February 14th, The Coalition joined CDRW’s NY State Lead, Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) Coalition NY members, and other conservation advocates in Albany to show support and advocate for the $400 million NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).
The EPF is a crucial form of aid to support land preservation, air and water protection, pollution reduction, recreation projects, and environmental justice initiatives across New York State. The fund additionally supports an estimated 350,000 jobs across the state in construction, agriculture, recreation, tourism, forestry, recycling, and recreational fishing. In 2022, CDRW celebrated $300,000 in funding from the EPF being allocated to Friends of the Upper Delaware to support restoration projects throughout region.
While in Albany this year, Coalition partners took the opportunity to meet with lawmakers in and around the watershed, including Assemblymember Aileen Gunther, our champion for the Upper Delaware River region, and the office of Governor Kathy Hochul to discuss the ways that the EPF has positively impacted conservation work in the Delaware River Watershed. Advocates additionally discussed the passage of the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which will provide multi-year investment in clean water, air, wildlife and sustainable jobs. New York CDRW members worked to raise awareness for the Bond Act as it was brought to the state citizenry in November of 2022, and members have agreed to unite to advocate for funding from the bond act to be allocated to much needed projects in the watershed.
This year’s EPF Lobby Day in Albany was a great way to spend Valentine's Day, showing our LOVE for the Upper Delaware River Watershed and reminding our lawmakers of the importance of protecting and improving our shared water resources and the communities that rely on them. EPF funded projects in the Upper Delaware River region include:
Monguap Restoration (Rockland & Sullivan Counties)
Monguap Creek is a tributary to Willowemoc Creek. The restoration project is designed to improve water quality and Improve habitat for fish and wildlife.
Little Beaver Kill (Rockland & Sullivan Counties)
Little Beaver Kill flows through the town of Livingston Manor into Willowemoc Creek. The restoration project is designed to stabilize the actively eroding streambanks, reconnect floodplain and restore instream and riparian habitat for fish and wildlife.
Highland Boat Launch (Highland & Sullivan Counties)
Aided in project costs that went up due to COVID. Previous grant money would have had to be returned without the funding necessary to fill the funding gap.
Upper Delaware River Watershed Program
Helps in establishing the groundwork for the Upper Delaware River Watershed Program, to include further development of the Upper Delaware River Action Agenda, establishing a regrant program, and watershed-wide relationship building.