The Common Waters program of the Pinchot Institute is a regional partnership of public and non-profit organizations and agencies focused on supporting the development of sustainable communities and working landscapes in the Delaware River watershed above the Water Gap through cooperation, scientific research, education, and technical assistance.

Bald Eagles are seen daily on the Delaware River.

As the major source of water for large cities such as New York City and Philadelphia, the Delaware River is not only a critical resource to local residents for recreation and economic support, but for the 15 million people that demand clean drinking water. An exceptional waterway, the Delaware River also keeps the salt water out of wells in Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton, as well as numerous other communities. The subject of a 1954 Supreme Court decree, its water serves as a virtual and common lifeblood of every community that it touches. As one of the last major rivers of its kind, the Delaware River supports a vital economy, provides biodiversity and habitat to wildlife species such as the Bald Eagle, and has sustained a high level of water quality. From the headwaters in Delaware County, NY to the Water Gap in Monroe County, PA, the Delaware River forms the border of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It flows through nine counties and numerous communities.

Facilitated by the Pinchot Institute and coordinated by Eric Olsen of The Nature Conservancy, the Common Waters Partnership is encouraging an open dialogue and good scientific research in order to achieve goals and live sustainably. As the program moves forward, the Pinchot Institute has contracted with Natural Lands Trust (NLT) to conduct a land prioritization analysis, completed a Common Waters Forum in the local area, began a regional dialogue concerning the proposed natural gas development within the watershed, and begun efforts to develop a source water protection program for the upper Delaware River.

• Common Waters Forum - Community Land Use and Conservation Forum held in Oct 2009
  
• Land prioritization analysis with Natural Lands Trust (NLT) - Identifying high priority watersheds to protect drinking water resources.
  
• Marcellus Shale - Protecting Watersheds During Natural Gas Development
  
• Healthy Forests, Healthy Watersheds - Linking water consumers downstream with resources upstream.
  

For more information on this program, please contact Aaron Lien at aaron.lien@pinchot.org.