The Delaware River Basin states and New York City failed to reach an agreement on managing the city's reservoirs last night, threatening the health of the people, businesses, and fish and wildlife that call the river basin home.

President Trump released a more detailed budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2018 recommending severe cuts to the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency, among other areas. If enacted, these reductions would result in the elimination of funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Chesapeake Bay Program, and other geographic watershed programs, as well as the National Estuary Program and critical water quality research and support grants that go directly to the states. This would halt critical work around the country that has shown real success in protecting, preserving, and restoring our nation’s waters.

The management of the New York City Delaware River reservoirs near the top of the watershed has many implications for the entire basin. Water releases from the reservoirs are used to meet downstream flow targets, repel the northward migration of the salt front from the Delaware Bay, maximize recreational opportunities, and ensure healthy aquatic habitat. 

The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed was presented with the Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin's (WRADRB) Special Recognition Award for its work on the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act on April 19, 2017 at the Association's 35th Annual Recognition Dinner.

Yesterday, President Trump released his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018 recommending the elimination of funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Chesapeake Bay Program, and other geographic watershed programs – a total reduction of $427 million from last year’s support. This would bring to a standstill these critical programs aimed at protecting, preserving, and restoring our nation's waters.

On December 16, 2016, President Obama officially signed the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA) into law as part of a larger legislative package known as the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act. The WIIN Act passed earlier this month with an overwhelming majority in both chambers of Congress and will provide over $10 billion in federal investment for water resources and infrastructure projects nationally, including this critical authorization for the Delaware River Basin.

The U.S. Congress passed the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA) on December 10, 2016 as part of a larger legislative package known as the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act, previously called the Water Resources Development Act. The WIIN Act was passed by a majority of 78 to 21 in the Senate and 360 to 61 in the House of Representatives.

Watershed constituencies in the Upper Delaware River region in New York State are increasingly adopting a new ethic about the importance of river protection and how that contributes to a healthy business climate in an impoverished area that desperately needs economic revitalization. As the New York State Outreach Lead for the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) is leading the charge in building coalitions, working with landowners, and engaging elected officials in this new dialogue and it is starting to pay off.