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
Five Ways a Bipartisan Bill Would Help Wildlife in the Delaware River Watershed
For thousands of years, the Delaware River watershed has been a natural haven for people and wildlife alike. But human development continues to put significant pressure on our native animals and plants. While meaningful progress has been made in recent years, through tactics like dam removals and stronger pollution control, far more needs to be done to stabilize population levels for at-risk species.
Fortunately, there’s a federal bill on the table that would do just that. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA), which has strong bipartisan support in Congress and among the American public, would invest $1.4 billion annually to support wildlife conservation led by states and tribes. Here are five key ways RAWA could have a lasting impact on the health of our watershed.
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.
Environmentalist Applaud Bill to Include Climate-Change Threats in State-Hazard Mitigation Plan Becoming Law.
TRENTON – The following statements are from Ed Potosnak, Executive Director, New Jersey LCV and Kelly Knutson, Director, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed regarding Governor Murphy signing into law bill 1530, which requires state and county hazard mitigation plans to include climate change-related threat assessments in hazard prevention and mitigation strategies.
The 2024 & 2025 Priorities of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
With valuable input from numerous stakeholders and Coalition members, we've honed in on our shared goals for 2024 and 2025.
The forthcoming initiatives are poised to pave the way for transformative advancements across both the federal and state levels. Let's dive into the overarching themes that will shape the Coalition's efforts in the upcoming years.
New Jersey Coalition Members Hear from DEP and the Legislature About Efforts to Address PFAS in our Waterways
CDRW’s New Jersey members have been busy the last couple of months. We had the opportunity to hear from both the Department of Environmental Protection and NJ Assemblyman Brandon Umba about ongoing efforts to address the impact of PFAS in New Jersey waterways.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are manmade chemical toxins that pose a significant threat to public health, water quality and wildlife. PFAS have been linked to severe human health impacts, including cancer. These substances are present in many of the products that we use in our everyday lives and they have been found virtually everywhere, from the Arctic to the Delaware River.
Fitzpatrick Announces Grant to Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund
LANGHORNE, PA – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) joined conservation leaders yesterday at Tyler State Park to announce a 2023 grant slate to the Delaware River Watershed Conservation Fund, totaling $14.9 million. In addition to the historic announcement, Congressman Fitzpatrick was joined by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff on a tour of the Spring Garden Dam Removal project at Tyler State Park. The Dam Removal project was funded through the 2022 Delaware River Watershed Conservation Fund and is currently in its construction phase.
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.