In the Delaware Basin, climate change is causing increased precipitation and increased temperatures, demanding more from our already outdated water infrastructure. The recent federal investments in the water sector present an opportunity to upgrade systems in a way that increases resiliency to climate change for the rivers and communities most affected.
CDRW Testimony for H.R. 1395 - the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act
The Coalition has been invited to present testimony on H.R. 1395, also known as the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2023. Our complete remarks are available for review below. Don't miss the opportunity to hear from CDRW Director Kelly Knutson as he delivers his remarks on Thursday, March 21 at 10am. You can tune in live to hear his remarks at the following link: https://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=415730
Capitol Hill Centers Attention on the Vital Cause of Clean Water in the Delaware River Basin
Supporting the Outdoors for All Act and Bridging the Park Equity Gap
Shared green space is an essential part of healthy, resilient, and connected communities, yet 1 in 3 Americans do not live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Often, the country’s poorest neighborhoods have the fewest parks. Trust for Public Land and the Appalachian Mountain Club believe everyone deserves quality outdoor space and are committed to ensuring park access for every ZIP code.
The National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant program (ORLP) is an important tool for bridging this park equity gap. Established in 2014, ORLP is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) as a nationally competitive grant program available to municipalities of 30,000 or more residents.
Pennsylvania Leaders Must Protect our Wetlands
Wetlands are the kidneys of our rivers, lakes, and streams — acting as filters that absorb pollutants before they flow into our drinking water systems.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to protect millions of acres of wetlands with the ruling in Sackett v. EPA.
A wetland is not an island. Our nation’s waterways are connected — even when they are not wet year-round. The Supreme Court’s decision to strike federal protections will have profound implications for wetlands in many states, including approximately 400,000 acres of wetlands in Pennsylvania, 296,350 acres in Delaware, and over 900,000 acres in New Jersey.
EPW Committee Advances Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2023
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.