WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted to advance the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2023 by a voice vote. The legislation, introduced by EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-Del.), would reauthorize the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA) through September 30, 2030, and make it easier for small, rural, and disadvantaged communities to engage in restoration projects.
The Coalition Celebrates $14.9 million in Grants to Improve the Health of the Delaware River Watershed
Wilmington, DE (August 31, 2023) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced today 36 Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund awards totaling $14.9 million, which includes $4.5 million in funds made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Grantees have committed $20 million in match, for a total conservation impact of $34.9 million that will restore and protect our land and water resources.
Congressman Tom Kean Jr. Joins Environmental Organizations for Lake Hopatcong Tour, Celebrates Investments in Water Quality, Habitat Restoration, and Recreational Access
Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey — Congressman Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-7) joined the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, Musconetcong Watershed Association, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today for a boat tour of Lake Hopatcong in Morris and Sussex Counties, New Jersey, to showcase the crucial federal and state investments in environmental restoration that are currently underway in Congressman Kean’s district. Lake Hopatcong is a headwater to the Musconetcong River, which is New Jersey's largest tributary to the Delaware River.
Coalition Statement on the Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SCOTUS Ruling
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed is highly disappointed in the recent ruling of the Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency case by the Supreme Court. This decision has serious implications as it aligns with the long-standing demands of big polluters, endangering our communities, public health, and local ecosystems.
The Coalition Applauds the EPA's PFAS Announcement
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of a proposed national standard to regulate six Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) ― PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFBS, PFHxS, and GenX ― as part of its Strategic Roadmap of concrete actions to reduce harmful contaminates through 2024.
CDRW Opposes Overturning the Clean Water Restoration Rule
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed strongly urges Members of Congress to oppose the Congressional Review Act legislation that would prevent clean water protections from being implemented. This is a short-sighted piece of legislation will have negative impacts to clean water, wildlife, and human health in our region, which provides 13.3 million people with their drinking water ― more than 4% of the total U.S. population.
Advocating for Clean Water, Land Restoration, and Wildlife Conservation During Hill Day 2023
For the first time in two years, over 50 members of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed met in-person with Members of Congress in Washington, DC to educate offices on key policy and funding priorities that support conservation and restoration in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Previously, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coalition’s annual Hill Day was held virtually.
Sen. Carper, Rep. Blunt Rochester, Rep. Fitzpatrick Introduce Bill to Expand Equity in Important Delaware River Conservation Program
Building off success of the federal spending bill recently signed into law by President Biden — that included a significant increase of $11.5 million in funding for the region — Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) took another major step forward in protecting the drinking water, state wildlife, and restoration sites across the watershed by introducing the bipartisan Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act (DRBCA).