It is no surprise that the power of the Coalition comes from our 180 member organizations. More specifically the many talented, passionate, and dedicated individuals who work at those organizations and are making an immense difference in improving the health of the Delaware River Watershed - from the headwaters down to the Delaware Bay.
At the forefront of our work are the Coalition’s State Leads - who are responsible for convening and organizing work around Coalition priorities, while also looking for emerging issues that may need Coalition support. Our State Leads also work to ensure that Coalition members are knowledgeable about basin issues and engage with the larger membership to help solve them.
Recently, the Coalition welcomed Katie Perrone, who is joining CDRW as our New Jersey State Lead and works as a Policy Assistant for the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. Katie works with New Jersey LCV to advance policy priorities, maintain and develop relationships with partners and coalitions throughout the state, and organize meetings with elected officials and other key individuals. She graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia with a Bachelor's degree in political science and history. During her time at Temple University, Katie received a grant to research the history of Earth Day and the grassroots environmental justice movement in Philadelphia. Katie also worked for Temple’s Office of Sustainability and completed a local climate action planning internship in Warrington Township, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, Katie received a Fulbright grant to earn an MSc in climate change policy and communications at Dublin City University. Katie is excited to be back in her home state of New Jersey to advocate for the protection of critical natural resources such as the Delaware River Watershed.
Meagan had a chance to connect with Katie to learn more about what got her started in environmental work and what she’s most looking forward to in her new role as the Coalition's New Jersey State Lead.
WHAT LED YOU TO new jersey league of conservation voters?
From left: Katie Perrone, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Kelly Knutson
I have been interested in environmental policy for as long as I can remember and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to join the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. New Jersey LCV plays a pivotal role in not only advocating for strong environmental policies, but also in helping environmental champions get elected to office. It’s rewarding (and exciting!) to work for an organization that is involved in all different stages of the political process by endorsing candidates, releasing environmental scorecards for elected officials, and advocating for the passage of ground-breaking environmental legislation. I am also proud to work for an organization that consistently incorporates environmental justice principles into our work by elevating the voices and perspectives of overburdened communities throughout the state.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT NEW JERSEY’S WATERWAYS?
New Jersey’s waterways serve as an important recreational oasis in the most densely populated state in the country. Thousands of New Jersey residents (including myself!) have grown up depending on New Jersey’s waterways, and particularly the Delaware River, for drinking water, jobs and recreational opportunities. Some of the best hiking trails in the northeast are found near New Jersey’s rivers, including in the Delaware Water Gap. Iconic New Jersey waterways, such as the Delaware River and the Raritan River, serve as defining features of not only New Jersey’s present but also its past. The majority of New Jersey’s municipalities were established in the areas surrounding waterways and these waterways have served as important hallmarks of American history. Millions of New Jersey residents will continue to rely on our waterways in the future, which underscores the importance of protecting these incredible natural resources for generations to come.
WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU SEE FOR PROTECTING AND RESTORING NJ’S RIVERS AND STREAMS?
As a critical source of drinking water for millions of New Jersey residents, it is crucial that New Jersey’s rivers and streams are protected from contaminants such as PFAS. The historic $300 million+ settlement that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection reached last month with the Solvay chemicals company highlights the importance of addressing drinking water pollution in New Jersey. While this settlement is a crucial step to addressing PFAS contamination and beginning vigorous remediation efforts, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that New Jersey’s waterways are safe from contaminants in order to protect the health of the human and wildlife populations that rely on rivers and streams for a clean source of drinking water.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT TACKLING IN YOUR NEW ROLE AS THE COALITION'S NJ STATE LEAD?
It’s been really exciting to join CDRW at a time when the coalition has just achieved a huge win in New Jersey with the adoption of the Inland Flood Protection rule. This rule change updates precipitation data to account for climate change and guarantees that new development and reconstruction projects are designed and built with up-to-date information on rainfall, runoff and flooding. With the increasingly devastating impact that floods are having in New Jersey, I’m eager to get involved with CDRW’s many priorities that aim to strengthen our infrastructure and resiliency to flooding. One policy that I am particularly excited about is our efforts to integrate climate change resiliency into New Jersey’s State Hazard Mitigation Plan. Adapting the State Hazard Mitigation Plan to recognize the impact that climate change will have on future natural disasters is the first step to ensuring that municipalities, and overburdened communities in particular, receive funding for crucial green infrastructure projects to combat flooding and other natural disasters.
LASTLY, A FUN QUESTION! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO DO IN THE NJ PORTION OF THE WATERSHED?
I live about 10 minutes away from Roebling Park, which is a small park right near Bordentown, NJ that sits on the bank of the Delaware River. My partner and I have started a tradition of picking up sushi and having a picnic while we watch the sunset over the river (and bringing our trash with us when we are done to leave no trace!). I have dozens of pictures of the sunset from this spot because no matter how many times I watch it, it never gets less gorgeous!
Meagan Schaefer is the Coalition’s Outreach & Communications Manager