Bipartisan Bill Would Renew Delaware River Basin Restoration

 A bipartisan group of four members of Congress, led by Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA), is introducing a bill that would continue the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, which benefits four states – Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York.

The program was created in 2016 and is set to expire next year – the reauthorization would extend it to 2030.

Evans said, “I’m proud to be lead House sponsor of the Delaware River Basin Conservation Reauthorization Act. The restoration program provides invaluable support, through technical and grant assistance, to restoration and protection activities throughout the Delaware River Basin, a vital watershed covering over 13,000 square miles in four states and reaching over 7 million people. Maintaining the program is essential to protecting ecological diversity, improving water quality and flood damage mitigation, expanding public access and recreation, and generating economic opportunities throughout the mid-Atlantic.”

In addition to renewing the program through 2030, the bill would also bring federal cost-share provisions in line with the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in two ways:

• increasing the federal share of projects in small, rural, or disadvantaged communities to 90 percent;
• allowing the Secretary of the Interior to waive the cost-share requirement entirely if a grant recipient is determined to be experiencing significant financial hardship.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) said, “As Co-Chair of the Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus, I have long advocated for federal funding for the Delaware River Watershed to improve the lives of our communities and our natural habitats. Without the Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, we would lose out on the critical restoration and conservation programs that allow our Basin and local communities to thrive. I’m pleased to join my colleagues to lead the charge in reauthorizing the DRBRP, so we can continue to carry out the important work throughout the Delaware River Basin.”

Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-NY) said, “The Delaware River is a critical resource for our communities and local economies. As a proud co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional Delaware River Watershed Caucus, I am glad to help introduce this legislation supporting essential conservation programs. I will keep working with my colleagues to protect this great natural resource for decades to come.”  

Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) said, “Delaware is full of rich and historic natural heritage including areas like the Thousand Acre Marsh. Reauthorizing the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act would allow us to conserve these areas for future generations of Delawareans to enjoy. That’s why I’m honored to join my Congressional colleagues in introducing the Delaware River Basin Conservation Act in the House to reauthorize this vital program — so we can continue to invest in our environment, our health, and our future.”

Evans is seeking additional co-sponsors for the House bill. A companion bill is sponsored in the Senate by Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and supported by Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA) and Chris Coons (D-DE).

Original source can be found here.