On March 10th 2020, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and member organizations journeyed down to the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C for the Coalition’s annual Delaware River Watershed Hill Day. We met with every Member of Congress that represents the Delaware River Watershed states (32 offices total). We had 22 member organizations attend and about 40 attendees. The Hill closed 2 days after our Hill Day due to concerns over coronavirus – we just made it! We thanked Members of Congress for supporting federal clean water funding and protection as well as advocating for our 2020 policy priorities some of which include; the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Clean Water Funding and the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act.

We can’t have a healthy Delaware River Watershed if the four states that comprise the watershed aren’t making wise choices for the environment. Every year the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed supports state-level clean water policies and funding in the four watershed states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. By utilizing our State Outreach Lead Initiative, we expand our reach to every statehouse, which is important because bills and policies that will impact water quality, wildlife habitat, and environmental issues occur on a state level, not just federally. Our State Lead organizations identify critical policies that will determine the future of our watershed and then they drive legislative strategy on these identified priorities, building capacity and leading statewide efforts.

The Delaware River Means contest brings people together around enjoyment and experience of the river, and provides the chance to win great outdoor-themed prizes! The season’s contest kicked off on Labor Day 2019 and prompted entrants to share a picture of how the Delaware River means “life” to them. To increase the odds of winning, this year there was two ways to win: secure the judge’s vote or secure the popular vote on the Delaware River Means Life contest website.

In response to the introduction of the Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act on February 11th by U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed - a network of over 150 nonprofits located throughout NY, NJ, PA, and DE - has prepared the following statement from Director Sandra Meola.

In response to the finalization of the rolling back of key portions of the 2015 Waters of the Unites States Rule or the "Clean Water Rule," the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed has prepared the following statement:
 “The Administration’s cutbacks on the environmental protections afforded by the Waters of the United States Rule is the worst in the Clean Water Act’s history. Many streams, rivers, and approximately half of the nation’s wetlands will be left federally unprotected.

It is important that people are aware of the quality of their water and how it affects them and their surrounding environment. On the College of New Jersey’s (TCNJ) campus in Mercer County, students and faculty experience issues with water quality often enough that it has raised concerns about the water they’re drinking and the aquatic habitats that surround the college.

On December 16th, the last voting session of 2019, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) and several member organizations—including the NJ League of Conservation Voters, the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, the NJ Highlands Coalition, the NJ Environmental Lobby, and the Watershed Institute—gathered for a state house education day in Trenton, NJ.

When we discuss the value of clean water, we often talk about drinking water, safe swimming, and even great beer. But as we learned in a recent presentation by Dr. Gerald Kauffman, Director of the University of Delaware Water Resources Agency (UD WRA), the significant history of our rivers is another important factor that plays a role in our water’s inherent value.