Elevating the Delaware River Watershed Through Roadside Signage
By Kelly Knutson, State Policy Manager, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
Photo: Delaware River Gap by Sachin Daluja/Flickr
June 2019 New York Signage Stakeholder Meeting
At a time when it’s so important to be connected, despite not being able to be social in person, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) is continuing to work to connect the watershed through roadside signage! In conjunction with State Lead organizations, CDRW is advancing “Entering the Delaware River Watershed” signs to be erected along major roadways that intersect with the watershed’s boundaries in four states.
The Delaware River Watershed―spanning across four basin states (NY, PA, NJ, and DE)―is a prized natural resource that provides 13.3 million people with clean drinking water while contributing about $25 billion to the economy and creating over 600,000 jobs annually. As a lifeblood of the region, it only makes sense to accentuate watershed boundaries and bring attention to this treasured resource.
Signage exists when entering the Chesapeake Watershed, but few exist for the Delaware River Basin. If enacted, signage would promote the watershed’s importance and benefits, helping to improve water quality and public health, the economy, wildlife habitat, and the tourism industry. Increased public awareness and buy-in can help attune residents to challenges like flooding and stormwater management, protecting community investments, and increasing climate resiliency. These efforts would not only benefit residents and business but add value to tourists experience as they’re passing through.
June 2019 New York Signage Stakeholder Meeting
In order to achieve these goals, working with relevant government officials and agencies is critical for success of this project. Each state’s Department of Transportation is especially important in meeting safety, feasibility, and signage standards. Offices of tourism, basin commissions, and other state agencies involved with conservation and environmental protection, as well as economic and community development agencies, have also been invited to weigh in.
Through in-person strategy meetings, CDRW have been coordinating with our State Lead organizations, other stakeholders, and each state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) to identify locations for the signs in each state. To promote uniformity across the watershed, our shared request is for the standard green and white sign that align with DOT regulatory guidelines. However, we leave this decision to each DOT agency and aim to comply with sign size based on speed limit. This request is part of a larger effort to raise awareness and attract attention to the watershed across all four basin states.
In efforts to showcase the successes of installation, the Coalition and our trusted partners anticipate hosting celebratory press events with legislators and respective agencies involved at a scenic site location. Once signs have been erected, partners will work with agencies to develop a maintenance plan to ensure each locations longevity and protection.
December 2019 New Jersey Signage Stakeholder Meeting
Currently, the Coalition eagerly awaits a response on our proposals from state DOT agencies. We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of this initiative in New York with a proposed fourteen signs being erected in late Spring 2020. We trust other state DOT’s will continue to display leadership by honoring this signage request. On behalf of the Coalition, we’re looking forward to continuing this partnership and enacting signage along the watershed’s boarders.
For more information regarding this multi-state signage project, please email Kelly Knutson, State Policy Manager. The success we've been able to make over the last year with the signage project would not have been possible without Joy Bergey, who was brought on as a consultant for this project and made great strides.