Federal Policy

Reps. Fitzpatrick, Evans & Sherrill Lead Charge to Protect Delaware River Basin with New Bill

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). 

Fitzpatrick Leads Bipartisan Effort to Safeguard Delaware River Basin with Landmark Reauthorization Bill

February 13, 2025: Washington, DC- Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Co-Chair of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Co-Chair of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus, and Congressman Dwight Evans (PA-3), introduced the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bipartisan legislative effort to extend one of the most successful grant partnership programs operated by the federal government and to ensure critical conservation efforts in one of America’s most vital watersheds continues.

Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed Celebrates $17 Million in Grants to Enhance the Health of the Delaware River Watershed and Honors Senator Tom Carper’s Leadership

Wilmington, DE (December 9, 2024) – The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed is celebrating a significant milestone as the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announces 45 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund (DWCF) awards, totaling over $17 million. This funding, which includes supplemental funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is made possible through the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA) and is administered by the NFWF in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

DEC, NYSDOT, and Friends of the Upper Delaware River Announce Completion of a New Fishing Access Site in Hancock, Delaware County

The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Transportation (NYSDOT) and Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) today announced completion of the new Cadosia Fishing Access Site in the town of Hancock, Delaware County. The project bolsters New York’s commitment to expand recreational opportunities on state lands and boost local economies. 

La conservación de la cuenca del río Delaware y su financiamiento son fundamentales

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Proteger y conservar la cuenca del río Delaware, es esencial para mejorar la calidad del agua, reducir las inundaciones, mitigar los efectos del cambio climático y proteger los ecosistemas sensibles de los que dependen la vida silvestre. La cuenca del río Delaware tiene una extensión de 674 kilómetros desde el norte del estado de Nueva York, hasta la Bahía de Delaware y es vital para garantizar el acceso al agua potable a la que tienen derecho más de 14 millones de personas. National Wildlife Federation y Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, instan al Congreso a reautorizar la ley bipartidista, Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act, que expiró en setiembre pasado y que es fundamental para la protección de la cuenca del río Delaware.

Funding for Delaware River Basin Conservation Critical for Mid-Atlantic Watershed, Ecosystems

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Protecting and conserving the Delaware River watershed is essential to improving water quality, reducing flooding, mitigating the effects of climate change, and protecting the sensitive ecosystems upon which wildlife depend. The Delaware River Basin stretches 13,000 square miles, from upstate New York to the Delaware Bay and is vital to ensuring access to clean water for more than 14 million people. The National Wildlife Federation and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed urged Congress to reauthorize the bipartisan Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act, which expired in September 2023 and is critical to the protection of the Delaware River watershed.

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