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Regional Coalitions Advocate for Funding Commitments for Land, Water and Wildlife
Delaware Nature Society, along with our partners in the Coalition for Delaware River Watershed (CDRW) and Choose Clean Water (CCW), participated in Hill Week, an exciting opportunity to advocate as a collective on our top funding and legislative priorities for the Delaware River Watershed and Chesapeake Watershed.
Delaware Nature Society serves as the state lead for both the Delaware River Watershed Coalition and Choose Clean Water. Coalition members met with Senator Tom Carper and his office, and representatives of Senator Chris Coons and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester to advocate for Clean Water, Land Preservation, and Wildlife Conservation funding. Fortunately, in Delaware, all three legislators have demonstrated strong support for our environmental priorities, for which we say thank you.
The Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed consists of 170+ member organizations and was formed to help protect and restore the Delaware River, its tributaries, and surrounding landscapes. CDRW works in the four watershed states, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and serves as a unified voice to advance healthy watershed policies at the state and federal levels. Steering committee members include representatives from American Rivers, Ducks Unlimited, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Lands, Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, PennFuture, and others.
Highlighted CDRW Legislative & Funding Requests for FY2023
Delaware River Basin Restoration (DRBCA)
The Delaware River Basin Conservation Act (DRBCA) passed in 2016 with bipartisan support. Increased funding will improve public access, recreation, restoration and habitat preservation, and protection.
Wild & Scenic Rivers
Funding will support restoration and preservation projects throughout 400 miles of designated Wild and Scenic River in the Delaware River Watershed, including 60% of the Delaware River (NJ & PA), the Maurice River (NJ), the Musconetcong River (NJ), and White Clay Creek Watershed (DE & PA.)
Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
This fund protects land in our national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, national trails, and other public lands, preserves working forests and ranchlands, supports state and local parks and playgrounds, and preserves battlefields and other historic and cultural sites.
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
Funding will provide critical assistance to green infrastructure, water quality, and environmental justice projects.
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
Created in 1989, this successful initiative will continue to restore, protect, and enhance critical wetland habitat, protect against climate change-related disasters and provide habitat for critical bird and wildlife species.
Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC)
DRBC manages a river system that supplies drinking water for over 13 million people, supports a thriving economy, and provides critical wildlife habitat. Reinstated full funding will provide water quality protection, drought management, flood loss reduction, watershed planning projects, and more.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act
A request to Co-Sponsorship of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Act to provide states, territories, and tribes resources to restore essential habitat and implement conservation strategies, as described in each state’s Wildlife Action Plan.
Make Your Voice Heard & Join Us
Speaking with government officials is one of the most effective ways to advocate and educate!