The "Flowing Toward the Future" process began with a series of workshops in April and May 1999. They were designed to help build a shared vision for the future of the Delaware River Basin, which drains portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. Information and insights flowing from the workshops were used to develop a "21st Century Visions and Directions" report.

The Governors' Summit was the second step in the process. Its goal was to highlight basinwide planning efforts and reaffirm the commitment by the four states and key agencies to continue efforts to protect the waters of the basin.

The highlight of the summit was the signing of a "Resolution on the Protection of the Delaware River Basin" by Governors Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey and Thomas R. Carper of Delaware. Governor Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania and New York Governor George E. Pataki also signed the document, but were unable to personally attend the summit. They were represented at the summit by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary James M. Seif and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner John P. Cahill.

The resolution also was signed by: Brigadier General M. Stephen Rhoades, Commander, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region II Administrator Jeanne Fox; EPA Region III Administrator Michael McCabe; and National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Marie Rust.

In the resolution, the governors challenge the basin community to play an active role in drawing up the visionary blueprint for the watershed's future. They also call for the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) to develop a new comprehensive water resources plan for the basin and establish a DRBC watershed advisory council. The governors are asking for status reports of goals and indicators in order to track progress.

Each of the basin states presented a "Flowing Toward the Future" award to recognize a person or persons who have made significant efforts to benefit the Delaware River Basin. The award winners included:

• Peg and Hal Haskin (New Jersey)
• John C. Bryson (Delaware)
• Ruth M. Jones (Pennsylvania)
• Raymond M. Christensen (New York)

The afternoon session included a panel discussion featuring New Jersey Department of Environment Protection Commissioner Robert C. Shinn, Jr., Pennsylvania DRBC Commissioner Irene Brooks, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Nicholas A. DiPasquale, EPA Region II Administrator Jeanne Fox, EPA Region III Administrator Michael McCabe, and NPS Northeast Regional Director Marie Rust.

The final Flowing Toward the Future event was a watershed-wide conference held November 15-17, 1999 at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Philadelphia. This conference was designed to build upon the first two events, helping to establish directions and models for cooperative action that will sustain the river, its tributaries, and its watersheds into the 21st Century and beyond. The conference featured more than 150 presenters and was attended by nearly 500 people over the two-and-a-half days. It provided an excellent opportunity for networking. The work groups formed on the last day of the conference have agreed to stay in touch and continue working together.

The Governors' Summit was organized by: Alliance for a Sustainable Future; Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control; Delaware Estuary Program; Delaware River Basin Commission; Heritage Conservancy; National Park Service; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Partnership for the Delaware Estuary; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Stroud Water Research Center; United States Environmental Protection Agency; Upper Delaware Council; and the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin.

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