Commission advanced significant water resource policy and management measures for the benefit of over 14 million people, including--

-- Providing coordinated regulatory efficiency "One Process One Permit" programs with multiple state environmental protection agencies.

-- Executing collaborative measures to manage significant, basinwide drought conditions in 2016.

-- Supporting the adaptive flow management programs under the 1954 Supreme Court Decree to balance the water supply needs of the four basin states, NYC, and multiple water use stakeholders.

-- Implementing regulations that prohibit high volume hydraulic fracturing and disposal of related wastewater in the Delaware River Basin.

-- Advancing the next chapter in water quality improvement in the urban reaches of the Delaware River Estuary through DRBC modeling, monitoring, technical science and engineering analyses that support the attainability of revised and improved aquatic life water quality standards to meet the "fishable" waters goals of the Clean Water Act.

-- Initiating several plans and programs to evaluate and address the impacts of climate change on the water resources of the Basin and launching DRBC’s Advisory Committee on Climate Change.

-- Implementing foundational water use and surface water and groundwater supply studies to address future water availability and sustainability at the basin wide and sub basin scale.

-- Working to provide more resilient water supplies by initiating studies to examine the development of additional freshwater storage in the Basin.

Tambini also provided steady leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the creation of the Commission’s first diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging plan.

"Under Steve Tambini’s impeccable leadership, the DRBC has significantly advanced water science and policy," said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. "From helping to address and combat the effects of climate change, improving water quality, and ultimately expanding water security for over 14 million people, Steve has left an undeniable impact on our state. I want to sincerely thank Steve for his commitment to public service and congratulate him on his well-earned retirement."

Tambini serves in advisory roles for the Delaware Estuary Program, Pennsylvania State Water Plan, Delaware River Watershed Conservation Collaborative, the Schuylkill Action Network and other multi-stakeholder planning efforts. 

Prior to joining the DRBC, Tambini held leadership roles with Pennsylvania American Water and New Jersey American Water. 

In accordance with the Delaware River Basin Compact, the next Executive Director will be appointed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the full membership of the Commission.  

Additional details concerning the search or selection process will be posted on the DRBC website. 

For more information on programs, initiatives and upcoming events, visit the Delaware River Basin Commission website.  Click Here to sign up for regulator updates.  Follow DRBC on Twitter.  Visit them on YouTube.

[Posted: March 6, 2024]  PA Environment Digest