Bipartisan Bill Introduced by Caucus Co-Chairs Fitzpatrick, Sherrill to Reauthorize the Delaware River Basin Conservation Program
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-798-1145
Washington, DC – Bipartisan leaders today introduced legislation to safeguard the Delaware River, a vital drinking water source for over 13 million people, and the driver of a $25 billion economy across Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act was led by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus, alongside Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Co-Chair of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus. The legislation is also cosponsored by Reps. Evans, Houlahan, Gottheimer, Riley, Boyle, McBride, Van Drew, Scanlon, Watson Coleman, Dean, Kean, and Norcorss
Reauthorization of the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program ensures continued investment in water quality and fish and wildlife habitat restoration. It will protect communities from pollution and flood damage, while supporting jobs and improving access to recreation.
Lia Mastropolo, Director, Clean Water Supply at American Rivers and Steering Committee Member of the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed issued the following statement:
“No matter who you are or where you live in the Delaware basin, we all depend on this river. Every family deserves clean water, and every community deserves to be safe, strong, and prosperous. This legislation will unite all levels of government with community partners to ensure a healthy river continues to support us all. We applaud the bipartisan leadership. This is the type of vision and collaboration we need in order to continue progress on the Delaware River, and on rivers nationwide.”
The Delaware River is well known for its fishing opportunities. Combined with its tributaries, the river supports more than 60 fish species—popular game fish like Eastern brook trout, striped bass, and migrating river herring among them. That’s a big part of the attraction for more than 500,000 people drawn to the Delaware River annually to boat, camp, hunt, hike, watch wildlife, or just enjoy the scenery.
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About American Rivers and American Rivers Action Fund: American Rivers and its affiliate American Rivers Action Fund are championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRiversActionFund.org
About the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed: The Coalition was formed in 2012 to protect and restore the land and waters in the Delaware River Basin. The Coalition amplifies the collective power of 180+ member organizations and other stakeholders as we advocate for a healthy and protected watershed with an inclusive, unified voice. The Coalition convenes member and non-member organizations, builds capacity, coordinates communications, and advances policy at the federal and state levels.