RESOLUTION NO. 2023-07 

A RESOLUTION of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (the "Commission") 

adopting procedures and plans to address a changing climate and enhance climate resiliency in 

public and internal operations. 

WHEREAS, the Susquehanna River Basin Compact ("Compact") empowers its Board of 

Commissioners to "[p ]rovide for the internal organization and administration of the commission" 

(Compact§ 15.l(b)(3)); and 

WHEREAS, the Compact provides that the Commission shall "develop and effectuate 

plans, policies and projects and standards for water resources, adopt, promote, and coordinate 

policies and standards for water resource conservation, control, utilization, and management. ... " 

(Compact§ 3.5(1)); and 

WHEREAS, the Compact further provides that the Commission may "undertake 

investigations, studies, and surveys .. .in regard to the water resources of the basin .... " (Compact§ 

3.5(2)); and 

WHEREAS, the Commission's member jurisdictions are undertaking significant and 

substantial efforts to incorporate into their policies, procedures and practices specific provisions 

related to climate change; and 

WHEREAS, the Commission recently adopted an updated Comprehensive Plan with an 

emphasis on undertaking a review of its policies, procedures, and practices related to climate 

change to better plan, manage, and protect the waters of the Susquehanna River Basin (Basin). 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 

1. The Executive Director is charged and empowered to review all existing policies, 

procedures, and practices utilized by the Commission at all levels and in all programs and 

departments for opportunities to create, enhance and improve its commitment to better plan, 

manage, and protect the waters of the Basin through changing climate conditions. The Executive 

Director will report to the Commissioners of actions taken and tasks accomplished under this 

Resolution on a regular basis. 

2. As the Commission's member jurisdictions undergo the process of adapting to climate 

change, the Commission will review and stay current with such climate change policies or 

initiatives and will develop, as appropriate and in consultation with the member jurisdictions, its 

own initiatives or policy to best continue coordinated water resources management actions and 

advance climate change adaptation and resiliency throughout the Basin 

3. The Executive Director is charged and empowered to assess the agency's carbon 

footprint, energy conservation and efficiencies in agency headquarters and implement cleaner 

energy options. 
4. The Executive Director is charged and empowered to assess the agency's automobile 

fleet and pursue conversion to electric powered and/or low or no emission vehicles, as feasible and 

appropriate. 

5. The Commission will track and evaluate changes in basin hydrology, water quality and 

aquatic ecosystems to enhance planning and management decision making under changing climate 

conditions. 

6. The Commission will advance water use and availability forecasting to better prepare 

for future climate extremes and facilitate sustainable water supply. 

7. The Commission will pursue work to prioritize implementation of flood and drought 

resilience projects and initiatives to increase community preparedness in the face of changing 

precipitation patterns. 

8. The Commission will evaluate partnership opportunities with member jurisdiction 

agencies, academic institutions, industry and non-governmental organizations in the pursuit of 

climate change understanding and advancement of resiliency efforts. 

9. The Commission will seek opportunities to engage with the residents of the Basin to 

broaden general understanding of hydrologic aspects of climate change and promote adoption of 

resiliency measures. 

Dated: September 14, 2023 O.tA ~;JkidMb Bevin Buchheister, Chair 

Pennsylvania