The committee made the same decision for the Delaware River Basin Commission.
Supporters say the action jeopardizes the survival of the commissions.
The commissions work with a variety of state and federal agencies to develop watershed- wide management strategies that directly affect the water entering the Chesapeake. The heart and soul of these agencies is the participation of the federal government. But an aide to the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, which handles funding for the commissions, said river watershed management did not require a federal role. I think that all added up to an inclination that this was a good place to start terminating some federal programs. Budget Director Alice Rivlin asking that the Clinton administration continue to fight for funding for the commissions.