The Coalition and its partners successfully advocated for the New York FY25 state budget to reflect the importance of the upper region of the watershed by securing $350,000 to implement a watershed wide restoration program to help implement the federal Delaware River Basin Restoration Program.  

While this funding will lift up crucial projects and protection efforts in the region, the Coalition will continue to encourage state investment into the Upper Delaware region, setting the stage for projects that protect habitat, water quality, and the surrounding communities.

Additionally, CDRW State Lead, Friends of the Upper Delaware (FUDR), continues to defend against cuts to the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and diversions of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund for agency operations.

New York State voters approved  the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act in November 2022, creating a critical source of reoccurring funding. This funding will go to restoring New York’s wetlands, improving water quality, making fisheries more sustainable, and much more.

The Coalition played a meaningful role in advocating for its passage through interaction with state legislators representing the Upper Delaware River region and partnering with a broad coalition of supporters.  Focus now turns to implementation and ensuring that Delaware River watershed communities receive their fair share of the funding.

In August 2023, CDRW members stood with Representative Marc Molinaro to celebrate the opening of a refurbished Highland Access boat ramp on State Route 97.  Since 2018, the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program has invested over $5 million in grants in the New York portion of the Delaware River watershed to support projects that improve water quality and wildlife habitat, strengthen climate resiliency and flood mitigation, and enhance river related recreational opportunities.

The Coalition and its partners are seeking upgrades to classifications for trout streams  in the Upper Delaware River region for increased protection to these critical waterways.

State Lead, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, is partnering with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to educate communities on the upcoming Delaware Aqueduct shutdown and the implications for downstream flows and habitat impacts.

The FFMP allows for release from New York City reservoirs to account for water needs in the city and to ensure quality habitat and recreation downstream.

The Coalition and its partners will work to ensure that the implementation of the 2017 FFMP provides maximum protections for the Upper Delaware River watershed. CDRW will support the implementation of the FFMP by emphasizing the positive impact that the 2017 FFMP has on downstream communities in the Upper Delaware region when adhered to, and by monitoring and highlighting research regarding how the reservoir release is impacting stream quality. Work is currently underway to develop the framework for the five-year renewal of the FFMP.

The history of land acquisition by the federal government in the Upper Delaware region and across the country depicts an unjust means to preserve land.

The Coalition will advocate for an increase in state-led land preservation that includes support for voluntary, private land conservation methods, such as conservation easements. The Coalition and its partners will also advocate for policies that further improve and protect already conserved land, water, and wetlands at the state and federal levels, including securing strong regulations for recently passed freshwater wetlands legislation.