Water infrastructure is essential to the health and well-being of our communities. Wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, in particular, critically impact watershed health, which subsequently affects the physical and mental health of communities that depend on and interact with that watershed. To track progress on improvements to such infrastructure, maintaining robust data and displaying it in a meaningful way is crucial. Jersey WaterCheck, a Jersey Water Works initiative, was created to highlight New Jersey’s water infrastructure needs and promote investment in related priorities. Members of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed may find this new tool useful in their protection of the Delaware River Basin and their advancement of policies that will bring the Coalition’s mission to fruition.
The Clean Water for Delaware Act: Back in 2021!
In January 2020, clean water advocates from across the state of Delaware were crowded into a small room, huddled around a podium where Governor Carney was preparing to make the announcement we had all been waiting years to hear. State Senate and House leadership were in attendance, as well as reporters, staffers, public officials, and a few of our dedicated Water Warriors and Clean Water Alliance members. You could feel the excited buzz of anticipation throughout the room. When Governor Carney declared his commitment to dedicating $50 million in his budget for clean water initiatives and his support for House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst’s enabling legislation, the Clean Water for Delaware Act, the crowd responded with gratitude and earnest applause.
Clean Water Advocacy Doesn’t Stop for a Pandemic: NJ Statehouse Education Week Goes Virtual
With an unpredictable and challenging year at a close, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed has continued to adapt in order to advance critical protections for the watershed. During a traditional Statehouse Education Day, organizations across New Jersey would typically make their way to Trenton to meet face-to-face with state senators and assembly members. However, due to Covid-19, Coalition member organizations connected with legislators for a highly successful and first-ever virtual New Jersey Statehouse Education Week.
Reflecting on Successful Advocacy: NJ’s Comprehensive Plastics Law
It’s official. New Jersey is now home to the strongest, most comprehensive single-use plastics bill in the nation. When May 2022 rolls around, stores and food service businesses are prohibited from providing single-use plastic bags to customers. Paper bags will be prohibited in stores over 2,500 square feet. Disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam will also be banned. Additionally, the law also restricts food-service businesses from providing plastic straws, unless requested by a customer, beginning in November 2021.
CDRW's New Policy Priority Nominating Process for 2021
It’s hard to believe we’re closing in on likely the most unprecedented year of our lifetimes. Although the pandemic posed several obstacles to our work, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed was still able to succeed on several fronts. From implementing watershed signage in two basin states to celebrating the enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act, together we remained adaptive and motivated.