Camden, New Jersey – MAY 2, 2024 – The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, which is fiscally sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, announced today that it was awarded an American Water Charitable Foundation 2024 Water and Environment grant, focusing on empowering non-profits operating within American Water's jurisdiction in PA and NJ with educational resources. The initiative will create an online community resource hub for nonprofits and communities to educate utility users on where their water comes from, how its treated, and how nonprofits can foster trust between companies and local residents. The goal of the hub is to equip nonprofits with the tools and information needed to educate residents about how utilities work in order to build trust and confidence in utilities.
The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides
The American Sustainable Business Network recently released The Business Case for Safer Alternatives to Fertilizers and Pesticides. This resource connects agricultural chemical inputs, like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, with harm to soil health and the business solutions that exist to avoid dangerous chemicals like those currently negatively impacting waterways across the country.
Reconnecting Rivers in New Jersey
Mapping New Jersey’s Water Infrastructure Inequities
From flooding near rivers, rising sea levels, and the presence of lead and other contaminants in drinking water, communities across the Delaware River Watershed face many water-related risks. Depending on where they live, these issues impact community members differently. The New Jersey Water Risk and Equity Map contains information to help residents, advocates, and policymakers understand water-related risks in their communities and address inequities.
State Revolving Fund Investments in the Delaware River Watershed: A Look Back at 2023
In the Delaware Basin, climate change is causing increased precipitation and increased temperatures, demanding more from our already outdated water infrastructure. The recent federal investments in the water sector present an opportunity to upgrade systems in a way that increases resiliency to climate change for the rivers and communities most affected.
CDRW Testimony for H.R. 1395 - the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act
The Coalition has been invited to present testimony on H.R. 1395, also known as the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2023. Our complete remarks are available for review below. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from CDRW Director Kelly Knutson as he delivers his remarks on Thursday, March 21 at 10am. You can tune in live to hear his remarks at the following link: https://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=415730
Five Ways a Bipartisan Bill Would Help Wildlife in the Delaware River Watershed
For thousands of years, the Delaware River watershed has been a natural haven for people and wildlife alike. But human development continues to put significant pressure on our native animals and plants. While meaningful progress has been made in recent years, through tactics like dam removals and stronger pollution control, far more needs to be done to stabilize population levels for at-risk species.
Fortunately, there’s a federal bill on the table that would do just that. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), which has strong bipartisan support in Congress and among the American public, would invest $1.4 billion annually to support wildlife conservation led by states and tribes. Here are five key ways RAWA could have a lasting impact on the health of our watershed.
Advocating for Clean Water, Outdoor Access, and Wildlife Conservation During Hill Day 2024
March 13th, nearly 60 members of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed met in-person with Members of Congress in Washington, DC for our eleventh annual Hill Day to educate offices on key policy and funding priorities that support conservation and restoration in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.