Wilmington, DE (August 20, 2021) – U.S. Senator Tom Carper and Delaware Governor John Carney joined conservation partners in Wilmington today to celebrate the Christiana and Brandywine River restoration and resiliency project funded by the Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund. Another important step in the on-going work to improve Wilmington’s riverfront area with clean healthy rivers and attractive places for people and wildlife.
Senate Passes Infrastructure Bill: Includes Investments in Delaware River Basin Restoration Efforts
(TRENTON) - In a 69-30 vote, the U.S. Senate has passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Various ecosystem restoration programs are listed in the bill, including $26 million of supplemental funding for the Delaware River Basin to be administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service over five years.
American Rescue Plan Funds - An Opportunity for Historical Water Infrastructure Investment
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides $350 billion dollars in emergency funding for state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments which can be utilized to invest in water infrastructure. Municipal leaders are beginning to discuss the use of American Rescue Plan funds. This is an opportunity for Coalition member organizations to urge state and local governments to prioritize investing in water infrastructure projects to meet the demands for safe, accessible water and sewer services in the face of the climate crisis.
Bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Introduced in Senate Will Be a Game Changer for At-Risk Species
CDRW Internship Experience
By: Kimberly Pelosi, Policy Intern, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed
Over the course of the past three months, I have had the valuable opportunity to work with the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) team as their 2021 Policy Intern. Before joining CDRW, I graduated from Rutgers University where I studied Environmental Policy, but having spent the last five years of my postgraduate life working in an entirely different field, I wondered if I would be able to acclimate to this role, or whether this experience would prove beneficial in helping me steer my career back towards the environmental world.
Pennsylvania Shortchanges Delaware River Basin Commission Again in FY22 Budget
Governor Wolf signed the Commonwealth’s 2022 budget into law, providing less than 25% of Pennsylvania’s agreed upon contribution to the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC). This is concerning considering that more than 43% of Pennsylvanians reside in the Basin, and that the Commonwealth comprises more than 50% of the Basin’s land area.
Introducing Our New Outreach & Communications Manager of CDRW, Meagan Schaefer
Hello CDRW community!
My name is Meagan Schaefer (she/her/hers), and as of June 21, 2021, I have joined the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) team as their new Outreach & Communications Manager. I am so thrilled to be here, and you can learn a bit more about me below.
Born and raised in Audubon, New Jersey, I grew up enjoying all that the Delaware River Basin has to offer – from white water rafting on the Lehigh River to hiking the Delaware River Water Gap. I have always been drawn to nature, particularly preserving and protecting it for future generations.