Section 1. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby solemnly covenants and agrees with the states of Delaware, New Jersey and New York and the United States of America, upon the enactment of concurrent legislation by the Congress of the United States and by the respective state legislatures, as follows:
PART I.
COMPACT
Whereas, the signatory parties recognize the water and related resources of the Delaware basin as regional assets vested with local, state and national interests, for which they have a joint responsibility; and
Whereas, the conservation, utilization, development, management and control of the water and related resources of the Delaware River Basin under a comprehensive multi-purpose plan will bring the greatest benefits and produce the most efficient service in the public welfare; and
Whereas, such a comprehensive plan administered by a basin-wide agency will provide effective flood damage reduction; conservation and development of ground and surface water supply for municipal, industrial and agricultural uses; development of recreational facilities in relation to reservoirs, lakes and streams; propagation of fish and game; promotion of related forestry, soil conservation and watershed projects; protection and aid to fisheries dependent upon water resources; development of hydroelectric power potentialities; improved navigation; control of the movement of salt water; abatement and control of stream pollution, and regulation of stream flows toward the attainment of these goals; and
Whereas, decisions of the United States Supreme Court relating to the waters of the basin have confirmed the interstate regional character of the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, and the United States Corps of Engineers has in a prior report on the Delaware River Basin (House Document 179, 73d Cong. 2nd Sess.) officially recognized the need for an interstate agency and the economies that can result from unified development and control of the water resources of the basin; and
Whereas, the water resources of the basin are presently subject to the duplicating, overlapping and uncoordinated administration of some 43 state agencies, 14 interstate agencies and 19 Federal agencies which exercise a multiplicity of powers and duties resulting in a splintering of authority and responsibilities; and
Whereas, the joint advisory body known as the Interstate Commission on the Delaware River Basin (Incodel), created by the respective commissions or committee on Interstate Cooperation of the States of Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, has, on the basis of its extensive investigations, surveys and studies, concluded that regional development of the Delaware River Basin is feasible, advisable and urgently needed, and has recommended that an interstate compact with Federal participation be consummated to this end; and
Whereas, the Congress of the United States and the executive branch of the government have recognized the national interest in the Delaware River Basin by authorizing and directing the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of the Army, to make a comprehensive survey and report on the water and related resources of the Delaware River Basin, enlisting the technical aid and planning participation of many Federal, state and municipal agencies dealing with the waters of the basin, and in particular the Federal departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health, Education and Welfare, Interior and Federal Power Commission; and
Whereas, some 22,000,000 people of the United States at present live and work in the region of the Delaware River Basin and its environs, and the government, employment, industry and economic development of the entire region and the health, safety and general welfare of its population are and will continue to be vitally affected by the use, conservation, management and control of the water and related resources of the Delaware River Basin; and
Whereas, demands upon the waters and related resources of the basin are expected to mount rapidly because of the anticipated increase in the population of the region projected to reach 30,000,000 by 1980 and 40,000,000 by 2010, and because of the anticipated increase in industrial growth projected to double by 1980; and
Whereas, water resources planning and development is technical, complex and expensive, and has often required fifteen to twenty years from the conception to the completion of a large dam and reservoir; and
Whereas, the public interest requires that facilities must be ready and operative, when needed, to avoid the catastrophe of unexpected floods or prolonged drought, and for other purposes; and
Whereas, the Delaware River Basin Advisory Committee, a temporary body constituted by the governors of the four basin states and the mayors of the cities of New York and Philadelphia, has prepared a draft of an interstate-federal compact for the creation of a basin agency, and the signatory parties desire to effectuate the purposes thereof:
Now, therefore, The states of Delaware, New Jersey and New York and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States of America hereby solemnly covenant and agree with each other, upon the enactment of concurrent legislation by the Congress of the United States and by the respective state legislatures, having the same effect as this Part, as follows: