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.
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.
House Passes the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act
Trenton, NJ (July 21, 2022) - Late last week in a 220-206 vote, the House passed the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act (DRBCA), included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Coalition applauds the made in order amendment that was offered by Rep Evans (PA), Rep Fitzpatrick (PA) and Rep Blunt Rochester (DE) to the NDAA.
Wildlife in the Watershed: 7 Species that Call the Delaware River Watershed Home
April 4th - April 8th, 2022 is National Wildlife Week - a time to celebrate the colorful and fascinating animals that inhibit environments across the country and to inspire continued protection by advocating for conservation legislation, such as the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. To raise awareness for wildlife conservation within the Delaware River Basin states, CDRW is highlighting seven endangered or threatened species that are native to the watershed. These species, and many more, all play a role in creating a harmonized ecosystem that is vital to a healthy watershed.
CDRW Priorities: The Urban Waters Federal Partnership
By: Erica J. Rossetti (she/her), Urban Waters Coordinator, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Many of our cities and developed areas across the United States face similar issues affecting the health of humans, habitats, and communities: pollution, flooding and erosion, disconnection from waterways and nature, environmental injustices, housing and economic disparities, and the brunt of climate change impacts. To combat such sweeping issues, it is crucial to center the voices of those impacted, empower communities, and prioritize the revitalization of our urban environments.
CDRW Priorities: Land and Water Conservation Fund
The Coalition is excited to highlight many of our ongoing priorities with a new series of guest blogs. We hope this will serve as an educational resource that will encourage our members, prospective members, and the public at-large to advocate for Delaware River Watershed priorities in the coming year. We are kicking-off the series with a guest blog highlighting the amazing work of the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the Appalachian Mountain Club.
The DRBC: Making Connections to the Delaware River for 60 Years
By Kate Schmidt, Communications Specialist for the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)
We’re all in this together.
While this phrase certainly has taken on new meaning recently, I wonder if President Kennedy was thinking something similar 60 years ago when he hosted the four Basin state governors and others in the White House for a ceremonial signing of the Delaware River Basin Compact on November 2, 1961. The Compact, which created the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC), granted broad basin management authorities to the Commission, including the establishment of water quality standards and regulation of discharges.