The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 ensures continued investment in habitat conservation, clean water, and outdoor recreation across the watershed.
February 18, 2025 - Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Dwight Evans (D-PA) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, a crucial step in supporting projects that protect fish and wildlife, boost economic vitality, and enhance quality of life by expanding public access and outdoor recreation opportunities. The legislation is also cosponsored by Reps. Evans (D-PA), Sherrill (D-NJ), Boyle (D-PA), Dean (D-PA), Gottheimer (D-NJ), Houlahan (D-PA), Kean (R-NJ), McBride (D-DE), Norcross (D-NJ), Riley (D-NY), Scanlon (D-PA), Van Drew (R-NJ), Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Conaway (D-NJ).
Signed into law in 2016, the Act created the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program (DRBRP). Administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), DRBRP develops a coordinated approach to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration, protection, and public outdoor recreation access and activities across the Basin. The DRBRP provides a competitive grant and technical assistance program known as the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF) to support on-the-ground restoration and conservation projects, which is facilitated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
To date, the DWCF has invested $72.1 million in federal funds, leveraging $100 million in matching funds for a total conservation impact of $172.1 million in the Delaware River Basin. These investments have created 268 jobs, restored 77 miles of streams, expanded public access by 6,141 acres, enhanced 1,176 acres of wetlands, and improved 32,522 acres of forest. Reauthorization of this program will ensure projects that restore and protect habitat throughout the watershed continue now and into the future.
“The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program is a cornerstone of conservation, supporting projects that enhance water quality, restore habitats, and expand outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Grant LaRouche, Steering Committee Co-Chair, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. “Reauthorizing this program will ensure continued investments in local communities, creating jobs, protecting fish and wildlife, and securing clean water for millions. We commend Representatives Fitzpatrick, Evans and Sherrill for their continued leadership in championing conservation efforts, and we look forward to working with Congress and our partners to build on this success.”
“Since 2016, the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program has enabled Ducks Unlimited and our partners to restore wetlands and other waterfowl habitats that have an immeasurable impact on communities in the watershed,” said Scott Reinhart, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist. “This reauthorization bill is a no-brainer that will benefit habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife while improving water quality and outdoor recreation opportunities for surrounding communities, and we thank Reps. Fitzpatrick, Evans, and Sherill for their leadership.”
"The economic, cultural, recreational and, of course, ecological value of the Delaware River Basin is beyond calculation. Reauthorization of the restoration program is critical to the future of our area and more than 14 million people who rely on this basin for safe drinking water,” said Jen Adkins, Executive Director, Delaware Nature Society. “It’s a proven, effective way to leverage local, private sector investment in our watersheds and a great example of states working together for the benefit of people and nature. We appreciate the ongoing support of Representatives Fitzpatrick, Evans, and Sherrill, as well as the steadfast support for this program by our Delaware delegation over the years."
"In the northern portion of the Delaware River basin in New York state, the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program has been a sight for sore eyes. Since 2018, the program has invested millions of dollars in water resource projects that provide multiple benefits to people, communities, and environmental quality,” said Jeff Skelding, Executive Director, Friends of the Upper Delaware River. “New York State is chock full of iconic water bodies from the Great Lakes to the Long Island Sound. This program helped elevate the importance of the Delaware River in a crowded playing field. It also helped us leverage new watershed protection funding at the state level that provides additive value to the federal investment. We urge our New York Senators and House members to push for quick passage of the reauthorization bill in Congress and keep us moving in the right direction."
“Preserving clean water is essential for the well-being of society and the sustainability of the natural environment,” said Patrick McDonnell, President & CEO of PennFuture. “Reducing the pollution entering our waters will have benefits for wildlife, reduce the risk of adverse health impacts on people who recreate in the river or live nearby, and improve drinking water quality. It is also critical to supporting Pennsylvania’s economy with hundreds of the Commonwealth’s municipalities located within the Delaware River Basin. Continued federal investment in one of the nation’s most critical waterways is essential. We greatly appreciate Congressman Fitzpatrick and Congressman Evans for their steadfast support and urge the Pennsylvania delegation to help advance reauthorization of this vital program.”
“The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program has been instrumental in advancing water quality improvements and habitat restoration efforts across the watershed, including on New Jersey’s largest lake—Lake Hopatcong,” said Marty Kane, Board Chair, Lake Hopatcong Foundation. “Continued investment in this program will ensure that vital conservation projects can move forward, protecting clean water and enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities for generations to come, and we thank Representatives Fitzpatrick, Evans, and Sherill for their continued support.”
This program is a critical piece in protecting one of our nation’s most important river systems, the Delaware River Basin, which provides clean drinking water to over 14.2 million people. The river and its tributaries flow through nearly a dozen National Parks and historic sites, providing world-class recreational opportunities from wild trout fishing in the Upper Delaware to watching the remarkable bird migrations across Delaware Bay.
The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 will bolster the substantial work already taking place in the watershed to combat critical issues like flooding, and habitat loss—challenges that directly impact local economies, private landowners, and outdoor recreation industries.
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The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed was formed in 2012 to protect and restore the land and waters in the Delaware River Basin. We amplify the collective power of over 190 member organizations and other stakeholders as we advocate for a healthy and protected watershed with an inclusive, unified voice. The Coalition convenes member and non-member organizations, builds capacity, coordinates communications, and advances policy at the federal and state levels. For more information, please visit www.delriverwatershed.org.
Contact:
Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
Meagan Birkenmaier, meagan.schaefer@delriverwatershed.org, 609-330-4883